The U.S. unemployment rate decreased 0.3 percentage points in November to 4.6 percent, with employers nationwide adding 178,000 nonfarm payroll jobs.
In October, the state’s unemployment rate was 5.5 percent, and in November 2015, the 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 16,603,600 in November, 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, November 2015 to November 2016, shows an increase of 377,200 jobs (up 2.3 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 November was 18,417,000, an increase of 47,000 from October, and up 551,000 from the employment total in November of last year.
The number of unemployed Californian’s was 1,038,000 in November – down by 32,000 over the month, and down by 86,000 compared with November of last year.
PAYROLL EMPLOYMENT DETAIL (SEASONALLY ADJUSTED)
EDD’s payroll employment report (wage and salary jobs) in the nonfarm industries of California totaled 16,603,600 in November, a net gain of 13,600 jobs from October. This followed a revised gain of 34,400 jobs in October.
Month-over Job Gains
Eight of California’s eleven industry sectors added a total of 29,300 jobs in November. Trade, transportation and utilities posted the largest jobs increase, with a gain of 9,600 jobs, followed by manufacturing, with a gain of 6,300 jobs. Other sectors adding jobs over the month were mining and logging; construction; financial activities; professional and business services; other services; and government.
Month-over Job Losses
Three industry sectors (information; educational and health services; and leisure and hospitality) reported job declines over the month, down a total of 15,700 jobs. Leisure and hospitality posted the largest decrease over the month, down by 10,900 jobs.
Year-over Job Gains
In a year-over-year comparison (November 2015 to November 2016), nonfarm payroll employment in California increased by 377,200 jobs (a 2.3 percent increase).
Nine of California’s eleven industry sectors added a total of 388,400 jobs year-over. The largest job gains were in educational and health services, up 81,000 jobs (a 3.2 percent increase), and government, up 73,600 jobs (a 3.0 percent increase). Construction posted the largest gains on percentage basis, up 4.7 percent (adding 35,100 jobs). Other sectors adding jobs over the year were trade, transportation and utilities; information; financial activities; professional and business services; leisure and hospitality; and other services.
Year-over Lob Losses
Two industry sectors (mining and logging and manufacturing) posted job declines over the year, down a total of 11,200 jobs. Manufacturing fell by 8,000 jobs (down 0.6 percent), while mining and logging posted the largest decrease by percentage, down 11.6 percent (a decrease of 3,200 jobs).
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CLAIMS (NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED)
In related data, the EDD reported that there were 358,096 people receiving regular Unemployment Insurance benefits during the November survey week. This compares with 323,124 in October and 355,913 in November of last year. At the same time, new claims for Unemployment Insurance were 54,252 in November, compared with 44,808 in October and 54,438 in November of last year.
Source: EDD
