IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
The Inland Empire recorded a 5.4 percent unemployment rate in February, essentially unchanged from the previous month, according to the state Employment Development Department.
Between January and February, total non-agricultural employment in Riverside and San Bernardino counties declined by 12,300 jobs, to 1,710,700 jobs, the department reported.
Trade, transportation, and utilities lost the most jobs during the second month of 2026, dropping 7,700 jobs. Transportation, warehousing, and utilities lost 6,200 jobs, while retail trade declined by 1,800 jobs.
Wholesale trade added 300 jobs.
Year-over-year, the Inland region’s numbers were much better.
Non-agricultural employment in the Inland region rose by 12,600 jobs between February 2025 and February 2026, a 0.2 percent change. Agricultural employment increased by 2,000 job, or 18.3 percent.
Professional and business services lost 4,700 jobs over the year, while construction lost 4,600 jobs, the department reported.e
