California Layoffs Down 11% in 2026 as Job Growth Tops U.S.

NewsData.io · United States · Sep 28, 2026

California's job market is outperforming the rest of the nation in 2026, with layoff warnings averaging 6,500 affected workers per month — 11% fewer than 2025's pace — and unemployment insurance claims falling 7% year-over-year. Total California employment reached a record 18.2 million jobs in August, growing at 0.8% annually versus 0.3% for the rest of the U.S. Despite the positive headline numbers, wage growth remains weak and discouraged workers rose 7% to 70,000. For staffing firms operating in California, the data suggests a stabilizing placement environment with fewer sudden layoff-driven candidate surges, though slow wage growth may complicate pay-rate negotiations.