The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Los Angeles County remained at 5.7% in September, the same as in August, according to belated figures released Friday by the state Employment Development Department following the end of the federal government’s lengthy shutdown.
LA County’s unemployment rate of 5.7% was down from 6.1% in September 2024.
In Orange County, where seasonally adjusted figures were not available, September unemployment was 4.4% compared with August’s 4.6% rate.
California’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.6% in September, an uptick from 5.5% in August, and from 5.5% during the same period last year.
Nationwide unemployment rates were 4.4% in September, 4.3% in August and 4.1% in September 2024.
Nonfarm employment in LA County increased by 5,900 jobs between August and September to total nearly 4.6 million.
The government sector added the most jobs with 11,400.
Statewide labor market figures for September were belatedly released Friday after a two-month delay stemming from the federal government shutdown that lasted started in early October and lasted 43 days. The shutdown affected all data collection and publication by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which in turn threw off the EDD’s schedule for publishing employment data.
Inland Empire
The unemployment rate dipped slightly in Riverside County as new jobs outpaced losses at the end of summer throughout the Inland Empire’s regional economy, according to the EDD.
Riverside County’s jobless rate in September, based on preliminary EDD estimates, was 6.1% and 6.3% in August.
The September rate was about half a percentage point higher than the year-ago rate, when countywide unemployment was 5.5%.
The combined unemployment rate for Riverside and San Bernardino counties, the Inland Empire, was 5.9% and 6.1% in August, the EDD said.
San Bernardino County’s jobless rate was 5.7% in September, down slightly from 5.9% in August. Both estimates are not seasonably adjusted.
Bi-county data indicated government payrolls expanded the most, adding an estimated 7,000 positions primarily in education, as teachers and school staff returned from their summer break.
The agricultural and health services sectors grew by 3,100 positions, according to the EDD.
The construction sector shed the most positions, approximately 1,500 in September. The financial services, hospitality, information technology, manufacturing, professional business services and transportation sectors altogether cut 3,100 jobs, EDD figures show.
Miscellaneous unclassified industries posted a loss of an additional 300 jobs.
The region’s mining sector was unchanged.
San Diego
The unemployment rate in San Diego County decreased to 4.9% in September, down from a revised 5% in August 2025, and above the September 2024 estimate of 4.4%, the EDD reported.
Between August and September, nonfarm employment decreased from 1,559,100 to 1,558,900, a loss of 200 jobs. Agricultural employment shed 100 positions.
Leisure and hospitality employment declined by 3,800 to lead all sectors in job losses. Seven additional industries posted month-over losses totaling 6,300, with mining and logging unchanged.
The government sector added 8,600 jobs, and private education and health services increased employment by 1,300 to nearly offset the other sectors’ losses.
Between September 2024 and September 2025, nonfarm employment increased by 11,300 jobs, while agricultural employment added 100.
The private education and health services sector saw the most jobs gained in San Diego County, with an increase of 12,900. Government also grew payrolls by 8,000 positions compared with the same monthlong period last year. The other 3,100 jobs added were among leisure and hospitality and other service industries.
Six sectors, however, shed jobs over the year for a total loss of 12,700. Professional and business services saw the largest decline of 6,500 positions. Manufacturing, financial activities, trade, transportation and utilities, information, and construction posted the rest of the losses.
