Florida private sector job growth rate increases

Led by gains in the education and health services sectors, Florida saw a continued increase in the public sector job growth rate for the March 2023 to March 2024 period, according to FloridaCommerce, an agency that combines the state’s economic, workforce, and community development efforts.

Florida’s private sector job growth rate increased by 2.1 percent, or a total of 179,800 new jobs. The national rate over the same period was 1.7 percent.

“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida continues to advance forward with world class investments in infrastructure, economic resiliency, and workforce education,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “Recent investments in Florida’s transportation infrastructure, water quality and resiliency, and the reduction in commercial lease taxes are great examples of Florida’s continued investment in the nation’s most business and entrepreneur friendly landscape, where 99 percent of businesses are small businesses.”

The Orlando metro area, which includes Osceola County, led all metro areas in the state in new jobs in the trade, transportation, and utilities sectors, while the leisure and hospitality sector saw the greatest number of new jobs for the Orlando area with an increase of 8,500 jobs.

Florida’s unemployment rate stands at 3.2 percent and the Orlando area at 3.3 percent, both better than the national unemployment rate of 3.8 percent.

For more information on the monthly employment data or help seeking employment in Florida, visit FloridaJobs.org.