Labor Market Information for Job Seekers and Students

Get started on the path to find the right career for you. First determine your career interest and aptitude, identify your transferable skills, and also determine how much money you need to make to maintain your preferred lifestyle. Below are some resources to help you get started:

• Self-Assessment for Career Exploration: Use a self-assessment tool or resources to assess yourself.


• Make Money Choices: Create a budget so you can have the lifestyle you want.


• Occupational Guides: Find job requirements and other info about a variety of careers statewide or in an area.


• Training and Apprenticeship: Find information about training opportunities.


• California CareerZone: Find statewide career exploration info using the Start Exploring tool.


• CalJOBS^SM: Search for jobs, build résumés, and gather information.

This Path to Your Next Job is a short video that gives job seekers 10 easy-to-follow steps to employment. Whether you’re looking for a job, or searching for other employment opportunities, this video will guide you through each of the 10 steps with simple, straightforward instructions. Watch the video for more information about the following:

• How to apply for unemployment benefits


• How to register with CalJOBS^SM - an online system that helps you create a résumé and search and apply for jobs.


• Employment services available at your local America's Job Center of California^SM.

The fastest growing occupations page contains a comprehensive listing of "occupations with the most job openings" and "fastest growing" occupations by area. "Occupations with the Most Job Openings" is a list of jobs with the largest number of expected job openings from new jobs and to replace workers leaving an occupation. "Fastest Growing Occupations" is the list of jobs with the largest percent change.

The California Occupational Guides provide detailed information on California and local area wages and job outlook, education, and licensing requirements for approximately 300 occupations. The Guides offer students and jobseekers occupational information to assist with making informed career choices.

• Keyword Search
  Select this option if you know the occupation you are interested in researching.


• Topic Search
  Select this option to narrow your focus, such as by alphabet, interests, education, most openings, fastest growth, and green.


• Occupation Profiles
  The Occupation Profiles provide similar detailed information on California and local areas, but include more occupations. They offer a longer list of tasks and more of a job search focus.

• Search by Field of Study - Comprehensive List
  Which providers offer the program you need in California or a county?


• Search by Training Provider - - Comprehensive List
  Look for providers by name, type of school, or location.


• Eligible Training Providers for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Programs
  The Eligible Training Providers List (ETPL) is an official list of training providers who are eligible to receive WIOA (formerly Workforce Investment Act, WIA) funding through Individual Training Accounts (ITAs). This list includes name, locations, fees, programs, occupations, and apprenticeship programs offered.


• I BUILT IT! - opportunities for apprentices


• Apprenticeship Program Information - Search by county and occupational group.


• License Finder - to learn about licenses that may be required in California.

The Employment Development Department (EDD) provides a comprehensive range of employment and training services and tools in order to assist job seekers in finding and securing employment in their chosen field.

• California Career Center
  The California Career Center (CalCC) is a career planning website especially for students, with tools to help you map your future, whether looking ahead to college, apprenticeship, the military, or other options.


• CalJOBS^SM
  The CalJOBS^SM system is an online resource to help job seekers and employers navigate California’s workforce services system. It allows users to easily search for jobs, build résumés, access career resources, and more.


• Find Local Employers
  Find local employers by industry, occupation title, employer location, or employer name.


• JobCentral National Labor Exchange
  Find local jobs and apply directly with the employer. JobCentral National Labor Exchange is a free service of the DirectEmployers Association.


• Online Job Center
  The EDD provides a comprehensive range of employment and training services in partnership with state and local agencies and organizations. These services, provided statewide through the America’s Job Center of California^SM, formerly known as One-Stop Career Centers, system benefit job seekers, laid off workers, youth, individuals currently working, veterans, and people with disabilities.


• Staffing Patterns
  Staffing Patterns provide a ranked list of the occupations employed within an industry, or the industries that employ a specific occupation statewide. Job seekers may use these lists to find industries likely to employ workers in an occupation. Then use the Find Local Employers tool above to identify firms to contact for possible job openings.


• Toolbox for Job Seekers
  The Toolbox for Job Seekers provides tools and resources for California’s job seekers to assist in their job search, career exploration, and training needs.


• Veterans
  Use the Military Crosswalk Search to find civilian occupations that have similar requirements as your military career. The EDD assists veterans and their eligible spouses maximize their employment and training opportunities. Veterans are entitled to Veterans Priority Services designed to help in their search for employment. The EDD veterans’ representatives specialize in assisting veterans in their efforts to return to work and are located in many local EDD offices. Services provided include a veteran 24-hour priority hold on all job listings, customized job search assistance, job fairs, employer recruitments, and other events and resources.

Before you ask for a raise or negotiate with a new employer on your salary, learn about wages paid in your area. Use the Occupational Guide or Occupation Profile noted at the top of this webpage or use the table below.

• Employment and Wages by Occupation
  Find information about employment, hourly and annual wages, by occupational title and geographic area.

• Local Area Profile
  Local Area Profile shows an overview of labor market information in a particular area within the state. Select an area by either using the area list or by choosing from the area map.


• My Skills My Future
  Provides employment information and resources.


• "I Can Afford College"
  Information on financial aid to attend California Community Colleges.


• Money for College
  Resources to programs from the California Student Aid Commission.


• Affordable Colleges Online**
  Provides information on affordable online colleges.


• College Learning and Resource Center**
  Student information on resources to succeed both in college and after graduation.


• Guide to Finding Accredited Online Colleges**
  Information on accredited online colleges.

**These links are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement by EDD.