California union membership hits record low in 2024, but still above national average
Union membership in California fell to a record low of 14.5% in 2024, according to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Despite the decline, the state remains well above the national average.
California’s union membership rate dropped to 14.5% in 2024, its lowest level since data collection began in 1989, according to new figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This marks a decline from 15.4% in 2023 and continues a decades-long trend of shrinking union representation among wage and salary workers.
Despite this dip, California’s union membership remains above the national average, which held steady at 9.9% in 2024. The state still has one of the highest absolute numbers of unionized workers in the country, with 2.38 million members. Another 297,000 workers are covered by union contracts but are not formally union members.
Long-Term Decline in California Union Membership
California has historically had a higher union membership rate than the U.S. as a whole, but the latest data highlights a steady downward trajectory over the past decade. In 1989, union membership in California peaked at 18.9%—a far cry from today's record low.
The decline mirrors national trends, with union representation steadily eroding in many industries. Experts cite job market shifts, automation, employer resistance to unionization efforts, and changing labor laws as contributing factors.
| Year | Total Employed | Members of Unions | Percent of Employed | Represented by Unions | Percent of Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 15,135 | 2,472 | 16.3% | 2,652 | 17.5% |
| 2015 | 15,657 | 2,486 | 15.9% | 2,689 | 17.2% |
| 2016 | 16,001 | 2,551 | 15.9% | 2,796 | 17.5% |
| 2017 | 16,064 | 2,491 | 15.5% | 2,708 | 16.9% |
| 2023 | 16,349 | 2,514 | 15.4% | 2,769 | 16.9% |
| 2024 | 16,399 | 2,381 | 14.5% | 2,678 | 16.3% |
How California Compares to Other States
Even with its declining membership rate, California remains one of the stronger unionized states compared to the rest of the country. According to the BLS report, only two states—Hawaii (26.5%) and New York (20.6%)—had union membership rates above 20% in 2024.
Conversely, North Carolina (2.4%) recorded the lowest union membership rate, followed by South Dakota (2.7%) and South Carolina (2.8%).
What’s Next for Unions in California?
While union membership has fallen, recent high-profile labor movements in California—such as Hollywood’s Writers and Actors Strikes, health care worker walkouts, and tech industry unionization efforts—suggest that organized labor remains a force in the state.
Some labor advocates hope that new labor laws and worker protections could help reverse the downward trend. In 2024, California lawmakers introduced several bills aimed at strengthening union protections, particularly for gig workers, fast-food employees, and warehouse workers.
Whether these efforts will translate into a rebound in union membership remains to be seen, but the latest figures make one thing clear: California’s labor movement faces an uphill battle in the years ahead.
