Some Interesting Statistics About California’s Workforce

More than 16.5 million Californians over the age of 16 work, according to the US Census Bureau.

Just over 2 million Californians are unemployed, according to the 2009 American Community Survey conducted by the federal government. That translates to 11.3 percent of the workforce – a percentage point lower than the unemployment rate calculated by the state.

Of the 14.4 million women over the age of 16, a little over half — 7.5 million — are employed.

More than one-third of the 16.5 million Californians employed in the civilian workforce – nearly 6 million – have jobs in what the federal government classifies as “management, professional and related occupations.”

Just over 1 million have construction jobs. Manufacturing employs 1.6 million Californians. Nearly 1.8 million Californians have jobs in retail.

Farmers, fishermen, hunters and miners fill 356,209 workforce slots.

Educators, health care professionals and “social assistance” represent 3.4 million members of the state workforce.

There are 2 million Californians employed in what the federal government calls “professional, scientific, management, administrative and waste management services.”

The arts, entertainment and hospitality industries employ 1.5 million Californians.

Nearly 2.2 million Californians earn between $50,000 and $74,999 annually. The federal poverty level is $22,350 – 2.5 million Californians earn between less than $10,000 and $24,999.

Earning more than $200,000 are 721,754 households.

Eighteen percent of the state’s residents have no health insurance – 6.6 million people.

Of the California’s 16.5 million workers, 11.8 million drive a car, truck or van to work. Alone.

One-tenth of that total – about 1.9 million commuters – carpool.

Nearly 840,000 take public transit, 447,411 walk and 832,146 work at home.

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