Making it in the Bay is harder than ever. The latest job numbers show California is now tied with Nevada for the highest unemployment rate in the country at 5.4%.
California’s unemployment rate increased only slightly over the past month, but it is well above the national average of 4.1%.
Michael Bernick, an attorney with Duane Morris and the former director of California’s labor department, thinks factors like hiring costs, uncertainty about tariffs, immigration, and even AI may be playing a role.
“The numbers aren’t showing an increase so much in layoffs, but we are seeing that employers are putting in abeyance or freezing hiring decisions,” said Bernick.
California did see some job gains in areas like private education and health services, but had a net loss of 6,100 jobs in June.
Bernick says it’s a tough time for job seekers. “Especially here in the Bay Area, and especially for white-collar jobs, it is more competitive than I’ve seen in 47 years.”
Watch the full story from NBC Bay Area’s Alyssa Goard in the video player above.