California's unemployment rate stayed at 5.1% in September 2026, and the state lost 9,300 jobs, according to the Employment Development Department. Bay Area metro rates moved slightly lower.

Why it matters: The Bay Area is still doing better than the state overall. But San Francisco lost jobs, and the North Bay's lower rates come partly from a shrinking labor force.

The statewide picture

  • The rate held at 5.1% for September.
  • Employers cut 9,300 jobs.
  • EDD revised August down by 16,300, to a gain of 23,100 jobs.
  • About 310,167 people received unemployment insurance.

Bay Area metros

  • San Francisco-San Mateo: 4%, down from 4.1% in August and 4.2% a year ago. Payrolls fell 2,500 to 1,130,400, with financial activities posting the biggest decline, the SF Business Times reported.
  • San Jose metro: 4.2%, down from 4.3%.
  • Oakland-Fremont: 4.7%, down from 4.9%.

County rates (not seasonally adjusted)

  • San Mateo 3.9%; San Francisco 4.0%
  • Santa Clara 4.2%; Napa 4.2%
  • Marin 4.3%; Sonoma 4.3%
  • Alameda 4.7%; Contra Costa 4.8%
  • Santa Cruz 5.1%; Solano 5.3%

All four North Bay counties came in below their August rates (Napa 4.3%, Marin 4.4%, Sonoma 4.5%, Solano 5.5%). The North Bay Tribune noted the labor force there is shrinking.

What's next

EDD releases October figures on Nov. 20.