California’s Unemployment Rate Holds Steady at 5.1% in September 2026 Month-Over-Month, Declines .4% Year-Over-Year; Again Private Education & Health Services Led the Way in Jobs - Sierra Sun Times

Important Note: September 2026 employment data is based on the survey week that included September 12. The release date for October 2026 data is scheduled for November 20. October 17, 2026 - SACRAMENTO — California’s unemployment rate held steady at 5.1 percent 1 in September 2026, unchanged from August, according to the latest data from the Employment Development Department (EDD). The state lost 9,300 nonfarm payroll jobs 2 during the month. August’s total nonfarm job gain was revised down 16,300 to a total gain of 23,100 jobs for the month. 1. The unemployment rate comes from a separate federal survey of 4,400 California households. 2. The nonfarm payroll job numbers come from a federal survey of 80,000 California businesses.