The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity today announced that Florida’s private-sector job growth continues to outpace the nation and every county in Florida has experienced a drop in unemployment since December 2010. Florida’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.5 percent, the lowest since February 2007, and decreased by 7.3 percentage points since December 2010; this drop is faster than the national decline of 5.6 percentage points.
The Orlando area added 73,800 new private-sector jobs, marking 42 consecutive months of the Orlando area having the highest job creation in the state. The unemployment rate in Orlando was 2.7 percent in September, down 0.9 percentage point from one year ago. The industries with the highest growth over the year in the Orlando area were leisure and hospitality and professional and business services. In September 2018, Orlando’s labor force was 1,361,525, up 32,494 over the year, and had the second-highest online job demand in Florida in with 37,725 openings ranking second in STEM overall demand in the state with 11,508 openings.
The Tampa area added 52,400 new private-sector jobs in the last year, creating the second-highest number of jobs among all Florida metro areas. Tampa’s unemployment rate was a low 2.9 percent in September, down 0.8 percentage point from one year ago. The industries with the highest growth over the year in the Tampa area were leisure and hospitality and education and health services.
The Miami area added 52,000 new private-sector jobs in the past year, the third-highest number of jobs among all Florida metro areas. The unemployment rate in Miami was 3.6 percent in September down 1.2 percentage points from one year ago. The industries with the highest growth over the year in the Miami area were trade, transportation and utilities, education and health services and construction.
The Fort Lauderdale area added 34,400 new private-sector jobs in the past year, the fourth-highest number of jobs among all Florida metro areas. Fort Lauderdale’s unemployment rate dropped to a low 2.8 percent in September, down 0.9 percentage point from one year ago. The industries with the highest growth over the year in the Fort Lauderdale area were professional and business services and construction.
The Jacksonville area added 29,700 new private-sector jobs in the past year, continuing to be among the top five Florida metro areas for private-sector job growth. Jacksonville’s unemployment rate dropped to a low 2.8 percent in September, down 0.9 percentage point from one year ago. The industries with the highest growth over the year in the Jacksonville area were leisure and hospitality and professional and business services.
The West Palm Beach area added 24,000 new private-sector jobs in the past year. West Palm Beach’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.1 percent in September, down 1.0 percentage point from one year ago. The industry with the highest growth over the year in the West Palm Beach area was leisure and hospitality.
The Fort Myers area added 17,100 new private-sector jobs in the past year. Fort Myers’ unemployment rate dropped to a low 2.9 percent in September, down 1.2 percentage point from one year ago. The industries with the highest growth over the year in the Fort Myers area were construction and trade, transportation and utilities.
The Naples area added 9,100 new private-sector jobs in the past year. Naples’ unemployment rate dropped to 3.3 percent in September, down 1.3 percentage points from one year ago. The industries with the highest growth over the year in the Naples area were construction and leisure and hospitality.
The Pensacola area added 4,000 new private-sector jobs in the past year. Pensacola’s unemployment rate dropped to a low 2.9 percent in September, down 0.8 percentage point from one year ago. The industries with the highest growth over the year in the Pensacola area were leisure and hospitality and construction.
Florida’s statewide unemployment rate dropped to a decade low 3.5 percent, a decrease of 7.3 percentage points since December 2010; this drop is faster than the national decline of 5.6 percentage points. Florida businesses have created 1,637,100 jobs since December 2010 and 17,700 private-sector jobs in September. In the past year, 108,000 people entered Florida’s labor force, a growth of 1.1 percent.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to Florida business and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a result of Hurricane Michael. To learn more or file a claim visit www.FloridaJobs.org or call 1-800-385-3920.
Click here to view the September 2018 employment data.
About DEO
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce and community development efforts. This new approach helps expedite economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.floridajobs.org.
