Governor DeSantis Announces Southwest Florida Labor Force Up More Than 20,000 Over the Year in February 2022

Naples, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced Southwest Florida’s labor force has increased by 20,552 over the year. The Fort Myers area labor force in February 2022 grew by 13,568 over the year, a 3.8% increase, and the Naples area labor force increased by 6,984 over the year, a 3.9% increase.

The Fort Myers area private sector employment grew by 13,800 jobs over the year, an increase of 5.9%. The industry gaining the most jobs over the year was professional and business services, increasing by 4,000 jobs. The unemployment rate in the Fort Myers area was 2.9% in February 2022, down from 4.9% reported in February 2021.

The Naples area private sector employment increased by 7,900 jobs over the year, an increase of 5.6%. The industry gaining the most jobs over the year was leisure and hospitality, increasing by 3,500 jobs. The unemployment rate in the Naples area was 2.6% in February 2022, down from 4.2% reported in February 2021.

Florida businesses continue to have robust employment opportunities, a benefit of a competitive and energized workforce. In February 2022, the state’s total private sector employment increased by 52,000 jobs, which is an increase of 0.6 percent over the month. There were 8,132,300 private sector jobs statewide in February 2022, an increase of 525,200 jobs, or 6.9 percent, over the year. The national over-the-year rate of increase was 5.2 percent in February 2022. As of February 2022, Florida employers have added jobs for 22 consecutive months since May 2020. Florida’s labor force also reached 10,471,000, increasing by 324,000, or 3.2% over the year.

Data in the month of February indicates that there continue to be many job opportunities available for Floridians throughout the state, with nearly 452,000 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 statewide February 2022 employment data, visit www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.  

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