California’s November Unemployment Rate Still 12.4 Percent

SACRAMENTO – California’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 12.4 percent in November, and nonfarm payroll jobs increased by 1,600 during the month, according to data released today by the California Employment Development Department from two separate surveys.

The U.S. unemployment rate increased in November to 9.8 percent.

In November 2009, the unemployment rate in California was 12.3 percent. The unemployment rate is derived from a federal survey of 5,500 California households.

Nonfarm jobs in California totaled 13,863,300 in November, an increase of 1,600 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 — November 2009 to November 2010 — shows an increase of 12,400 jobs, a 0.1 percent increase.

The federal survey of households, done with a smaller sample than the survey of employers, shows a decrease in the number of employed people during the month. It estimates the number of Californians holding jobs in November was 15,970,000, a decrease of 2,000 from October, but up 71,000 from the employment total in November of last year.

The number of people unemployed in California was 2,267,000 – up by 11,000 over the month, and up by 40,000 compared with November of last year.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said this about the numbers:

“While far too many Californians remain out of work, I am encouraged by some of the positive signs we are seeing in our economy. October set a record for California exports; California has gained construction jobs for two consecutive months, the first time since 2006; and as today’s report indicates, we have seen a year-over-year increase in jobs in the state. However, these gains are fragile, and it is important that government do everything possible to boost private-sector employment. As they make budget decisions, I urge Governor-elect Brown and the legislature to keep in mind that it is California’s employers who will bring our economy back.”

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