SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS/AP) -- More job seekers are finding their friends in a similar situation as unemployment hits an all-time record in several states including California, now at 11.5 percent.
The loss of another 69,000 jobs during May in every sector except education comes as a blow to the state.
In April, revised unemployment figures saw a dip to 11.1 percent offering a glimmer of hope that the economy had finally reached bottom.
KCBS' George Harris reports
Although the U.S. Dept. of Labor said 48 states and the District of Columbia saw their unemployment rates rise in May, California's rate is still substantially higher than the national rate of 9.4 percent for the month. Only four states had higher rates.
The rate is also up from 6.8 percent in May 2008.
Jenny and Alexandra Parisotto are among the more than two million Californians are looking for work. Now they go to the employment office together, relying on government benefits to pay rent, help their mom with her mortgage and keep Alexandra's daughter in private school.
| County |
Unemployment Rate |
| Alameda |
10.7% |
| Contra Costa |
10.0 % |
| Marin |
7.5% |
| Napa |
8.3% |
| San Francisco |
9.1% |
| San Mateo |
8.4% |
| Santa Clara |
11.1% |
| Solano |
10.7% |
| Sonoma |
9.5% |
KCBS' Doug Sovern reports
Santa Clara was the Bay Area county with the highest unemployment rate, 11.1 percent, followed by Alameda and Solano counties with 10.7 percent.
Unemployment in San Francisco is just below the national level with 9.1 percent.
Only one field, education, showed job growth.
(jro)
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