California Job Growth Slows in December as Payroll Shrinks

After adding jobs at a steady clip through most of last year, California’s employment engine lost steam in December as employers reduced payrolls by 17,500 net positions.

The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 9.8% last month, according to figures released Friday by the state’s Employment Development Department.

The loss of payroll jobs in December ends a seven-month streak in the Golden State.