State Unemployment Rate Falls to 11.9 Percent Posted on October 29, 2011 SACRAMENTO - California's unemployment rate decreased to 11.9 percent in September, and nonfarm payroll jobs increased by 11,800 during the month for a total gain of 139,800 jobs since 2011 began, according to data released today by the California Employment Development Department (EDD) from two separate surveys. The U.S. unemployment rate was unchanged in September at 9.1 percent. In August, the state's unemployment rate was 12.1 percent, and in September 2010, the unemployment rate was 12.5 percent. The unemployment rate is derived from a federal survey of 5,500 California households. Nonfarm jobs in California totaled 14,098,500 in September, an increase of 11,800 jobs over the month, according to a survey of businesses that is larger and less variable statistically. The survey of 42,000 California businesses measures jobs in the economy. The year-over-year change (September 2010 to September 2011) shows an increase of 250,600 jobs (up 1.8 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 September was 15,916,000, an increase of 85,000 from August, and up 34,000 from the employment total in September of last year. The number of people unemployed in California was 2,152,000 -- down by 23,000 over the month, and down by 112,000 compared with September 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 14,098,500 in September, a net gain of 11,800 jobs since the August survey. This followed a gain of 21,100 jobs (as revised) in August. Five categories (construction; trade, transportation and utilities; professional and business services; leisure and hospitality; and other services) added jobs over the month, gaining 30,100 jobs. Professional and business services posted the largest increase over the month, adding 13,300 jobs. Six categories (mining and logging; manufacturing; information; financial activities; educational and health services; and government) reported job declines over the month, down 18,300 jobs. Government posted the largest decrease over the month, down 7,000 jobs. In a year-over-year comparison (September 2010 to September 2011), nonfarm payroll employment in California increased by 250,600 jobs (up 1.8 percent). Two categories (financial activities and other services) posted job declines over the year, down 8,700 jobs. Financial activities posted the largest decline on both a numerical and percentage basis, down by 7,000 jobs (a decrease of 0.9 percent).
|
