Department of Numbers

California Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for California rose 0.1 percentage points in October 2023 to 4.8%. The state unemployment rate was 0.9 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in California peaked in April 2020 at 16.1% and is now 11.3 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.8% in July 2022, the unemployment rate has now grown by 1.0 percentage points. You can also see California unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate October 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
National 3.9% +0.1 +0.2
California 4.8% +0.1 +0.7

Note: All comparisons are made with October data as November state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: California, National

California monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to October 2023

Note: Recessions shown in gray

California Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in California peaked in April 2020 at 3,018,611. There are now 2,087,361 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 723,589 in August 2022, the number of unemployed has now grown by 207,661. California job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons October 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
California 931,250 +17,700 +132,769

Number of Unemployed Persons

Monthly chart of total unemployed in California from 1990 to October 2023

California Unemployment History

Date National
Unemployment Rate
California
Unemployment Rate
California
Unemployed
November 2023 3.7%
October 2023 3.9% 4.8% 931,250
September 2023 3.8% 4.7% 913,550
August 2023 3.8% 4.6% 895,044
July 2023 3.5% 4.6% 884,871
June 2023 3.6% 4.6% 889,335
May 2023 3.7% 4.5% 883,375
April 2023 3.4% 4.5% 868,102
March 2023 3.5% 4.4% 860,202
February 2023 3.6% 4.4% 841,703
January 2023 3.4% 4.2% 813,818
December 2022 3.5% 4.1% 790,262