The U.S. unemployment rate was unchanged in July at 5.3 percent. In June, the state’s unemployment rate was 6.3 percent, and in July 2014, the unemployment rate was 7.4 percent. The unemployment rate is derived from a federal survey of 5,500 California households.
Nonfarm jobs in California totaled 16,149,000 in July, an increase of 80,600 jobs over the month, according to a survey of businesses that is larger and less variable statistically. The survey of 58,000 California businesses measures jobs in the economy. The year-over-year change, July 2014 to July 2015, shows an increase of 494,200 jobs (up 3.2 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 July was 17,861,000, an increase of 14,000 from June, and up 455,000 from the employment total in July of last year.
The number of people unemployed in California was 1,179,000 – down by 17,000 over the month, and down by 217,000 compared with July of last year.
PAYROLL EMPLOYMENT DETAIL (SEASONALLY ADJUSTED)
EDD’s report on payroll employment (wage and salary jobs) in the nonfarm industries of California totaled 16,149,000 in July, a net gain of 80,600 jobs since the June survey. This followed a gain of 22,300 jobs (as revised) in June.
Nine categories (construction; manufacturing; trade, transportation and utilities; information; financial activities; professional and business services; educational and health services; leisure and hospitality; and other services) added jobs over the month, gaining 82,000 jobs. Professional and business services posted the largest increase over the month, adding 22,300 jobs.
Two categories (mining and logging and government) reported job declines over the month, down 1,400 jobs. Government posted the largest decrease over the month, down 1,100 jobs.
In a year-over-year comparison (July 2014 to July 2015), nonfarm payroll employment in California increased by 494,200 jobs (up 3.2 percent).
Ten categories (construction; manufacturing; trade, transportation and utilities; information; financial activities; professional and business services; educational and health services; leisure and hospitality; other services; and government) posted job gains over the year, adding 496,500 jobs. Professional and business services posted the largest gains on a numerical basis, adding 156,100 jobs (up 6.4 percent). Construction posted the largest gains on a percentage basis, up 7.3 percent (adding 48,900 jobs).
One category, mining and logging, posted job declines over the year, down 2,300 jobs (a 7.3 percent decrease).
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CLAIMS (NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED)
In related data, the EDD reported that there were 377,940 people receiving regular Unemployment Insurance benefits during the July survey week. This compares with 362,157 in June and 426,224 in July of last year. At the same time, new claims for Unemployment Insurance were 45,435 in July, compared with 45,591 in June and 56,565 in July of last year.
