FloridaCommerce announced that the West Palm Beach metro area recorded the fastest over-the-year job growth rate among all metro areas in the state in education and health services, with a 6.0 percent increase in May 2024. The labor force in the West Palm Metro area grew by 1,114 in May 2024, reflecting a 0.1 percent year-over-year increase. Additionally, the region added 8,600 new private sector jobs over the year, marking a 1.4 percent rise. The unemployment rate in West Palm Beach was 2.9 percent in May 2024, up from 2.7 percent in May 2023.
Statewide, Florida’s private sector job growth rate continued to exceed the national average, showing a 2.2 percent increase (+192,000) compared to the national rate of 1.6 percent. In May 2024, the construction sector saw significant gains with an addition of 5,500 jobs (+0.8 percent) from the previous month, followed by the education and health services sector which added 2,700 jobs (+0.2 percent).
“Job creators continue to demonstrate great confidence in Florida’s economic ecosystem through their investments,” noted FloridaCommerce officials.
Florida’s statewide unemployment rate stood at 3.3 percent in May 2024—unchanged from April—and remained below the national rate of 4 percent for the forty-third consecutive month.
The data for May indicated that there were more than 397,000 job opportunities available online for Floridians seeking employment. Job seekers are encouraged to utilize resources such as CareerSource Florida for assistance with registration on Employ Florida and accessing local job listings.
To view detailed employment data for regions including Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Pensacola, Southwest Florida, Tampa, and West Palm Beach or access additional labor market information and reports visit www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.
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