California Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for California rose 0.1 percentage points in January 2023 to 4.2%. The state unemployment rate was 0.8 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 11.9 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.8% in July 2022, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.4 percentage points. You can also see California unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	January 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.4%	-0.1	-0.6
California	4.2%	+0.1	-1.0

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

Unemployment Rate: California, National

California monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to January 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 2,204,850 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 723,589 in August 2022, the number of unemployed has now grown by 90,172. California job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	January 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
California	813,761	+23,499	-180,404

Number of Unemployed Persons