On Cusp Of Labor Day, FL Ranks 24th In Country For Unemployment

TALLAHASSEE, FL — On the cusp of Labor Day 2021, the job outlook for Floridians has improved significantly from this time last year. Ranked 24th for unemployment in the nation, the level of improvement in Florida depends upon which agency is reporting the data.

This week, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced the state has had 15 consecutive months of job growth, gaining 63,900 private sector jobs over the month. This is the largest monthly increase in private sector jobs since June 2020. In total, Florida has gained 964,400 jobs since the height of the pandemic, according to the DEO.

For 12 consecutive months, Florida’s unemployment rate, currently at 5.1 percent, has remained below the national rate of 5.4 percent. The change in Florida’s unemployment rate (up 0.1 percentage point from June) reflects the significant increase in the labor force of 83,000 over the month, the largest increase since July 2020, according to the DEO.

This increase shows that Florida’s workforce continues to substantially grow, Secretary Dane Eagle of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity said.

DEO data in the month of July indicates that there continues to be many job opportunities available for Floridians throughout the state, with more than 545,000 jobs posted online.

Florida’s unemployment rate has dramatically lowered over the year, decreasing by 6.4 percentage points, said the DEO.

“Under the leadership of Gov. DeSantis, Florida’s economy continues to provide widespread job opportunities across the state, indicated by 15 consecutive months of job growth,” Eagle said. “Florida’s unemployment rate continues to remain below the national average, and more people continue to return to the workforce, showing that Florida remains a leader in economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Florida Economic Indicators for July 2021 from the DEO include:

• Unemployment rate is 5.1 percent.
• Florida businesses gained 63,900 private sector jobs over the month.
• Labor force was up 83,000 over the month, bringing the July 2021 total up to 10,479,000.
• Florida’s private sector employment increased by 379,900, or 5.2 percent, over the year.
• Consumer Sentiment Index was 84.1 in July 2021, an increase of 2.2 points compared to the revised June figure of 81.9.

Private-sector industries gaining the most jobs over-the-month were

• Leisure and hospitality with 25,600 new jobs.
• Education and health services with 10,000 new jobs.
• Professional and business services with 9,100 new jobs.
• Other services with 8,100 new jobs.
• Trade, transportation, and utilities with 7,100 new jobs.

The DEO's optimistic analysis varies somewhat from the national personal finance website WalletHub.

With the U.S. gaining 943,000 jobs in July, exceeding expert predictions, WalletHub released updated rankings for the States Whose Unemployment Rates Are Bouncing Back Most, placing Florida at 29 among the 50 states and the District of Columbia based on five key metrics comparing unemployment rate statistics in July to July 2019 and 2020.

Unemployment Recovery in Florida, according to WalletHub (1=Most Recovered, 25=Avg.)

• 57.77 percent change in unemployment (July 2021 vs. July 2019)
  • 529,861 unemployed people in July 2021 vs. 335,839 in July 2019
  • 15th worst recovery in the U.S.
• 54.92 percent change in unemployment (July 2021 vs. January 2020)
  • 529,861 unemployed people in July 2021 vs. 342,027 in January 2020
  • 17th worst recovery in the U.S.
• -54.60 percent change in unemployment (July 2021 vs. July 2020)
  • 529,861 unemployed people in July 2021 vs. 1,167,208 in July 2020
  • Fourth best recovery in the U.S.
• 129.66 percent change in Not Seasonally Adjusted Continued Claims (July 2021 vs. July 2019)
  • 95,430 continued claims in July 2021 vs. 41,553 in July 2019
  • 13th worst recovery in the U.S.
• 5.1 percent unemployment rate (July 2021)
  • 24th highest unemployment rate in the U.S.

To view the DEO's July 2021 jobs reports by region, see below:

• Orlando
• West Palm Beach
• Tampa
• Southwest Florida
• Pensacola
• Miami
• Jacksonville
• Fort Lauderdale

Floridians in search of work and new job opportunities are encouraged to turn to the CareerSource Florida network for help. Floridians can find guidance to register with Employ Florida and search listings of available local job openings.

Career seekers also can improve employability assistance, perfecting resume writing, interviewing skills, establishing career goals, and pursuing customized career training. These services are provided at no cost to job seekers.