Los Angeles County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 5.5% in May, the same rate as April, according to figures released Friday by the state Employment Development Department.
The 5.5% rate was below the 5.7% rate from May 2025, according to the EDD.
In Orange County, the non-seasonally adjusted May unemployment rate was 3.5%, down slightly from 3.7% in April.
Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.3% in May, the same rate as April but down from 5.5% in May 2025. The comparable estimates for the nation were 4.3% in May, 4.3% in April and 4.3% a year ago.
Between April and May, total nonfarm employment in Los Angeles County increased by 9,000 to reach more than 4.6 million jobs. The leisure and hospitality sector posted the largest gains, adding 6,300 positions. The information sector saw the largest drop, shedding 3,300 positions.