California led the nation in monthly and year-over-year job growth in October, according to figures released by the state Employment Development Department.
Fueled by gains in educational and health services, the Golden State added 31,200 jobs last month and 389,500 over the past 12 months at a rate of 2.4 percent. That yearly increase surged well ahead of Florida, which ranked second with 253,300 jobs, and Texas, which boosted its annual payrolls by 207,500.
The state’s unemployment rate held steady at 5.5 percent for the fourth consecutive month, but it was down from 5.9 percent a year earlier.
California has now gained more than 2.4 million jobs since the state’s recovery began in February 2010.
