Private sector employment in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers metro area increased by 1,600 jobs, or 0.6%, in July 2025 compared to the previous year, according to data released by FloridaCommerce. The education and health services sector in this region added 2,000 jobs over the same period. In the Naples-Marco Island metro area, private sector employment rose by 1,200 jobs (0.8%), with the education and health services sector contributing 900 new positions.
The labor force in Cape Coral-Fort Myers grew by 940 people (0.3%) over the year. Conversely, Naples-Marco Island saw a decrease of 397 workers (-0.2%) in its labor force. The unemployment rate for Naples-Marco Island was reported at 4.3% in July 2025, up from 4.0% a year earlier. Cape Coral-Fort Myers recorded an unemployment rate of 4.5%, an increase from last July’s rate of 4.0%.
Statewide figures show that Florida added 7,300 jobs over the month of July and saw total private sector employment grow by 118,900 jobs (1.4%) over the year.
“Florida’s employment continues to increase, adding 7,300 jobs over the month in July 2025,” FloridaCommerce stated.
For nearly four years—50 out of the past 52 months since April 2021—Florida’s private sector job growth rate has outpaced the national average. The financial activities sector led job gains statewide in July with an addition of 5,200 positions; leisure and hospitality and government sectors each added another 1,600 jobs.
Since May 2020, employers across Florida have created new positions in all but four months out of the last five years—59 out of a possible 63 months. The state’s unemployment rate stood at 3.7% for July and has remained below the national average for nearly five years straight.
Resources remain available for Floridians seeking work or training opportunities through programs such as Employ Florida—a labor exchange marketplace—and CareerSource Florida’s network of local career centers offering career counseling and job placement support at no cost to job seekers.
Other initiatives include Apprentice Florida—a partnership between several state agencies to expand apprenticeship programs—and Veterans Florida, which assists military veterans transitioning into civilian roles that match their skills acquired during service.
Programs also exist to help military spouses transfer professional licenses when relocating to Florida and provide workforce services through local career centers.
According to recent data for July, more than 408,000 job postings are currently online across Florida.
Regional breakdowns of employment data are available on request through official channels including Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Pensacola, Southwest Florida, Tampa and West Palm Beach reports as well as additional labor market information via Florida Insight.
