California Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for California rose 0.2 percentage points in October 2022 to 4.0%. The state unemployment rate was 0.3 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in California peaked in May 2020 at 16.1% and is now 12.1 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.8% in September 2022, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.2 percentage points. You can also see California unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	October 2022	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.7%	+0.2	-0.9
California	4.0%	+0.2	-2.1

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 2022

Note: Recessions shown in gray

California Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in California peaked in May 2020 at 3,002,074. There are now 2,225,465 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 741,226 in September 2022, the number of unemployed has now grown by 35,383. California job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	October 2022	Month/Month	Year/Year
California	776,609	+35,383	-386,934

Number of Unemployed Persons