California’s job growth slows amid rising unemployment, economic uncertainty [Video]

The current U.S. workforce stands at 165.5 million, with 19.5 million in California.

California’s unemployment rate from a year ago rose to 5.4% from 5.1%, second highest only to Nevada, and well above the nation’s current rate of 4.2%.

“So, it’s not merely higher than it was a year ago, but our job growth has slowed. We gained only 11,000 jobs in the past month,” said employment lawyer and former EDD Director Michael Bernick.

Without substantial gains in healthcare jobs, the Golden State might have had no gains at all, Bernick said.

To look forward, one must look back.

When Obama took office, unemployment was 7.6%. When Trump took over, he inherited 4.7%. When Biden took over, he inherited 6.4%. Trump will inherit the current 4.2%.

Bernick said the outlook for 2025 nationally and in California depends on three major issues.

“These are the three forces: tariffs, immigration, and government spending. I think [those] are likely to have …