California's unemployment rate fell to 8.7 percent in September and was unchanged in October, following two straight monthly increases.
The California Employment Development Department said Friday that the state added nearly 40,000 non-farm jobs in October. Gains were broad, with the construction, leisure and hospitality and other sectors expanding payrolls. Government led the way with more than 12,000 new jobs.
Only two of 11 sectors shrank during October — manufacturing and finance.
Release of September data was delayed by a month due to the federal government shutdown.
The unemployment rate fell from 8.9 percent in August. The state lost nearly 3,000 jobs in September.
