California employers added 13,600 jobs in November, nudging the state unemployment rate down to 5.3%, according to data released Friday morning.
The state unemployment rate had held steady for four months at 5.5% before November. The nation’s jobless rate decreased to 4.6% last month.
After months of hefty state job growth, November’s slower uptick in hiring can be seen as normal, said Sung Won Sohn, a professor of economics at Cal State Channel Islands.
“Typically, what we see is when a state like California grows very rapidly, that is offset by a slow-down later on,” he said. “That’s a very typical pattern.”
The trade, transportation and utilities sector posted the largest jobs increase in November, adding 9,600 jobs. Manufacturing also saw a boost with a gain of 6,300 jobs.
The largest decrease came in the leisure and hospitality sector, which recorded a loss of 10,900 jobs.
In Los Angeles County, the unemployment rate held steady at 5.1% in November as employers added a net 22,200 jobs.
View Article