FloridaCommerce has announced that the Naples-Marco Island metro area experienced the fastest job growth rate in manufacturing among all metro areas in April 2025. Additionally, the Cape Coral-Fort Myers metro area's education and health services sector added 1,700 jobs over the year.
The Naples-Marco Island region saw employment gains across several sectors: construction, manufacturing, trade, transportation and utilities, as well as education and health services, each adding 200 jobs over the year. Despite these gains, private sector employment in both the Cape Coral-Fort Myers and Naples-Marco Island areas decreased by 0.5% and 1.3%, respectively.
Unemployment rates also rose compared to April 2024. The Naples-Marco Island area reported a rate of 3.5%, up from 2.7%, while the Cape Coral-Ft. Myers area had an unemployment rate of 3.7%, up from 3.0%.
On a statewide level, Florida's private sector employment increased by 21,800 jobs from March to April 2025. The state's economy is valued at $1.7 trillion, with U.S. News & World Report ranking Florida as having the nation's top economy for the second consecutive year.
Since May 2020, Florida employers have added jobs in 57 of the last 60 months. Over the year ending in April 2025, total private employment increased by 125,700 jobs (+1.4%). The state’s unemployment rate has been consistently lower than the national average since November 2020.
Florida leads in several economic indicators: it ranks first in higher education for nine consecutive years and second overall in education among states. The state has seen significant growth in tourism as well, welcoming a record-breaking number of visitors during Q4.
For job seekers, Florida offers resources through its Labor Exchange Marketplace and CareerSource Florida's network of career centers that provide counseling and skills training at no cost.
In summary, despite some regional declines in private sector employment and increases in unemployment rates compared to last year, Florida continues to show economic resilience with steady job growth and robust support systems for job seekers.