TALLAHASSEE— Governor Rick Scott today announced that Florida’s private sector created 33,700 jobs over the month in April 2014. Since December 2010, Florida has added 600,400 private sector jobs. Florida’s statewide unemployment rate in April 2014 was 6.2 percent, down 0.1 percentage point over the month and 1.4 percentage points over the year. For the ninth consecutive month, Florida’s unemployment rate has been below the national unemployment rate.

Governor Rick Scott said, “April’s job creation number of more than 33,000 jobs is great news for Florida families. With Florida’s unemployment rate dropping to 6.2 percent, we’re succeeding in creating an opportunity economy. The state’s private sector has created more than 600,000 jobs for Florida families since December 2010, and we are another step toward making sure every Floridian who wants a job can get one.”

In April 2014, the fourth month in a row, Florida’s labor force again increased over the month and over the year. Labor force was 9,608,000 in April 2014 and is defined as the sum of employment plus unemployment (those without a job, but actively seeking work). Furthermore, Florida’s labor force participation rate, which is labor force divided by the total civilian noninstitutional population, was 60.7 percent in April 2014, up 0.2 percentage point from the March 2014 participation rate of 60.5 percent.

Jesse Panuccio, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity said, “With 33,700 private sector jobs created, an unemployment rate down to 6.2 percent, an increasing labor force, and robust job demand, Florida’s economic turnaround is leading the nation. Sound, pro-growth policies are making a difference for Florida families.”

Florida’s over the year job growth rate in April 2014 of 3.3 percent represents the fastest annual job growth rate since March 2006. Florida’s annual job growth rate has exceeded the nation’s rate since April 2012. Also, Florida’s March private sector job creation was revised up to a total of 23,700 jobs created over the month.

More Floridians Getting Back to Work

• Florida’s private sector job growth month-to-month has been positive for 34 consecutive months. 
• Florida has created 600,400 new private sector jobs since December 2010.
• Florida job postings compiled by the Help Wanted OnLine data series from The Conference Board showed 267,003 openings in April 2014.
• Florida’s unemployment rate has remained below the national unemployment rate for nine consecutive months.

Home Sales Robust

• Home sales remain robust as the backlog of existing homes on the market is down by 31.3 percent from December 2011 (Florida Realtors).
• Florida median home prices were up 7.7 percent over the year in March 2014.

Economic Growth Trends Up Across State

• A recent U.S. Census Survey reported that Florida experienced an influx of people moving into the state. Florida also led the nation in migrations from Puerto Rico.
• Florida is running a trade surplus of over $18 billion – with $90.4 billion in exports and $71.8 billion in imports in 2012, up from $86.8 billion in exports in 2011 and $62.4 billion in imports in 2011.

Workforce Boards Assisting in Employment

• In April, Florida’s 24 Regional Workforce Boards reported more than 42,506 Floridians were placed in jobs. An individual who receives employment and training assistance through a CareerSource Center and finds a job within 180 days is deemed a placement and may be reported by a regional workforce board. Of these individuals, 8,851 previously received Reemployment Assistance. 
• In 2013, more than 479,000 Floridians were placed in jobs, with 135,384 former claimants finding employment.

To view the April 2014 employment data visit www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.

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