California employers announced 173,022 job cuts through November, up 14% from last year, as tech and entertainment companies restructure and pursue AI investments.

U.S. layoffs hit 1.17 million this year, the highest since 2020’s pandemic, with tech companies accounting for 154,000 cuts amid AI adoption.

Job cuts across the country are the highest they have been in five years, led by layoffs in California and cutbacks in Washington.

California employers announced 173,022 job cuts from January to November, up nearly 14% from the same period last year, according to the latest monthly report from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

Nationwide, the total number of cuts climbed 54% to 1.17 million, Challenger, Gray & Christmas said in the report released Thursday.

That is the h

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