California Unemployment Stats and News
The following contains general information on labor and unemployment stats for the state of California and how it compares with the rest of the nation.
California Unemployment Stats
Current and Historical California Stats Analysis
As of July 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor and Statistics listed the unemployment rate in the state of California at 5.5 percent, which is only slightly higher than the national average of 5 percent. California has been in a positive trajectory on decreasing their unemployment since 2010 when rates reached 12.2 percent (compared to the national average at that time of 9.9 percent). This improvement is linked to both improvements in the U.S. economy as well as intentional efforts by the EDD.
Why Unemployment Stats Are Valuable
By looking at federal and state unemployment stats and data, you can greatly enhance your ability to knowledgeably search for an adequate full-time working position. Knowing which industries, occupations, and even companies are most active in your area can make your job search more productive. and save you time from applying in places or industries that are currently in decline.
California Unemployment Stats Resources
Statistics related to California's Labor Market can be found utilizing the Labor Market Information pages, which provides data relevant to various groups.
Website: Labor Market Information by Customer
- Access localized information on the Local Market Information for Job Seekers and Students page for more isolated statistics on wages, fastest growing occupations, and job search tools.
- Labor Market Information for Employers will provide data that is relevant to creating business plans and profiling local labor markets. You can also find valuable resources for operating a business in California, investment, and information on conducting a layoff.
- Explore the Labor Market Information for Economic Developers and Researcher page to find information on specific occupations and industries including geographic specific economies.
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California Unemployment News
While California has significantly improved its unemployment rate since 2010, the state still has an unemployment rate higher than the national average. Experts believe, though, that industries like hospitality and technology will be able expand enough to bring in new workers. California is also experiencing payrolls growing at a rate of 2.3 percent, which is higher than the national average.
The industries experiencing the most growth in the state are trade and utilities, followed by education and health services, and then manufacturing. The hospitality industry has had to make several cuts over the summer due to slower than normal tourism seasons, but experts believe that this will quickly bounce back.
Top Cities in California with Greatest Job Opportunities
For three years in a row, San Francisco and Silicon Valley were at the top of Forbes best cities for tech jobs, but the cost of living in Northern California is pushing many new companies to search for a more affordable options in other states.
In WalletHub's national list, half of the bottom 10 cities were located in California for reasons, including lowest number of job opportunities, lowest employment growth, highest unemployment, and highest cost of living. The bottom of the list included Stockton (150), Fresno (149), Modesto (147), Ontario (144), and San Bernardino (141).
There was only one city in California that made WalletHub's top ten list. Irvine was ranked at number seven because of its high number of job opportunities available.
SOURCES FOR CALIFORNIA UNEMPLOYMENT