California adds 29,900 jobs; unemployment rate down slightly

California adds 29,900 jobs; unemployment rate down slightly



SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California's economy added nearly 30-thousand jobs in July, accounting for nearly 15 percent of the jobs created nationwide.

The state Employment Development Department also reported today that more than 14-point-eight (m) million people in California held payroll jobs during the month, not including farm workers and the self-employed.

The state's unemployment rate was five-point-one percent, down from five-point-four in June. It was six-point-two percent one year ago.

July marked the seventh straight month of job gains. In June, the state added a revised 16,600 payroll jobs. The July job gains represent the state's biggest slice yet this year of national payroll employment.

Trade, transportation and utilities showed the largest gain in July, up by 99-hundred jobs.

For the year, the construction industry has added the most jobs, 52,400, or an increase of six-point-one percent. Manufacturing has seen the steepest decline in jobs over the last 12 months, down by 38-hundred, or nearly one percent.

On the Net: http://www.edd.ca.gov