FloridaCommerce Announces Jacksonville Metro Area Private Sector

Employment Increased by 1.8 Percent Over the Year in February 2024

Jacksonville, Fla. — Today, FloridaCommerce announced the Jacksonville metro area private sector employment increased by 1.8 percent (+12,600). Jacksonville area unemployment rate was 3.3 percent in February 2024, a 0.5 percentage point increase from the February 2023 rate of 2.8 percent.

The industry gaining the most jobs over the year was education and health services, increasing by 5,100 jobs. The Jacksonville area’s labor force increased by 2.2 percent (+18,597) over the year in February 2024.

Florida’s statewide unemployment rate has been lower than the national rate for 40 consecutive months. The national unemployment rate was 3.9 percent for February 2024, 0.8 percentage point higher than Florida’s rate. Florida’s private sector job growth rate increased by 2.3 percent (+194,200 jobs) over the year in February 2024. This is faster than the national rate of 1.6 percent over the same period.

Florida’s economic data continues to indicate economic stability and confidence among Florida’s workforce as the state’s labor force grew by 2.0 percent (+217,000) over the year in February 2024, which is faster than the national over-the-year rate of 0.7 percent.

The education and health services sector gained the most jobs among all major industries, adding 57,500 jobs from the previous year, followed by trade, transportation, and utilities, adding 48,300 jobs; leisure and hospitality (tourism), adding 35,000 jobs.

To view February 2024 employment data, visit: 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, FloridaCommerce has provided a video to assist users in explaining the data provided through Florida Insight.

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