California extended its slow but steady economic recovery in April, adding more than 100,000 jobs for the third consecutive month, officials said Friday.

The state’s Employment Development Department says California has now regained 1.3 million jobs, or 48% of the 2.7 million it lost in March and April of 2020.

The new numbers show California has become an engine in the nation’s recovery, accounting for 38% of all jobs gained in the U.S. in April. Since February, California has added 390,300 jobs following sharp declines in December and January amid a surge of new coronavirus cases. 

More than 60% of the job gains in April came from hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues — businesses impacted the most by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s previous statewide stay-at-home order. California has waited longer than other states to ease restrictions on those businesses, with Newsom pledging to lift most of the rules on June 15.

Despite those job gains, California still has the second highest unemployment rate in the country at 8.3%, trailing Hawaii. But that number can be deceiving. The unemployment rate is a percentage of people who are looking for work and do not have a job. As more people start looking for work, that can offset the number of new jobs added.

Despite those job gains, California still has the second highest unemployment rate in the country at 8.3%, trailing Hawaii. But that number can be deceiving. The unemployment rate is a percentage of people who are looking for work and do not have a job. As more people start looking for work, that can offset the number of new jobs added.