The U.S. unemployment rate decreased 0.1 percentage point in July to 4.3 percent, with employers nationwide adding 209,000 nonfarm payroll jobs.
In June, the state’s unemployment rate was 4.7 percent, and in July 2016, the unemployment rate was 5.4 percent. The unemployment rate is derived from a federal survey of 5,100 California households.
Nonfarm payroll jobs in California totaled 16,784,100 in July, according to a survey of businesses that is larger and less variable statistically. The survey of 71,000 California businesses measures jobs in the economy. The year-over change, July 2016 to July 2017, shows an increase of 276,300 jobs (up 1.7 percent).
EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT IN CALIFORNIA
The federal household survey, done with a smaller sample than the survey of employers, shows a decrease in the number of employed Californians over the month but an increase over the year. It estimates the number of Californians holding jobs in July was 18,212,000, a decrease of 25,000 from June, but up 140,000 from the employment total in July of last year.
The number of unemployed Californians was 925,000 in July – up by 24,000 over the month, but down by 114,000 compared with July of last year.
PAYROLL EMPLOYMENT DETAIL (SEASONALLY ADJUSTED)
EDD’s payroll employment report (wage and salary jobs) in the nonfarm industries of California totaled 16,784,100 in July, a net gain of 82,600 jobs from June. This followed a revised loss of 3,200 jobs in June.
Month-over Job Gains
Nine of California’s eleven industry sectors added a total of 84,100 jobs in July. Government posted the largest jobs increase with a gain of 18,800 jobs; followed by and educational and health services, up 18,600 jobs; and leisure and hospitality, up 15,200 jobs. Other sectors adding jobs over the month were professional and business services; construction; information; other services; trade, transportation and utilities; and financial activities.
Month-over Job Losses
Two industry sectors reported job declines over the month, down a total of 1,500 jobs. Manufacturing posted the largest decrease over the month, down 1,200 jobs, followed by mining and logging, down 300 jobs.
Year-over Job Gains
In a year-over-year comparison (July 2016 to July 2017), nonfarm payroll employment in California increased by 276,300 jobs (a 1.7 percent increase).
Nine of California’s eleven industry sectors added a total of 291,800 jobs year-over. The largest job gains were in educational and health services, up 72,900 jobs (a 2.9 percent increase); leisure and hospitality, up 52,600 jobs (a 2.8 percent increase); and construction, up 51,000 jobs (a 6.6 percent increase). Other sectors adding jobs over the year were government; trade, transportation and utilities; other services; professional and business services; financial activities; and information.
Year-over Job Losses
Two industry sectors posted job declines over the year, down a total of 15,500 jobs. Manufacturing fell by 14,100 jobs (down 1.1 percent), and mining and logging fell by 1,400 jobs (down 5.7 percent).
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CLAIMS (NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED)
In related data, the EDD reported that there were 343,729 people receiving regular Unemployment Insurance benefits during the July survey week. This compares with 330,417 in June and 353,609 in July of last year. At the same time, new claims for Unemployment Insurance were 45,264 in July, compared with 46,876 in June and 42,923 in July of last year.
Source: EDD
