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Florida TaxWatch Economic Commentary
Florida sees Solid Job Growth in 2014
The three industries that added the largest quantity of jobs in Florida were Professional and Business Services, Leisure and Hospitality, and Construction. Retail Trade, which was the highest job creator in 2013, was the fourth-largest job creator in 2014. The public sector, which in past years has seen cuts, experienced an increase in 2014 as well. The three industries that added the largest quantity of jobs in Florida were Professional and Business Services, Leisure and Hospitality, and Construction. Retail Trade, which was the highest job creator in 2013, was the fourth-largest job creator in 2014. The public sector, which in past years has seen cuts, experienced an increase in 2014 as well.
Largest 2014 Gains
A closer look at the industry with the most job creation, Professional and Business Services, shows that most of the gain is attributed to jobs in Administrative and Support, Waste Management, and Remediation, followed by jobs in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services. A significant portion of jobs in these categories offer wages above the state median wage, showing that investments made by the state have been successful in attracting employers in these categories.
| Professional and Business Services | December 2013 | December 2014 | Gain |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 475,100 | 497,600 | 22,500 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 92,300 | 92,500 | 200 |
| Administrative and Support, Waste Management, Remediation | 567,000 | 593,400 | 26,400 |
Within the Leisure and Hospitality sector, a major component of the Tourism industry, most of the job creation is attributed to gain in Accommodation and Food Services jobs.
| Manufacturing | December 2013 | December 2014 | Gain |
| Durable Goods | 219,700 | 226,700 | 7,000 |
| Non-Durable Goods | 107,400 | 104,700 | (2,700) |
In the Manufacturing sector, a key contributor to Florida’s exports, there were job gains for durable goods, but non-durable goods experienced a loss of nearly 3,000 jobs.
| Total Government | December 2013 | December 2014 | Gain |
| Federal Government | 132,100 | 133,900 | 1,800 |
| State Government | 206,300 | 209,100 | 2,800 |
| Local Government | 738,300 | 738,600 | 300 |
In the government sector, the largest gains were seen at the state level, followed by the federal level. In the 2013 Florida TaxWatch analysis, both categories showed a reduction in overall jobs.5
5 Florida TaxWatch. Economic Commentary. January 2013.
6 Florida TaxWatch. 2015 Economic Preview. January 2015.
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