Analysts credit the dip to the annual spring time boost in jobs. 

"Industries such as construction, tourism, leisure and hospitality, traditionally regain employment as occurred in the Sacramento region last month. Government employment also picked up as state and local educators returned from holiday and semester breaks." 

Diane Patterson is with the state Employment Development Department. She says professional and business services also boosted payrolls last month. Job losses were felt in the retail, utilities and transportation sectors. 

Overall, the Sacramento area added 3,000 jobs between January and February.

Statewide, the unemployment rate in February was 5.7%, down two-tenths of a point from January.