The chart above displays employment levels in California compared to Texas, monthly from January 2000 to December 2009. The employment level in California fell below 16,000,000 jobs in December for the first time since May 2000, 9 and-a-half years ago. From the peak employment level of more than 17 million in July 2007, California has lost more one million jobs in the last two and-a-half years. In contrast, Texas has lost only about 100,000 jobs from the peak leval in December 2008.