California Unemployment Rate Dips

Sacramento, Calif. – California’s unemployment rate decreased to 9.8 percent in November, and nonfarm payroll jobs decreased by 3,800 during the month for a total gain of 564,100 jobs since the recovery began in February 2010, according to data released today by the California Employment Development Department (EDD) from two separate surveys.

The U.S. unemployment rate decreased in November to 7.7 percent.

In October, the state’s unemployment rate was 10.1 percent, and in November 2011, the unemployment rate was 11.3 percent. The unemployment rate is derived from a federal survey of 5,500 California households.
Nonfarm jobs in California totaled 14,406,400 in November, a decrease of 3,800 jobs over the month, according to a survey of businesses that is larger and less variable statistically. The survey of 42,000 California businesses measures jobs in the economy. The year-over-year change (November 2011 to November 2012) shows an increase of 268,600 jobs (up 1.9 percent).

EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT IN CALIFORNIA
The federal survey of households, done with a smaller sample than the survey of employers, shows an increase in the number of employed people. It estimates the number of Californians holding jobs in November was 16,589,000, an increase of 78,000 from October, and up 223,000 from the employment total in November of last year.

The number of people unemployed in California was 1,805,000 – down by 43,000 over the month, and down by 285,000 compared with November of last year.

EDD’s report on payroll employment (wage and salary jobs) in the nonfarm industries of California totaled 14,406,400 in November, a net loss of 3,800 jobs since the October survey. This followed a gain of 38,800 jobs (as revised) in October.

Five categories (construction; trade, transportation and utilities; information; financial activities; and leisure and hospitality) added jobs over the month, gaining 27,600 jobs. Trade, transportation and utilities posted the largest increase over the month, adding 12,900 jobs.

Five categories (manufacturing; professional and business services; educational and health services; other services; and government) reported job declines over the month, down 31,400 jobs. Educational and health services posted the largest decrease over the month, down 11,000 jobs. One category, mining and logging, was unchanged over the month.

In a year-over-year comparison (November 2011 to November 2012), nonfarm payroll employment in California increased by 268,600 jobs (up 1.9 percent).

Seven categories (construction; trade, transportation and utilities; information; financial activities; professional and business services; educational and health services; and leisure and hospitality) posted job gains over the year, adding 320,000 jobs. Professional and business services posted the largest gains on a numerical basis, adding 74,100 jobs (up 3.4 percent). Information posted the largest gains on a percentage basis, up 5.9 percent (adding 26,000 jobs).

Four categories (mining and logging; manufacturing; other services; and government) posted job declines over the year, down 51,400 jobs. Government posted the largest decline on both a numerical and percentage basis, down by 34,500 jobs (a 1.4 percent decrease).

California Unemployment Rate By County