California adds 18,200 jobs in March; unemployment rises to 11% About 1,000 job-seekers attended the 2012 Southeast L.A. Hiring Spree job fair last week at the L.A. County Office of Education in Downey. Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times / April 19, 2012 By Ricardo Lopez April 20, 2012, 7:47 a.m. California employers added 18,200 jobs in March, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a sign that the state's gradual recovery continues. It's the eighth straight month of positive job growth and the strongest showing so far this year. In February, the state added 4,000 jobs. California's unemployment rate in March increased to 11%, up from 10.9% in February. Economists have said that California's unemployment rate has remained elevated in recent months because more job seekers are returning to the labor force, encouraged by improving job prospects. The state's labor market experienced gains across a variety of sectors, including professional and business services, education and health services, and leisure and hospitality. The state's Economic Development Department is expected to release its jobs report later in the morning. Southern California gas prices finally return to 2011 levels California leads green tech funding, reduces greenhouse emissions