FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — FloridaCommerce announced today that the Fort Lauderdale metro area led in job gains over the past year in trade, transportation, and utilities (+6,500 jobs); government (+4,500 jobs); and other services (+3,900 jobs). The total nonagricultural employment for the area in May 2024 was 932,200, marking an increase of 21,100 jobs (+2.3 percent) over the year. Private sector employment in Fort Lauderdale rose by 16,600 jobs (+2.1 percent) during the same period.
The unemployment rate for the Fort Lauderdale area was 2.8 percent in May 2024, up by 0.1 percentage points from May 2023’s rate of 2.7 percent. The labor force increased by 7,662 individuals, a rise of 0.7 percent over the year.
Statewide data shows that Florida’s private sector job growth rate continues to surpass the national average with a 2.2 percent increase (+192,000 jobs), compared to the national private sector job growth rate of 1.6 percent. In May 2024, the construction sector experienced the highest job growth among major industries with an addition of 5,500 jobs (+0.8 percent) from April 2024. The education and health services sector followed with an increase of 2,700 jobs (+0.2 percent).
“Job creators continue to demonstrate great confidence in Florida’s economic ecosystem through their investments,” noted a representative from FloridaCommerce.
Florida’s statewide unemployment rate stood at 3.3 percent in May 2024—unchanged from April—and remained lower than the national rate of 4 percent for the forty-third consecutive month.
Current data indicates ample job opportunities for Floridians seeking employment, with more than 397,000 positions posted online as of May. Job seekers are encouraged to utilize resources such as CareerSource Florida for assistance with job searches and skills development at no cost.
For further details on regional job reports and employment data for May 2024:
– Fort Lauderdale
– Jacksonville
– Miami
– Orlando
– Pensacola
– Southwest Florida
– Tampa
– West Palm Beach
To access May’s employment data visit: www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.
For additional labor market and economic data insights visit Florida Insight.
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