California Unemployment Rate Drops To 11.1 Percent
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Buoyed by seasonal hiring, California's unemployment rate dipped slightly in December to 11.1 percent, down two-tenths of a percent from the previous month.
Nonfarm payroll jobs increased by 10,700 last month, for a total gain of 240,300 jobs in 2011.
Officials at the Employment Development Department said Friday's report shows California is continuing a gradual economic improvement.
The biggest growth came in areas of construction, information, professional and business services, educational and health services and government.
Meanwhile, areas including mining, manufacturing, transportation, financial activities and hospitality all reported job losses.
California remains above the national jobless rate of 8.5 percent.
California's unemployment rate was near 12 percent for months and has been above 11 percent since 2009.
The state's rate fell to 11.3 percent in November, the lowest since May 2009.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
