FloridaCommerce has reported that the Orlando area experienced significant growth in private sector employment over the year in November 2024. The region saw an increase of 15,000 jobs, marking a 1.1% rise. This achievement places Orlando as the third-highest metro area for job gains among all metro regions.
In addition to overall job growth, the leisure and hospitality sector led with an increase of 7,000 jobs. Despite these gains, the area's unemployment rate rose to 3.5%, up from 3.1% in November 2023, while the labor force decreased by 1.4%.
Statewide, Florida added 60,100 private sector jobs in November 2024, recovering from recent hurricanes and maintaining a lower unemployment rate than the national average for nearly four years. As of November, Florida's private sector employment exceeded pre-hurricane levels by 25,100 jobs.
J. Alex Kelly, Florida Secretary of Commerce, credited Governor DeSantis' leadership for the state's rapid recovery post-hurricanes: “Under Governor DeSantis’ decisive leadership, Florida’s quick bounce-back is evidence of Florida’s commitment to recovery.”
The leisure and hospitality industry showed notable monthly growth with an addition of 30,500 jobs in November. The statewide unemployment rate was recorded at 3.4%, slightly higher than October but still below the national average.
Since August 2024, more than $88 million has been approved through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to support businesses affected by Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton.
Resources such as Employ Florida and CareerSource Florida continue to assist job seekers with employment opportunities and career development services across the state.
FloridaCommerce encourages those seeking work to utilize available resources like Employ Florida and CareerSource Florida network for job listings and career training.