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

Total employment was up 53,700 from the revised October numbers, while total unemployment dropped by 3,700. Total labor force was up 49,900.

The labor force numbers continued to show little change over the year.  Total labor force was down 17,100 (-0.1%) for the 12 months ending in November, while total employment was up by 22,700 (0.1%).

The US unemployment rate dipped to 3.5%, matching September’s rate as the lowest since 1969.  Nationally, growth in the labor force slowed to 40,000 new workers.  Employment was up 83,000 and unemployment down 44,000. 

Total US labor force grew by 1,583,000 (1.0%) over the year, while employment grew by 1,790,000 (1.1%).

Nonfarm wage and salary jobs rose 28,400 (seasonally adjusted) in November, while jobs nationally grew by 266,000. October's gains were revised to 32,000 from the previously reported 23,600. Biggest gains were in Health Care & Social Assistance (14,000; $51.8k), Information (8,600; $188.3k), and Administrative & Support & Waste Services (3,100; $45.4k). Losses were in 6 industries, led by Wholesale Trade (-4,900; $78.3k), Accommodation & Food Services (-1,600; $25.0k); and Other Services (-1,600; $40.7k). All salary numbers are the latest 4-quarter average from Quarterly Census of Employment & Wages.

Two counties, Imperial and Colusa, had an unemployment rate at 10% or above. The number with unemployment rates at or below 5% dipped to 43, with 14 counties at 3% or below.  San Mateo had the lowest rate at 1.8%, while Imperial had the highest at 20.6%.