Governor DeSantis Announces Fort Myers Private Sector Employment Up 4.7 Percent Over the Year in May 2023

Naples, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced Fort Myers’ private sector employment increased by 4.7 percent over the year, adding 11,800 jobs, despite being one of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Ian. As of May 2023, with the exception of October 2022, Florida employers have added jobs every month for 36 months since May 2020. Industries gaining the most jobs over the year in the Naples area were education and health services, adding 1,300 jobs, and construction, adding 1,000 jobs.

The Naples area’s unemployment rate was 2.5 percent in May 2023, a 0.1 percentage point increase from 2.4 percent one year ago. The Naples area’s private sector employment was 151,500 in May 2023, a decrease of 300 jobs (-0.2 percent) over the year. In May 2023, the Naples area’s labor force was 190,375, down 547 (-0.3 percent) over the year.

In May 2023, the Fort Myers area’s labor force in May 2023 was up 4.0 percent (+15,080) over the year. The industries gaining the most jobs over the year were: education and health services (+3,900 jobs); professional and business services (+2,800 jobs); leisure and hospitality (+2,000 jobs); and construction (+1,900 jobs). May 2023 unemployment rate was 2.8 percent, up 0.1 percentage point from the year ago rate of 2.7 percent.

In May 2023, Florida’s unemployment rate remains at a low 2.6 percent for the fifth consecutive month as long-term growth continues. In May 2023, Florida’s labor force grew by 246,000 (+2.3 percent) over the year since May 2022, faster than the national labor force growth rate of 1.5 percent during the same time period. Over the month in May 2023, Florida’s labor force grew by 38,000 (+0.3 percent), which is faster than the nation’s labor force growth rate of 0.1 percent during the same time period. As of May 2023, with the exception of October 2022, Florida employers have added jobs for 36 months since May 2020. Florida’s over-the-year private sector job growth rate has exceeded the nation’s for 26 consecutive months. In May 2023, total private sector employment increased by 17,200 over the month, an increase of 0.2 percent from the previous month.

In May 2023, the education and health services sector gained the most jobs among all major industries, adding 8,800 jobs (+0.6 percent) from the previous month, followed by professional and business services with 6,200 jobs (+0.4 percent) and leisure and hospitality, adding 3,700 jobs (+0.3 percent). 

Data from the month of May continues to indicate there are many job opportunities available for Floridians throughout the state, with more than 458,000 jobs posted online. Floridians in search of work and new job opportunities are encouraged to turn to the CareerSource Florida network for help. Floridians can find guidance on how to register with Employ Florida and search listings of available local job openings. Career seekers also can improve their employability by perfecting resume writing and interviewing skills, establishing career goals and pursuing customized career training. These services are provided at no cost to job seekers.

To view the May 2023 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, the Department has provided a video to assist users in explaining the data provided through Florida Insight.

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