(The Center Square) — According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the seasonally-adjusted jobless rate in Florida was 3.4% in November, 0.1 %age points higher than last month.
That’s still lower than the national rate of 4.2%. Out of a labor force of more than 11 million, there were 376,000 Floridians without jobs. The state’s workforce participation rate was 57.7%, down from October, when it was 58.3%. The national rate is 62.5%.
This rate is a measure of the number of adults either working or actively seeking work.
The number of non-farm positions increased by 61,500 jobs in November compared to the month prior. For the year to date, Florida gained 163,900 jobs over the year, an increase of 1.7%.
According to the data, eight of the 10 largest industries in Florida saw employment gains compared to the same time last year. The education and health care sectors grew by 34,300 jobs (2.3%). Leisure and hospitality added 31,400 jobs (2.4 %), while construction added 28,700 jobs (4.5% gain) and government added 26,500 jobs (2.3%). The trade, transportation and utilities sector grew by 23,800 positions, a gain of 1.2%.
Monroe County in far southern Florida had the state’s lowest unemployment rate at 2.3%, followed by Miami-Dade (2.4%) and Gulf counties (3.2%).
Citrus County had the highest unemployment rate statewide at (5.5%) in Florida in November, followed by Hamilton and Hendry (5.2% each) and Highlands and Sumter counties (5.1% apiece).
All 24 metro areas had job gains, with the largest being the Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, which added 24,800 jobs for an increase of 1.9%. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford’s workforce grew by 18,500 jobs or a gain of 1.2%. The Tampa Bay metro added 16,900 new positions, a gain of 1.1%).
The report also says 19 of 24 metro areas have recovered to pre-hurricane levels of employment
