03/29/2024

Reports » Job Reports

November 2015

Highlights for policy makers:

Unemployment Rate Declines to 5.7%; Total Employment Rises 10,900

The Labor Force data for November 2015 (seasonally adjusted; California preliminary) is shown below, along with the change from the prior month:

Seasonally Adjusted California US
Nov 2015 Change from Oct 2015 Nov 2015 Change from Oct 2015
Unemployment Rate 5.7 -0.1 5.0 0
Labor Force 18,991,900 0.0% 157,301,000 0.2%
Participation Rate 62.0 -0.1 62.5 0.1
Employment 17,910,100 0.1% 149,364,000 0.2%
Unemployment 1,081,800 -1.2% 7,937,000 0.4%
Source: California Employment Development Department; US Bureau of Labor Statistics

The related not seasonally adjusted numbers (California preliminary), with the change from November 2014:

Not Seasonally Adjusted California US
Nov 2015 Change from Nov 2014 Nov 2015 Change from Nov 2014
Unemployment Rate 5.7 -1.4 4.8 -0.7
Labor Force 18,988,100 0.2% 157,340,000 0.7%
Participation Rate 62.0 -0.5 62.5 -0.3
Employment 17,913,300 1.8% 149,766,000 1.4%
Unemployment 1,074,800 -19.9% 17,573,000 -12.2%
Source: California Employment Development Department; US Bureau of Labor Statistics

California Employment Development Department’s (EDD) latest release shows on a seasonally adjusted basis, total employment grew by 10,900 from October, while the number of unemployed dropped by 13,100.  California’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined from 5.8% in October to 5.7% in November.  The unadjusted rate decreased from 7.1% in November 2014 to 5.4% in November 2015.

Total US employment saw a seasonally adjusted increase of 244,000, while the number of unemployed increased marginally by 29,000.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, California’s employment growth was half the national rate, while California experienced a decline in the number of unemployed as compared to the national increase.

California’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 14.0% higher than the national rate.  California and remained the 11th highest unemployment rate among the states (including DC).  

State Employment Growth Rankings

Change in Employment, November 2014 – November 2015
Rank Number of Employed Percentage Change Population Adjusted
(employment growth per 1,000 civilian
noninstitutional population)
1 CA 364,712 MS 6.8% MS 34.1
2 NY 231,776 ID 4.0% ID 24.0
3 NC 133,817 TN 3.6% TN 19.7
4 TN 101,288 SC 3.4% OK 19.7
5 MI 81,097 OK 3.4% SC 18.8
6 PA 78,514 DE 3.2% DE 18.5
7 MS 77,580 NV 3.1% NV 18.2
8 IN 76,393 NC 3.1% RI 17.7
9 MD 71,287 RI 2.9% NC 17.3
10 SC 71,202 AR 2.8% DC 16.9
11 IL 59,946 DC 2.6% MD 15.2
12 AZ 59,178 NY 2.6% IN 14.9
13 OK 58,223 IN 2.5% AR 14.9
14 GA 57,224 MD 2.4% NY 14.7
15 NJ 49,416 HI 2.2% HI 13.2
16 FL 48,976 MT 2.1% MT 12.9
17 WA 48,443 CA 2.1% UT 12.6
18 MO 40,867 AZ 2.0% CA 12.0
19 NV 40,563 UT 1.9% AZ 11.4
20 AR 34,192 MI 1.8% SD 11.0
  US 2,033,000 US 1.4% US 8.1
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Between November 2014 and November 2015, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data shows the total number of employed in California increased by 364,712 (seasonally adjusted), or 17.9% of the total net employment gains in this period for the US.  Measured by percentage change in employment over the year, California dropped from 14th to 17th highest.  Adjusted for population, California dropped from 16th to 18th.

Labor Force Participation Rate Remains at 62.0%–Another New Low

California’s participation rate (seasonally adjusted) declined another 0.1% to 62.0%.  The comparable US rate increased 0.1% to 62.5%. 

California’s seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate continues to drop below the previous lows recorded in 1976.  This latest decline trend since February 2013 has been a key factor in the improvement in the state’s unemployment rate, as persons have left the labor force and are no longer counted among the unemployed.  As indicated in previous months’ reports, the continuing decline in labor force participation is a structural change producing comparatively fewer income earners per household, and thereby lower total income for some households that in turn reduce housing affordability and increase the relative incidence of cost-of-living adjusted poverty.  Continuing declines in the number of income earners relative to the economy further has long term implications to the stability of public revenues and demand on public services.    

Nonfarm Jobs Increase 5,500

EDD reported that between October and November 2015, seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll jobs increased by 5,500.  The October job gains were revised downwards slightly to 40,600 from the preliminary estimate of 41,200.    

Looking at the not seasonally adjusted numbers, the change in total payroll jobs from October 2015 saw the largest increases in Retail Trade (72,100) as the holiday season began, Government (23,800), and Educational Services (6,300).  Biggest declines were in Farm (-51,100), Manufacturing (-8,400), Information (-4,400), Construction (-4,300), and Arts, Entertainment & Recreation (-3,800).  

Not Seasonally Adjusted Payroll Jobs Oct 2015 Nov 2015 Change Nov 2015 – Oct 2015 Change Nov 2015 – Nov 2014
Total Farm 457,500 406,400 -51,100 6,600
Mining & Logging 29,400 28,600 -800 -3,000
Construction 750,700 746,400 -4,300 42,200
Manufacturing 1,273,100 1,264,700 -8,400 -4,000
Wholesale Trade 744,800 746,900 2,100 18,200
Retail Trade 1,682,800 1,754,900 72,100 39,900
Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities 549,400 551,000 1,600 11,000
Information 478,000 473,600 -4,400 6,700
Finance & Insurance 518,500 518,900 400 -3,000
Real Estate & Rental & Leasing 273,600 272,900 -700 4,700
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 1,282,400 1,282,600 200 65,900
Management of Companies & Enterprises 232,300 233,600 1,300 6,100
Administrative & Support & Waste Services 1,103,500 1,100,400 -3,100 44,300
Educational Services 376,600 382,900 6,300 9,400
Health Care & Social Assistance 2,152,100 2,152,400 300 62,100
   Individual & Family Services 586,400 584,200 -2,200 4,700
Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation 286,600 282,800 -3,800 10,200
Accommodation & Food Service 1,567,300 1,565,300 -2,000 68,900
Other Services 553,700 551,700 -2,000 3,800
Government 2,484,400 2,508,200 23,800 39,200
Total Nonfarm 16,339,200 16,417,800 78,600 422,600
Total Wage & Salary 16,796,700 16,824,200 27,500 429,200
Source: California Employment Development Department

By total number of new jobs, California had the highest increase in seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs among the states from November 2014 to November 2015, at 417,100 or 15.8% of the US net increase.  By percentage growth in jobs, California dropped from 6th to 7th highest, and by population adjusted jobs growth, went from 5th to 10th highest.

Change in Nonfarm Jobs (seasonally adjusted), November 2014 – November 2015
Rank Number of Jobs Percentage Change Population Adjusted
(job growth per 1,000 civilian
noninstitutional population)
1 CA 417,100 IA 4.2% UT 22.2
2 FL 239,600 UT 3.6% IA 22.0
3 TX 179,300 FL 3.0% SD 16.8
4 NM 172,000 WA 2.9% WA 15.9
5 GA 92,900 OR 2.8% DE 15.0
6 NV 91,200 SC 2.6% OR 14.9
7 WA 89,300 CA 2.6% FL 14.7
8 ME 76,800 SD 2.6% ME 13.9
9 OH 75,800 ND 2.5% ND 13.7
10 MI 71,900 AR 2.5% CA 13.6
US 2,637,000 US 1.9% US 10.5
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Four Industries Remain Below 2007 Pre-Recession Job Levels

Source: California Employment Development Department, Wage & Salary Jobs (not seasonally adjusted), wages are running 4 quarter average from QCEW wage data

Comparing the number of jobs by industry in November 2015 (not seasonally adjusted), the number of industries remaining below the 2007 pre-recession levels finally dropped to only 4 as holiday season hiring lifted Retail Trade into positive numbers and growth in Government hiring remained strong.  However, the negative balance for all 4 industries below the 2007 line grew in November, and Mining & Logging (+1,900) which includes oil and gas employment and Information (+2,500) only remained slightly in positive territory.  In the highest gain industries, Accommodation & Food Services for the first month moved into 2nd place overall and surpassed Individual & Family Services as the highest growth lower wage industry.

Six Counties Remain in Double-Digit Unemployment, 12 are 5% or Less

Two-Tier Economy Persists

Unemployment rates (all data is not seasonally adjusted) continue to vary widely across the state, ranging from 4.0% in the Bay Area to more than double at 9.6% in the Central Valley.  

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rate (%) September 2015
California 5.7
Bay Area 4.0
Orange County 4.2
Sacramento Region 5.5
San Diego/Imperial 5.6
Los Angeles 5.7
Inland Empire 6.1
Central Sierra 6.4
Central Coast 6.5
Upstate California 7.4
Central Valley 9.6

Ratio of Highest to Lowest Rate: 2.38

By County:

Lowest 3 Unemployment Rates
San Mateo County 3.1
Marin County 3.3
San Francisco County 3.4
Highest 3 Unemployment Rates
Tulare County 11.1
Colusa County 15.5
Imperial County 20.4

Ratio of Highest to Lowest Rate: 6.58

By Legislative District:

Lowest 10 Unemployment Rates
SD 13 (Hill – D) 3.0 AD 22 (Mullin – D) 2.9
SD 11 (Leno – D) 3.4 AD 16 (Baker – D) 3.0
SD 37 (Moorlach – R) 3.5 AD 24 (Gordon – R) 3.1
SD 39 (Block – D) 3.9 AD 28 (Low – D) 3.2
SD 15 (Beall – D) 4.0 AD 19 (Ting – D) 3.4
SD 36 (Bates – R) 4.0 AD 17 (Chiu – D) 3.4
SD 07 (Glazer – D) 4.2 AD 77 (Maienschein – R) 3.4
SD 10 (Wieckowski – D) 4.3 AD 74 (Harper – R) 3.5
SD 26 (Allen – D) 4.3 AD 73 (Brough – R) 3.5
SD 02 (McGuire – D) 4.5 AD 68 (Wagner – R) 3.5
Highest 10 Unemployment Rates
SD 33 (Lara – D)  6.6 AD 12 (Olsen – R) 7.6
SD 24 (de León – D) 6.7 AD 03 (Gallagher – R) 7.9
SD 35 (Hall – D) 6.7 AD 64 (Gipson – D) 8.3
SD 04 (Nielsen – R) 6.8 AD 23 (Patterson – R) 8.5
SD 16 (Fuller – R) 8.2 AD 13 (Eggman – D) 9.1
SD 08 (Berryhill – R) 8.2 AD 26 (Mathis – R) 10.8
SD 05 (Galgiani – D) 8.4 AD 21 (Gray – D) 10.9
SD 40 (Hueso – D) 9.1 AD 32 (Salas – D) 11.2
SD 12 (Cannella – R) 9.7 AD 31 (Perea – D) 11.6
SD 14 (Vidak – R) 12.1 AD 56 (Garcia – D) 12.4

Ratio of Highest to Lowest Rate: Senate 4.07
Ratio of Highest to Lowest Rate: Assembly 4.28


Bay Area Continues to Dominate Employment Growth

Bay Area continues to dominate employment growth in the state, capturing 53.8% of the state’s net employment growth since the 2007 pre-recession peak (November 2007), while containing only 19.4% of the state population.  Inland Empire continues to show employment growth larger relative to their share of the population.  Los Angeles Region with 29.4% of the population, contains only 7.4% of the state’s net employment growth since the pre-recession peak.

Source: California Employment Development Department, Not Seasonally Adjusted

Note: All data sources, methodologies, and historical data series available at CenterforJobs.org.