The department said about 2,267,000 Californians were without jobs in November.
The overall U.S. unemployment rate was 9.8 percent in November, an increase from 9.6 percent the previous month.
In the nine-county Bay Area, unemployment was highest in Solano County at 12.1 percent, and lowest in Marin County at 8.2 percent.
San Francisco's jobless rate was 9.6 percent; Alameda County's was 11.3 percent; and Santa Clara County's was 10.8 percent.
"While far too many Californians remain out of work, I am encouraged by some of the positive signs we are seeing in our economy," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a statement.
"October set a record for California exports; California has gained construction jobs for two consecutive months, the first time since 2006; and as today's report indicates, we have seen a year-over-year increase in jobs in the state," Schwarzenegger said.
"However, these gains are fragile, and it is important that government do everything possible to boost private-sector employment," he said.
