The U.S. unemployment rate also decreased in October to 5.0 percent. In September, the state’s unemployment rate was 5.9 percent, and in October 2014, the unemployment rate was 7.2 percent. The unemployment rate is derived from a federal survey of 5,500 California households.
Nonfarm jobs in California totaled 16,253,100 in October, an increase of 41,200 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-overyear change, October 2014 to October 2015, shows an increase of 463,000 jobs (up 2.9 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 October was 17,899,000, an increase of 16,000 from September, and up 381,000 from the employment total in October of last year. The number of people unemployed in California was 1,095,000 – down by 26,000 over the month, and down by 271,000 compared with October 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 16,253,100 in October, a net gain of 41,200 jobs since the September survey. This followed a gain of 21,100 jobs (as revised) in September.
Seven categories (mining and logging; construction; trade, transportation and utilities; financial activities; professional and business services; leisure and hospitality; and other services) added jobs over the month, gaining 47,700 jobs. Leisure and hospitality posted the largest increase over the month, adding 18,400 jobs.
Four categories (manufacturing; information; educational and health services; and government) reported job declines over the month, down 6,500 jobs. Educational and health services posted the largest decrease over the month, down 3,800 jobs.
In a year-over-year comparison (October 2014 to October 2015), nonfarm payroll employment in California increased by 463,000 jobs (up 2.9 percent).
Nine categories (construction; 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 468,300 jobs. Professional and business services posted the largest gains on a numerical basis, adding 130,000 jobs (up 5.3 percent). Construction posted the largest gains on a percentage basis, up 7.3 percent (adding 49,800 jobs).
Two categories, mining and logging and manufacturing, posted job declines over the year, down 5,300 jobs. Manufacturing posted the largest decreases on a numerical basis, down 3,000 jobs (a 0.2 percent decrease). Mining and logging posted the largest declines on a percentage basis, decreasing 7.4 percent (down 2,300 jobs).
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CLAIMS (NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED)
In related data, the EDD reported that there were 334,244 people receiving regular Unemployment Insurance benefits during the October survey week. This compares with 343,419 in September and 392,093 in October of last year. At the same time, new claims for Unemployment Insurance were 46,203 in October, compared with 40,821 in September and 52,788 in October of last year.
Source: California EDD
