Tampa, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the Tampa area gained the second highest number of private-sector jobs of all metro areas in the state, adding 79,700 new private-sector jobs over the year, a 6.7% increase. Tampa’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.8% in October, down from 4.8% reported in October 2020.

Statewide, Florida’s economic data shows continued economic progress with more positive job growth, labor force increases, and a decline in the unemployment rate thanks to successful policies that put Floridians and businesses first. Florida’s economy continued to thrive in October 2021, with 18 consecutive months of private-sector job growth, adding 44,300 jobs over the month and increasing by 5.7% over the year. Florida has also experienced 12 consecutive months of labor force increases with a growth of 29,000 over the month. Florida’s labor force growth represents a 5.8% increase over the year, which is significantly higher than the national rate of 0.5%. Florida’s unemployment rate, currently at 4.6%, also decreased by 0.2 percentage point from the revised September 2021 rate of 4.8%.

The Tampa area’s labor force in October 2021 increased by 114,520 over the year, a 7.4% increase. The industries gaining the most jobs over the year include professional and business services, increasing by 23,000 jobs, and leisure and hospitality, increasing by 22,300 jobs. The Tampa area gained the most jobs over the year in the professional and business services industry, along with the other services industry, among all metro areas.

In total, Florida has gained 1,111,000 private sector jobs since April 2020, which represents 89% of jobs lost during the pandemic that have been recovered. Florida continues to see significant increases in labor force, growing 579,000 over the year as more Floridians are confident in returning to the labor force. Florida’s unemployment rate has lowered over the year, decreasing by 1.2 percentage points.

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 October 2021 employment data, visit www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.  

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