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