~Orlando Metro Area Private Sector Employment Increased by 111,300 Jobs Over the Year~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced Florida has experienced thirteen consecutive months of job growth, gaining 595,000 private sector jobs over the year and 839,800 jobs since the height of the pandemic. In May, Florida gained 35,800 private sector jobs and added more than 52,500 online job postings over the month for a total of 512,858 available jobs posted online throughout the state. Florida’s unemployment rate of 4.9 percent has remained below the national rate, currently at 5.8 percent, for ten consecutive months. Florida’s unemployment rate has dramatically lowered over the year, decreasing by 9.3 percentage points.

The unemployment rate in the Orlando area was 5.4 percent in May, down from 22.6 percent reported in May 2020. The Orlando area private sector employment increased by 111,300 jobs over the year. The industries gaining the most amount of jobs over the year were leisure and hospitality, increasing by 60,000 jobs; trade, transportation, and utilities, increasing by 16,800 jobs; professional and business services, increasing by 12,200 jobs; and education and health services, increasing by 10,200 jobs.   

Floridians in search of work and new job opportunities are encouraged to turn to the CareerSource Florida network for help. Floridians can find guidance to register with Employ Florida (EmployFlorida.com) and search listings of available local job openings. Career seekers also can improve employability assistance, perfecting resume writing, interviewing skills, establishing career goals, and pursuing customized career training. These services are provided at no cost to job seekers.

To view the May 2021 employment data, visit www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.  

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