The unemployment rates in Stanislaus and Merced counties both saw a slight drop in the month of August, mainly fueled by a hiring jump in the farming and manufacturing sectors, according to preliminary data from the State of California Employment Development Department (EDD). 

In Stanislaus County, the unemployment rate for the month of August was an even 7%, which means there are roughly 17,600 members of the labor force without work. It’s a 0.5% drop from July, where there were 18,800 individuals without work.

Over in Merced County, there was a similar 0.6% drop in unemployment from July to August. The August rate was 9.1%, or 11,100 people, compared to July’s rate of 9.7%, or 12,000 people.

Farming jobs made up a combined 1,800 new hires between the two local counties. There were 1,200 in Stanislaus and 600 in Merced. Meanwhile, over 900 manufacturing jobs were added to the Stanislaus labor market, while Merced had 100 in August. Another 100 jobs in the wholesale trade industry were created in Stanislaus County, while Merced County added 100 private education and health services positions. 

The gains came as government jobs took a hit in each of the counties. Merced County saw more than 2,500 government jobs at the state and local levels lost. More than 300 government positions were let go in Stanislaus County.

The health care and social assistance sectors remain in high demand across the region. According to the EDD database, there are currently 1,190 job postings in the sector in Stanislaus County alone. There are 300 in Merced County. There is also a need for retail workers, with 813 posting in Stanislaus County and 233 in Merced County. The private education sector is also making a hiring push with 584 postings in Stanislaus and 256 in Merced.

In terms of statewide statistics, California’s unemployment rate increased from 5.8% to 5.9%, while the nation saw a drop from 4.5% to 4.4%.

Those on the hunt for a job can find resources at www.edd.ca.gov/en/jobs.