November 2025
Released January 08, 2026
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United States
Employment snapshot
The highest unemployment rate was 6.5 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2.1 percent in South Dakota.
In November, payroll jobs rose in 35 states and fell in 15. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.3 percent in Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, and Mississippi. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.4 percent in New Hampshire.
California
Employment snapshot
In November, California added 32,500 net payroll jobs. In the prior month, California added 1,500 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, California added 31,500 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 64,000 in November. California is tied for 34th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In November, California’s private sector added 27,400 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 16,000 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, California added 14,100 net private payroll jobs.
California
Payroll employment
California added 32,500 net payroll jobs, or 0.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during November. In the prior month, California added 1,500 jobs. California nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 5 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 64,000 in November, or 0 percent. California is tied for 34th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
California added 27,400 private sector jobs, or 0.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during November. In the prior month, California added 14,100 jobs. California private sector payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 69,000 jobs in November, or 0.1 percent. California is tied for 42nd in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
From October 2025 to November 2025:
- The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+14,900) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+7,500).
- The worst performing sectors were Manufacturing (-2,500) and Information (-2,400).
From November 2024 to November 2025:
- The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+156,800) and State and Local Government (+31,500).
- The worst performing sectors were Professional and Business Services (-66,800) and Manufacturing (-30,600).
California
Labor force
The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population age 16 and older who are employed or actively looking for work.
- California ranks 28th in the nation.