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California’s unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in March 2026, which is a 0.1 percentage point decline from the month prior. The State gained 28,700 nonfarm payroll jobs in March 2026 according to recent data released by the Employment Development Department (EDD) coming from two separate surveys. Total nonfarm employment for February was revised up (+1,100) to a total loss of 18,800 jobs for the month.

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What you need to know: California is investing in more accessible pathways to high-quality jobs for communities facing significant employment barriers. The Employment Development Department is awarding $16.3 million to ten organizations to provide skill-based education and workforce training programs and create equal access to employment.

What You Need to Know: Following the recent release of the Weekly Wage Reporting Tool, the Employment Development Department has made it easier for customers to certify for unemployment benefits online. The Department reviewed the full process from start to finish and used customer feedback to make improvements. This includes clearer questions and simpler instructions to improve the customer experience.

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California’s unemployment rate stayed at 5.4 percent, and California’s nonfarm payroll jobs decreased by 19,900 jobs in February 2026, according to the latest Employment Development Department (EDD) data coming from two separate surveys. January’s job gain was revised down (-11,700) to a total gain of 81,800 jobs for January 2026 .

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California’s unemployment rate came in at 5.4% in January 2026, a decrease from the December 2025 rate of 5.5%. In addition, the State’s employers added 93,500 nonfarm payroll jobs. These recent data points released by the Employment Development Department (EDD) come from two separate surveys. In addition, as a result of annual benchmark revisions updating past estimates, California’s job loss of 11,100 in 2025 was revised to a gain of 56,600 while the nation’s estimated year-over gain of 584,000 jobs was revised down to 116,000 jobs – a decline of 468,000 jobs in 2025.

What You Need to Know: California is awarding funds to help workers and small businesses of Solano County impacted by the recent closures of Anheuser-Busch and Mare Island Dry Dock. The $410,000 grant supports recovery in the area by providing employment services, training, and business assistance to those affected by the closures.

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What You Need to Know: California is investing $3 million to support workers and small businesses impacted by the planned April 2026 closure of the Valero Benicia Refinery. The funding will provide employment services, training, and business assistance to help stabilize the regional economy and connect affected workers to new career opportunities.

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California’s unemployment rate came in at 5.5% in December 2025, which is a decrease from the revised rate of 5.6% posted for November. In addition, the State’s employers lost 1,700 nonfarm payroll jobs. These recent data points released by the Employment Development Department (EDD) come from two separate surveys. Total nonfarm employment for November was revised down (-2,000) to a total gain of 30,500 jobs. November’s initial estimate of a 5.5% unemployment rate was revised up by 0.1 percentage point due to an increase in unemployment.

The Employment Development Department (EDD) will release the State’s December 2025 unemployment and employment data on Friday, January 23, 2026.

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California’s unemployment rate improved to 5.5 percent in November 2025 from the 5.6% rate in September. In addition, the State’s employers added 32,500 nonfarm payroll jobs. These recent data points released by the Employment Development Department (EDD) come from two separate surveys. November’s gain follows an October month-over gain of 1,500 nonfarm jobs. Total nonfarm employment for September was revised down (-1,700) to a total loss of 6,200 jobs. Due to impacts of the recent federal government shutdown, there is limited employment data for the month of October, including the inability to determine an unemployment rate for the month.

The Employment Development Department (EDD) is updating the previously announced release date for available state unemployment and employment data for October and November 2025.

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California’s unemployment rate changed little to 5.6 percent and California’s nonfarm payroll jobs decreased by 4,500 in September 2025, according to the latest Employment Development Department (EDD) data that comes from two separate surveys. September’s job loss follows a downward revision (-14,100) for August 2025, resulting in a nonfarm job loss of 10,300 for the month.

What You Need to Know: Although the federal government shutdown ended on November 12, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics required additional time to complete data processing, causing delays for states to release their labor market data. As a result, California will now release its September 2025 unemployment rate and industry employment data on December 12, 2025.

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What You Need to Know: With the federal government shutdown now ended, California is coordinating with federal data analysts to quickly catch up on state labor market data. The Employment Development Department will start with releasing the September 2025 unemployment rate and industry employment data on December 5. The release schedule for state October and November 2025 data has not yet been finalized as the Department awaits access to survey data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition, federal workers affected by the shutdown who receive back-pay for the same time they also collected unemployment benefits, will receive important information about paying back those benefits.