EDD reports California's unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) in July improved to 4.1% as the labor force continued to dip. Total employment was down 24,600 from the revised June numbers, while total unemployment dropped by 10,500. Total labor force was down 35,100.

The US unemployment rate remained at 3.7% as nationally the labor force continued to draw in new workers.  Employment was up 283,000, unemployment up 88,000, and the labor force grew by 370,000.

Nonfarm wage and salary jobs rose 19,600 (seasonally adjusted) in July, while jobs nationally grew by 164,000. June's gains were revised to 41,300 from the previously reported 46,200. Biggest gains were in Healthcare & Social Assistance (11,200; $51.5k), Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (7,700; $122.5k), and Administrative & Support & Waste Services (6,000; $45.4k). Losses were in 7 industries, led by Arts, Entertainment & Recreation (-5,100; $59.0k), Accommodation & Food Services (-4,100; $25.0k), and Government as the numbers begin to reflect summer holidays for teachers (-3,200, $70.1k). All salary numbers are the latest 4-quarter average from Quarterly Census of Employment & Wages.

While jobs growth continues to slow in the state, employment has slowed more strongly as the labor force growth continues to stall.  California employment dipped by 600 over the year ending July 2018 (seasonally adjusted), putting it at the 43rd highest gain among the states.  On a population-adjusted basis, California’s growth rate over the year was essentially unchanged, placing it at 42nd highest.

The number of counties with an unemployment rate at 10% or above notched up to 3:  Imperial, Colusa, and Tulare. The number with unemployment rates at or below 5% dipped to 34, with 6 counties at 3% or below.  San Mateo had the lowest rate at 2.3%, while Imperial had the highest at 20.7%.