As reported by the California Employment Department, the unemployment rate in the Oakland-Fremont-Hayward MD was 4.4 percent in April 2007, virtually unchanged from the estimate of 4.3 percent in March 2007.  The East Bay’s unemployment rate resembled the nation’s rate of 4.3 percent and was lower than the California estimate of 5.0 percent.  The unemployment rate was 4.4 percent in both Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.  

The unemployment rate in the San Francisco MD was 3.8 percent in April, a minor increase from the March estimate of 3.7 percent,  In the San Jose MSA, the unemployment rate was unchanged between March and April 2007, holding at 4.4 percent – a minor decrease when compared with the April 2006 estimate of 4.5 percent.

In a month-over-month comparison, all three Bay Area regions saw losses in labor force (number of individuals who are currently employed or actively seeking employment). The East Bay lost 11,300 workers between March and April 2007, San Francisco lost 8,700 workers and San Jose lost 4,400. 

In a year-over-year comparison with April 2006, large labor force gains were made, with the East Bay gaining 17,400, San Francisco 26,800 and San Jose 18,200.

Between March and April 2007, all three Bay Area regions saw losses in the number of employed residents (residents who are employed, but not necessarily within the region).  In the East Bay there were 11,900 fewer residents employed in April than in March, in San Francisco 8,400 fewer, and 4,800 fewer in San Jose

Between March and April 2007, the total number of payroll jobs (jobs located within the region) in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties fell by 1,600 jobs to reach 1,055,000. All major non-farm industries declined except for natural resources and mining.  During the same period San Francisco lost 19,600 jobs and San Jose lost 11,000. 

In a year-over-year comparison with April 2006, the East Bay gained 16,800 payroll jobs, San Francisco gained 23,900 jobs and San Jose gained 24,100.