FloridaCommerce has released the employment data for March 2025, highlighting developments in the Southwest Florida region. This update outlines changes in job figures across various sectors, including education, health services, and government.
In the Cape Coral-Fort Myers metropolitan area, the education and health services sector experienced an annual increase of 700 jobs. Government job figures rose by 800 during the same period. Nearby, the Naples-Marco Island area saw a gain of 300 jobs in the education and health services sector over the past year.
However, despite these sector gains, private sector employment noted a decline. In Cape Coral-Fort Myers, private sector jobs decreased by 3,000, making it a 1.1% drop compared to last year. Similarly, the Naples-Marco Island area faced a reduction of 1,200 jobs, a 0.7% decline.
Unemployment rates showed a rise in both regions. The Cape Coral-Fort Myers unemployment rate reached 3.7%, increasing from the previous rate of 3.2%. Meanwhile, Naples-Marco Island recorded a rate of 3.5%, up from 2.9%.
Statewide, Florida's manufacturing industry added 1,900 jobs in March, contributing to five consecutive months of growth. It now supports 434,600 jobs, showing an annual increase of 5,700 jobs. The state's labor force has grown by 62,000, bringing the total to nearly 11.2 million as of March.
Florida has been creating jobs for 56 of the last 59 months since May 2020, with total private employment increasing by 113,600 jobs over the year, a growth rate outpacing the national average. The trade, transportation, and utilities sector saw the most significant job additions, followed by education and health services.
The job market remains robust, with Florida offering resources like the Labor Exchange Marketplace, Employ Florida, and the CareerSource Florida network to support job seekers. These services include career counseling, resume assistance, and job placement, all available at no cost.
Floridian job seekers can explore various platforms for job opportunities, enhance their skills, and set career objectives. For accessing detailed regional data and more labor market insights, the Florida Insight platform provides comprehensive information.