BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- The United States Labor Department released September's unemployment numbers. Officials say the unemployment rate for Kern County was 7.7% in September. The unemployment number is down from August's 8.7%. High-paying remote work jobs fading fast: Study September's unemployment number is still higher than a year ago, which is estimated at 7.4%. Officials say Kern County's unemployment rate nearly doubled the national average.