TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced the West Palm Beach area private-sector employment decreased by 45,200 jobs (-8.0 percent) over the year. The West Palm Beach area’s unemployment rate was 7.0 percent in September.

The industry losing the most jobs over the year was leisure and hospitality (-20,300 jobs).  Two major industries gained jobs over the year in September 2020:  construction (+800 jobs); and financial activities (+300 jobs).

Statewide, the number of private-sector jobs increased 36,100, up 0.5 percent from August 2020.  Florida’s unemployment rate was at 7.6 percent in September 2020.  Florida’s labor force down 2,000 (-less than 0.1 percent) over the month.

To view the September 2020 employment data, visit www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.  

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