California unemployment rate drops to 7.4 percent

California’s unemployment rate continues to fall, reaching 7.4 percent in June.

The state Employment Development Department said Friday that California gained 24,200 jobs during the month. It’s the lowest rate in six years. The last time the unemployment rate fell below 7.4 percent was in July 2008.

Education and health services posted the largest increases, adding a total of 12,200 jobs for the month, while construction posted the biggest loss, with 9,500 fewer jobs.

California’s jobless rate remains above the national average of 6.1 percent.

A federal survey of households shows that more than 300,000 jobs have been added since last June, although about 1.4 million people remain unemployed.

Unemployment figures also do not include people who have stopped looking for work.