Los Angeles County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell slightly to 5.4% in March, down from 5.5% in February, according to figures released Friday by the state Employment Development Department.
The 5.4% rate was also below the 5.7% rate from March 2025, according to the EDD.
In Orange County, the March unemployment rate was 3.8%, down from a revised 4% in February, and below the 3.9% rate from a year ago.
Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.3% in March, down from 5.4% in February and from 5.4% in March 2025. The comparable estimates for the nation were 4.3% in March, 4.4% in February and 4.2% a year ago.
Between February and March, total nonfarm employment in Los Angeles County increased by 14,700 to reach nearly 4.6 million jobs. Private education and health services led the way by adding 16,600 positions, while the trade, transportation and utilities sector shed the most jobs, down 3,200.
In Orange County, nonfarm employment increased by 6,200 jobs between February and March to reach about 1.68 million. Private education and health also led the way in Orange County, adding 3,900 jobs.