Human capital is a business’ greatest asset. With close proximity to Cal Poly and Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo attracts a young, affordable, educated and creative workforce.

More than 40 percent of our population over the age of 25 holds a college degree or higher. Compared to an already high statewide average of 27 percent and 24 percent nationwide, we’re doing pretty well.

Cutting edge programs like the Clean Energy Workforce Training Program at Cuesta College and new and expanding programs at Allan Hancock College are providing valuable training in jobs of the future.

Cal Poly is graduating approximately 4,000 people annually to help equip local companies. For the past 18 years U.S. News & World Report magazine has rated Cal Poly as the best public-master’s university in the West. And the Wall Street Journal says that the Business and Engineering schools produce among the best hires in the country out of all private and public schools.

 

Labor Force

(State of California EDD)           SLO County           CA
Labor Force                                      143,000                  18,822,200
Unemployment rate                     5.4%                         7.2%

Employment by Industry

State of California EDD            SLO County            Percentage of workforce
Total Wage and Salary              112,900
Government                                   21,600                    19.13%
Trade, Transportation               20,900                    18.51%
& Utilities
Leisure & Hospitality                 15,800                    13.99%
Professional &                               12,600                    11.16%
Business Services
Education & Health Services   12,500                     11.07%
Manufacturing                                6,600                       5.84%
Mining, Logging &                          6,100                        5.4%
Construction
Farm                                                   5,800                       5.13%
Other Services                              5,400                       4.82%
Financial Activities                     4,400                       3.89%
Information                                    1,200                       1.06%

County to County Commuting patterns
U.S. Census Bureau

Residence                      Workplace                   No. of Workers
SLO County                   SLO County                96,754
SLO County                   SB County                      7,480
SB County                      SLO County                   5,045
SLO County                   Monterey County          797
SLO County                   LA County                         726