Florida’s Unemployment Rises to 3.5% in January as Labor Market Expands

by | Mar 17, 2025

Advertisement


Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 3.5 percent in January, up 0.1 percentage point from December and 0.3 percentage points from the previous year, according to data released on Monday by the Florida Department of Commerce.

The state’s labor force reached 11,188,000, an increase of 66,000 workers, or 0.6 percent, over the year. Employment stood at 10,798,000, reflecting a gain of 30,000 jobs, or 0.3 percent, while the number of unemployed individuals rose to 390,000, an increase of 37,000, or 10.5 percent. The national unemployment rate was 4.0 percent.

Florida’s total nonagricultural employment reached 10,018,600 in January, an increase of 16,500 jobs, or 0.2 percent, from December. Over the year, the state added 139,000 jobs, a 1.4 percent increase, surpassing the national growth rate of 1.3 percent. Nine of Florida’s ten major industries experienced job gains over the year. The education and health services sector led with an increase of 47,800 jobs, a 3.2 percent rise, followed by total government employment, which grew by 25,400 jobs, or 2.2 percent.

Trade, transportation, and utilities expanded by 23,700 jobs, a 1.2 percent increase, while the leisure and hospitality sector added 13,500 jobs, or 1.0 percent. The construction industry grew by 10,700 jobs, or 1.7 percent, and other services rose by 9,100 jobs, a 2.4 percent increase. Financial activities gained 4,200 jobs, or 0.6 percent, while manufacturing added 3,100 jobs, a 0.7 percent increase. The professional and business services sector posted a modest gain of 1,600 jobs, or 0.1 percent. The information sector was the only industry to decline, losing 100 jobs, or 0.1 percent.

Among Florida’s metropolitan areas, 22 of 25 saw job growth over the year. The Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford MSA recorded the largest increase, adding 32,100 jobs, or 2.2 percent, followed by the Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall MD, which gained 26,200 jobs, a 2.0 percent increase. The Tampa MD added 14,900 jobs, or 1.4 percent. The St. Petersburg-Clearwater-Largo MD lost 1,500 jobs, a 0.3 percent decline, while the Sebastian-Vero Beach MSA lost 400 jobs, or 0.7 percent, and the Naples-Marco Island MSA saw a decrease of 300 jobs, or 0.2 percent.

Unemployment rates varied across the state. Miami-Dade County recorded the lowest unemployment rate at 2.4 percent, followed by Monroe County at 2.7 percent and Wakulla County at 3.2 percent. Sumter County posted the highest unemployment rate at 6.9 percent, followed by Taylor County at 6.5 percent and Citrus County at 5.8 percent. Among metropolitan areas, Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall had the lowest unemployment rate at 2.4 percent, while Wildwood-The Villages MSA recorded the highest at 6.9 percent.

0 Comments

Leave a comment