The U.S. unemployment rate decreased 0.1 percentage point in October to 4.9 percent, and employers nationwide added 161,000 nonfarm payroll jobs.
In October 2015, California’s unemployment rate was 5.9 percent. The unemployment rate is derived from a federal survey of 5,500 California households.
Nonfarm jobs in California totaled 16,586,800 in October, 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 change, October 2015 to October 2016, shows an increase of 389,500 jobs (up 2.4 percent).
EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT IN CALIFORNIA
The federal household survey, done with a smaller sample than the survey of employers, shows an increase in the number of employed Californians over both the month and year. It estimates the number of Californians holding jobs in October was 18,369,000, an increase of 91,000 from September, and up 518,000 from the employment total in October of last year.
The number of unemployed Californian’s was 1,069,000 in October – down by 2,000 over the month, and down by 59,000 compared with October of last year.
PAYROLL EMPLOYMENT DETAIL (SEASONALLY ADJUSTED)
EDD’s payroll employment report (wage and salary jobs) in the nonfarm industries of California totaled 16,586,800 in October, a net gain of 31,200 jobs from September. This followed a revised gain of 36,000 jobs in September.
Month-over Job Gains
Eight of California’s eleven industry sectors added a total of 35,200 jobs in October. Leisure and hospitality posted the largest jobs increase, with a gain of 10,800 jobs. Two other sectors added more than 5,000 jobs each: educational and health services gained 6,900 jobs, and trade, transportation and utilities added 5,800 jobs. Other sectors adding jobs over the month were construction; information; financial activities; professional and business services; and other services.
Month-over Job Losses
Three industry sectors (mining and logging; manufacturing; and government) reported job declines over the month, down a total of 4,000 jobs. Manufacturing posted the largest decrease over the month, down by 3,500 jobs.
Year-over Job Gains
In a year-over-year comparison (October 2015 to October 2016), nonfarm payroll employment in California increased by 389,500 jobs (a 2.4 percent increase).
Nine of California’s eleven industry sectors added a total of 409,200 jobs year-over. The largest job gains were in educational and health services, up 90,700 jobs (a 3.6 percent increase), and professional and business services, up 81,000 jobs (a 3.2 percent increase). Construction posted the largest gains on percentage basis, up 4.6 percent (adding 34,100 jobs). Other sectors adding jobs over the year were trade, transportation and utilities; information; financial activities; leisure and hospitality; other services; and government.
Year-over Lob Losses
Two industry sectors (mining and logging and manufacturing) posted job declines over the year, down a total of 19,700 jobs. Manufacturing fell by 15,800 jobs (down 1.2 percent), while mining and logging posted the largest percentage based decrease, down 13.9 percent (a decrease of 3,900 jobs).
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CLAIMS (NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED)
In related data, the EDD reported that there were 323,124 people receiving regular Unemployment Insurance benefits during the October survey week. This compares with 362,253 in September and 334,244 in October of last year. At the same time, new claims for Unemployment Insurance were 44,808 in October, compared with 38,277 in September and 46,203 in October of last year.
Source: EDD
