Florida’s jobless rate moves slightly upward as 170,000 workers enter the job market

by | Mar 22, 2019


Florida’s unemployment rate ticked up slightly in February rising 0.10  percent to 3.5 percent according to the numbers in the state’s latest jobs report released Friday by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The state’s workforce continued to grow with 170,000 people entering the labor market at an annual growth rate of 1.7 percent.  That’s up 0.2 percent from January 2019. Meanwhile, the job numbers show continued growth in private-sector jobs. Florida saw the creation of 24,300 private-sector jobs last month, marking a total of 206,300 private jobs created over the past year.

“Florida’s economy is working,” said Gov. DeSantis. “We have to continue this success by keeping taxes low and regulations limited, supporting policy to make Florida the best state for career and technical education, and making important investments in the environment and Florida’s infrastructure.”

Florida continues to outpace the nation in terms of job growth. The state’s annual private-sector job growth rate stands at 2.7 compared to the national rate of 1.9 percent.

“Florida’s continued private-sector job growth supports Governor DeSantis’ vision for our state,” said Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Ken Lawson. “Our shared commitment to ensuring all Floridians have opportunity, which includes helping communities recover from hurricanes, is encouraging businesses across the country to start, expand and move to Florida. Our agency stands ready to assist all Floridians in succeeding and achieving their economic goals.”

Professional and business services led the state in job creation with 5,600 new jobs over the past year. Education and health services were areas with the second highest job growth with 40,700 new jobs, followed by trade, transportation and utilities with 32,000 new jobs and leisure and hospitality with 27,800 new jobs.

The Orlando market continues to lead the state in job growth, a position that area has held for the past 47 months. Orlando’s private sector created 48,200 new jobs in the past year. The unemployment rate in Orlando was 3.2 percent, down 0.3 percentage point from one year ago.

The Tampa area had the second-highest number of jobs created among all Florida metro areas with 27,600 new positions. Tampa’s unemployment rate was 3.4 percent, down 0.3 percentage point from one year ago.

The Miami market created 25,000 private-sector jobs, the third-highest number of jobs among all Florida metro areas. Miami’s unemployment rate was 3.2 percent, down 0.8 percentage point from one year ago.

 

 

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