FloridaCommerce Announces Tampa Metro Area Gained the Second-Highest Number of Private Sector Jobs Over the Year in May 2024 Among All Metro Areas
Today, FloridaCommerce announced that the Tampa metro area gained 21,100 new private sector jobs over the year in May 2024, increasing by 1.5 percent. The Tampa metro area gained the second-highest number of private sector jobs over the year in May 2024 among all metro areas.
The Tampa area unemployment rate was 3.0 percent in May 2024, up 0.2 percentage points from the May 2023 rate of 2.8 percent. The Tampa area’s labor force was down 2,827 (-0.2 percent) over the year in May 2024. In May 2024, the Tampa metro area led all metro areas in job gains over the year in education and health services (+8,600 jobs); manufacturing (+2,500 jobs); and financial activities (+1,100 jobs).
Florida’s private sector job growth rate continues to surpass the national rate, with a 2.2 percent increase (+192,000) compared to the national private sector job growth rate of 1.6 percent. In May 2024, the construction sector gained the most jobs among all major industries, adding 5,500 jobs (+0.8 percent) from the previous month. This was followed by the education and health services sector, adding 2,700 jobs (+0.2 percent).
Job creators continue to demonstrate great confidence in Florida’s economic ecosystem through their investments, creating high-skill, high-wage jobs that make Florida a more competitive state to live and work in. Florida offers hundreds of workforce education and workforce development opportunities for job seekers to gain the skills they need to compete in such an elevated and more competitive job market, ensuring economic resiliency and success for generations of Floridians to come.
Florida’s statewide unemployment rate was 3.3 percent in May 2024—unchanged from April 2024—and 0.7 percentage points below the national rate, which increased to 4 percent. Florida’s statewide unemployment rate has remained lower than the national rate for 43 consecutive months.
Data in May continues to indicate there are ample job opportunities available for every Floridian in search of work, with more than 397,000 jobs posted online. Floridians seeking work and new job opportunities can utilize the CareerSource Florida network for help. They can find guidance on how to register with Employ Florida and search listings of available local job openings. Career seekers also can improve their employability by perfecting resume writing and interviewing skills, establishing career goals, and pursuing customized career training; these services are provided at no cost to job seekers.
To view the May 2024 jobs reports by region:
Fort Lauderdale
Jacksonville
Miami
Orlando
Pensacola
Southwest Florida
Tampa
West Palm Beach
To view May’s employment data: www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.
Visit Florida Insight for more information on labor market and economic data. Additionally, a video is provided by the Department explaining data through Florida Insight.
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