Unemployment Rate Slides, But Not Much

SACRAMENTO – California’s unemployment rate remained steady at 12.2 percent in September.

In its report Friday, the state Employment Development Department says about 39,300 Californians lost jobs last month, compared to 12,000 job losses in August.

Declines were across the economy, including construction, manufacturing, finance, professional services, leisure, health, education and government.

California’s unemployment rate is up from 7.8 percent a year ago.

In August, the state’s jobless rate hit a modern record of 12.2 percent. Friday’s report revised that to 12.3 percent.

The national unemployment rate in September was 9.8 percent.