California Jobless Rate Hits New Low Since 2008
SACRAMENTO (AP) -- California's unemployment rate has dipped below 8 percent for the first time in nearly six years, a sign that the state's economy has rebounded from the depths of the recession.
The state Economic Development Department said Friday that California's jobless rate for April was 7.8 percent. It was last at that level in September 2008, when the rate was 7.9 percent.
Nonfarm payrolls increased by more than 56,000 jobs in April, led by the health care and education sectors.
In all, California has added more than 1.3 million jobs since officials say the national recession ended in February 2010.
Despite the improvement, the state's unemployment rate remains above the national average of 6.3 percent.
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