The Center for Jobs and the Economy has released our initial analysis of the June Employment Report from the California Employment Development Department. For additional information and data about the California economy visit www.centerforjobs.org/ca.

Both the nonfarm job and employment numbers showed positive gains in June.  At 22,500, the nonfarm job gains were in line with the pre-pandemic average of 20,800 from 2019, while the stronger May gains were revised only marginally.  These two months of positive news, however, were not enough to offset California’s weak ranking in net jobs growth among the states, which remained in 4th place below North Carolina.

Employment showed the first good results since Spring 2023, with a preliminary gain of 17,500.  Total employment over the year, however, remained down by 93,000.  Although tied with Nevada, California again had the highest unemployment rate among the states for the 5th month in a row.  After 5 straight months with unemployment above 1 million workers, the June results finally slipped below this mark but by only 100.

Compared to the pre-pandemic peak in February 2020, California’s sustained weakness in employment recovery changed only incrementally from 3rd to 4th lowest among the states and DC.

California’s monthly job performance in June was the 2nd highest among the states and DC, behind North Carolina with a gain of 23,100 and ahead of Massachusetts with 19,000. 

Compared to the pre-pandemic peak, California has now gained a net 379,000 nonfarm jobs, still in 4th place among the states and DC.

Adjusted for size, California remained at 31st highest, below the US average.

Nonfarm job gains were concentrated in Los Angeles although they remained positive in all areas.  The budget-critical Bay Area saw an improved gain of 2,200 nonfarm jobs, but remains 47,500 below the pre-pandemic peak.  Once again, the interior regions showed the strongest overall recovery gains.

Because the data in the table is seasonally adjusted, the numbers should be considered as the total for the counties in each region rather than the regional number.  This job series also is not available for all areas in California.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) remain higher in all regions except the Central Coast and Upstate California compared to pre-pandemic February 2020 levels.

The estimated unemployment rates are shown below for the highest and lowest districts.  The full data and methodology are available on the Center’s website.