San Francisco Area Economic Summary
Updated June 28, 2017
This summary presents a sampling of economic information for the area; supplemental data are provided for regions
and the nation. Subjects include unemployment, employment, wages, prices, spending, and benefits. All data are
not seasonally adjusted and some may be subject to revision. Area definitions may differ by subject. For more area
summaries and geographic definitions, see www.bls.gov/regions/economic-summaries.htm.
Average weekly wages for all industries by county
Unemployment rates for the San Francisco
area, selected area counties, and the nation
San Francisco area, 4th quarter 2016
(U.S. = $1,067; Area = $1,695)
Unemployment rates
4.5
United States
4.1
3.4
San Francisco
area
3.0
3.8
Alameda Co.
3.3
4.0
Contra Costa
Co.
3.5
2.9
San Francisco
Co.
2.7
2.7
San Mateo Co.
2.4
0.0
2.0
4.0
May-16
6.0
May-17
Source: U.S. BLS, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.
Source: U.S. BLS, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.
Over-the-year changes in employment on nonfarm payrolls and employment by major industry sector
12-month percent changes in employment
San Francisco area employment
(numbers in thousands)
Percent
5.0
4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
May-14
San Francisco area
May-15
United States
May-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics.
May-17
Total nonfarm
Mining and logging
Construction
Manufacturing
Trade, transportation, and utilities
Information
Financial activities
Professional and business services
Education and health services
Leisure and hospitality
Other services
Government
Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics.
•
May
2017
2,382.2
1.0
119.4
131.6
375.5
100.5
145.2
469.8
349.2
275.2
87.5
327.3
Change from May
2016 to May 2017
Number
Percent
45.0
0.0
8.3
0.8
4.6
2.4
3.5
2.1
9.7
5.0
2.1
6.5
1.9
0.0
7.5
0.6
1.2
2.4
2.5
0.4
2.9
1.9
2.5
2.0
Over-the-year changes in the selling prices received by
producers for selected industries nationwide
Over-the-year change in the prices paid by urban
consumers for selected categories
12-month percent change in CPI-U, April 2017
12.0
10.8
10.0
2.0
3.8
0.0
2.2
2.0
0.0
4.0
San Francisco area
U.S. city average
6.0
12-month percent changes in PPI
6.0
9.3
8.0
4.0
Percent
8.0
1.2
All Items
-2.0
0.5
Food
General freight trucking
Hospitals
Hotels (exc casino hotels) and motels
-4.0
Energy
-6.0
May-14
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Price Index.
Average annual spending and percent distribution for
selected categories
San Francisco area average annual expenditures 2014-15
May-15
San Francisco
area
Total, all occupations
All other
$12,663
17.7%
Housing
$26,483
37.1%
Healthcare
$4,685
6.6%
Food
$8,612
12.1%
Transportation
$9,911
13.9%
Total:
$71,433
Employer costs per hour worked for wages and
selected employee benefits by geographic division
Total compensation
Wages and salaries
Total benefits
Paid leave
Vacation
Supplemental pay
Insurance
Retirement and savings
Legally required benefits
United
States
$33.23
$23.86
Lawyers
85.04
67.25
Human resources managers
73.85
57.79
Registered nurses
60.37
34.70
Economists
55.99
54.26
Computer programmers
51.30
40.95
Accountants and auditors
43.38
36.89
Graphic designers
32.74
25.14
Crane and tower operators
30.16
26.58
Machinists
25.22
20.78
Construction laborers
24.95
18.22
Retail salespersons
15.50
13.07
Cooks, fast food
11.62
9.89
Source: U.S. BLS, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2015.
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Expenditure Survey.
Private industry, March 2017
May-17
Average hourly wages for selected occupations
Occupation
Personal
insurance &
pensions
$9,079
12.7%
May-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Producer Price Index.
Pacific (1)
$36.78
25.75
11.02
2.51
1.26
0.93
2.84
1.62
3.13
(1) Pacific includes AK, CA, HI, OR, and WA.
Source: U.S. BLS, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation.
United
States
$33.11
23.06
10.06
2.30
1.18
1.17
2.65
1.34
2.60
Over-the-year changes in wages and salaries
Percent
6.0
12-month percent changes in ECI
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
Mar-14
San Francisco area
Mar-15
Source: U.S. BLS, Employment Cost Index.
Western Information Office • [email protected] • https://www.bls.gov/regions/west • 415-625-2270
United States
Mar-16
Mar-17