California Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for California fell 0.0 percentage points in August 2018 to 4.2%. The state unemployment rate was 0.3 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in California peaked in March 2010 at 12.3% and is now 8.1 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 4.2% in April 2018, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.0 percentage points. You can also see California unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	August 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.9%	0.0	-0.5
California	4.2%	0.0	-0.4

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

Unemployment Rate: California, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray

California Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in California peaked in October 2010 at 2,253,816. There are now 1,450,740 fewer people unemployed in the state. California job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	August 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
California	803,076	-4,442	-92,031

Number of Unemployed Persons

California Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	California Unemployment Rate	California Unemployed
September 2018	3.7%	—	—
August 2018	3.9%	4.2%	803,076
July 2018	3.9%	4.2%	807,518
June 2018	4.0%	4.2%	814,209
May 2018	3.8%	4.2%	808,311
April 2018	3.9%	4.2%	815,491
March 2018	4.1%	4.3%	827,755
February 2018	4.1%	4.3%	843,029
January 2018	4.1%	4.4%	852,329
December 2017	4.1%	4.5%	866,372
November 2017	4.1%	4.5%	864,790
October 2017	4.1%	4.5%	866,585