Unemployment rates dropped in the 1990s with the expansion of industry and the high availability of low-wage jobs. Many of these jobs were filled by recent immigrants and critics believe that this expansion actually led to more poor families in Los Angeles County. The unemployment rate is around 5.6% currently.

Unemployment Insurance helps those unemployed by using tax revenue as a cushion so the unemployed may still collect a modest income. To collect unemployment one must not have a job, be actively looking for work in the prior 4 weeks, and are currently available for work. Actively looking for work may consist of any of the following activities: contacting an employer directly or having a job interview; contacting a public or private employment agency; sending out resumes or filling out applications; placing or answering advertisements; or checking union or professional registers.