HispanicBusiness

California's unemployment rate, stuck at 9.8 percent for three months, decreased to 9.6 percent in February, and the Sacramento area saw a significant drop below 10 percent, according to data released today by the California Employment Development Department.

Statewide, nonfarm payroll jobs increased by 41,200 last month, adding to a gain of 725,100 jobs since recovery began in February 2010. Nonfarm jobs in California totaled 14,570,400 in February this year.

The number of people unemployed in California in February was 1,792,000 -- down 26,000 from January, and down 209,000 compared with February last year.

The unemployment rate in the Sacramento area was 9.6 percent in February, a substantial decline from 10.3 percent in January, and below the year-ago estimate of 11.2 percent. EDD said the unemployment rate was 9.5 percent in Sacramento County, 9.6 percent in El Dorado County, 8.3 percent in Placer County, and 12.1 percent in Yolo County.

Between January and February, total wage and salary employment in the counties of Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer and Yolo increased 6,300 to 830,300 jobs.

The U.S. unemployment rate also decreased in February to 7.7 percent, down from 7.9 percent in January.