Find Out More About the Blackhawk, San Ramon and Danville Area Economy & Job Market 

The economy in Contra Costa County is ripe for moving forward. The wages there are about ten percent lower than in San Francisco or the South Bay, but that has made the area more attractive to the emerging technology industries, which brings more jobs and opportunity to the workforce.

As a result, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and informational technology are expected to play key roles in the East Bay area’s future economic health.

Job growth in the Alameda-Contra Costa counties area in general has been strong for the past thirteen years. The amount of diversity in the East Bay economy has allowed it to withstand with much greater stability the recent economic downturn especially in the dot.com area. Also relative to the downturn in the technology industry, Contra Costa County has a strong research base, which is an excellent motivation for new start-up companies. For instance, Walnut Creek has become one of the top ten Main Street retail areas in the country.

The County has one of the fastest growing work forces among Bay Area counties, with growth in its employment base being driven primarily by the need to provide services to an increasing local population. Due to the presence of relatively high-wage skilled jobs and relatively wealthy residents, the County achieves high rankings among all California counties on a variety of income measurements.

Major Employers in Contra Costa County

Bio-Rad Laboratories; Industrial Inorganic Chemicals

Bookside Hospital; Hospitals

Chevron Multiple Petroleum Refining

Color Spot Nurseries; Horticultural Specialties

Contra Costa Community Colleges; Colleges & Universities

Contra Costa County Government; Public Administration (Government)

John Muir Medical Center; Hospitals

Kaiser Foundation Hospitals; Hospitals

Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers; Offices & Clinics of Medical Doctors

Kiewit Pacific Construction; Highway & Street Construction

Longs Drug Stores; Drug Stores & Proprietary Stores

Mt Diablo Unified School District; Elementary & Secondary Schools

Pacific Bell San Ramon; Telephone Communications

US Post Office; U.S. Postal Service