Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Florida's July Employment Figures Released

Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in July 2017, unchanged from June 2017, and down 0.8 percentage point from a year ago. There were 411,000 jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 10,114,000. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in July.

Florida’s seasonally adjusted total nonagricultural employment was 8,634,300 in July 2017, an increase of 32,700 jobs (+0.4 percent) over the month. The state gained 226,200 jobs over the year, an increase of 2.7 percent. Nationally, the number of jobs rose 1.5 percent over the year. Florida’s over-the-year job growth rate has exceeded the nation’s rate since May 2012.

Florida’s Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Seasonally Adjusted)

The number of jobs in Florida was 8,634,300 in July 2017, up 226,200 jobs compared to a year ago. July 2017 was the 84th consecutive month with positive over-the-year job growth. The industry gaining the most jobs was construction (+35,800 jobs, +7.5 percent).

Other industries gaining jobs included education and health services (+35,600 jobs, +2.9 percent); professional and business services (+35,400 jobs, +2.7 percent); leisure and hospitality (+32,900 jobs, +2.8 percent); trade, transportation, and utilities (+30,600 jobs, +1.8 percent); other services (+19,100 jobs, +5.5 percent); government (+14,200 jobs, +1.3 percent); manufacturing (+11,700 jobs, +3.3 percent); financial activities (+10,700 jobs, +2.0 percent); and information (+100 jobs, +0.1 percent) over the year.

Local Area Unemployment Statistics (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

In July 2017, Monroe County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate (2.8 percent); followed by St. Johns County (3.3 percent); and Okaloosa and Walton counties (3.4 percent each).

Hendry County had the highest unemployment rate (10.9 percent) in Florida in July 2017, followed by Hardee County (7.5 percent); and Glades County (6.5 percent).

Area Nonagricultural Employment (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

In July 2017, all 24 metro areas in Florida had over-the-year job gains. The areas with the largest gains were Tampa- St. Petersburg-Clearwater (+40,800 jobs, +3.2 percent); Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford (+38,800 jobs, +3.2 percent); and Ft. Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Deerfield Beach (+30,000 jobs, +3.7 percent).

Note: The unemployment and job growth rates are estimates, which are primarily based on surveys created and mandated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in cooperation with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

The unemployment rate is derived from Florida household surveys conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau under contract with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job growth rate is derived from Florida employer surveys conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Both estimates are revised on a monthly basis. In addition, these estimates are benchmarked (revised) annually based on actual counts from Florida's Reemployment Assistance tax records and other data.

Procedures mandated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics may result in more variable month-to-month changes. For further information, click here.

The mission of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is to promote economic prosperity for all Floridians and businesses through successful workforce, community, and economic development strategies. Please visit www.floridajobs.org for more information.

The next Florida Employment and Unemployment release will be September 15, 2017, at 10:00 A.M.

For more information, and detailed charts, click here.