EDD reports California's unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) in October reached a new record low of 3.9% as the labor force continued to show only modest gains.

Total employment was up 50,000 from the revised September numbers, while total unemployment dropped by 9,100. Total labor force was up 40,800.

For the year, total labor force was down 57,400 for the 12 months ending in October, while total employment was down by 24,000.

The US unemployment rate notched up to 3.6% as nationally the labor force continued to expand with 325,000 new workers.  Employment was up 241,000 and unemployment up 86,000. 

Nationally, the labor force grew by 1,670,000 (1.0%) over the year, while employment grew by 1,928,000 (1.2%).

Nonfarm wage and salary jobs rose 21,300 (seasonally adjusted) in October, while jobs nationally grew by 130,000. September's gains were revised to 26,700 from the previously reported 21,300. Biggest gains were in Accommodation & Food Services (6,000; $25.0k), Government (5,400; $70.1k), and Health Care & Social Assistance (4,800; $51.8k). Losses were in 5 industries, led by Administrative & Support & Waste Services (-3,300; $45.4k); Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (-2,900; $122.5k), and Information (-1,800; $188.3k). All salary numbers are the latest 4-quarter average from Quarterly Census of Employment & Wages.

Only one county, Imperial, had an unemployment rate at 10% or above. The number with unemployment rates at or below 5% dipped to 47, with 17 counties at 3% or below.  San Mateo had the lowest rate at 1.8%, while Imperial had the highest at 21.2%.