Los Angeles County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped slightly to 5.8% in April, from a revised 5.9% the previous month, according to data released Friday by the California Employment Development Department.
The 5.8% rate was above the rate of 5.6% during the same monthlong period last year.
Orange County’s April unemployment rate was 3.7%, down from a revised 3.8% in March and higher than last year’s 3.4% rate.
Statewide the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.3% in April, the same figure as the previous month and 5.2% a year ago. For the nation, unemployment was 4.2% in April, unchanged from March and 3.9% in April 2024.
Total nonfarm employment in LA County rose by 16,100 jobs between March and April totaling 4.59 million.
The trade, transportation and utilities sector showed the largest decline, shedding 2,400 positions. The government sector posted month-over-month gains of 11,400 jobs.
In Orange County, non-farm employment increased by 5,000 jobs to reach 1.68 million. Leisure and hospitality added 3,000 payroll jobs over the month, the most of any sector.
The unemployment rate in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area was 4.9% in April, down from a revised 5% in March, and above the year-ago estimate of 4.6%, according to the EDD. The April unemployment rate was 4.9% in Riverside County and 4.8% in San Bernardino County.
Private education and health services added the most jobs compared with March with 2,600 positions. Health care and social assistance’s 2,400 new jobs were the most in the sector thanks largely to 1,700 jobs in ambulatory health care services. Private educational services completed the overall sectoral gain with 200 newly added positions.
Trade, transportation and utilities lost 1,400 jots, the most over the month. Retail trade declined by 700 jobs, followed by losses in transportation, warehousing and utilities, which were down 500 positions, and wholesale trade’s 200 jobs shed. The information sector also declined, losing 100 jobs over the month.
