Governor DeSantis Announces the Orlando Metro Area Gained the Highest Number of Private Sector Jobs Over the Year in February 2022

Orlando, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the Orlando area gained the highest number of private sector jobs among all metro areas over the year in February 2022. In February 2022, Orlando’s unemployment rate was 3.4%, down from 6.2% reported in February 2021.

The Orlando area labor force in February 2022, grew by 82,097 over the year, a 6.4% increase. The industries gaining the most jobs over the year were leisure and hospitality, increasing by 55,300 jobs; trade, transportation, and utilities, increasing by 21,700 jobs; and  professional and business services, increasing by 20,400 jobs. In February 2022, the Orlando metro area led all metro areas throughout the state in job gains over the year in leisure and hospitality with an increase of 55,300 jobs ; trade, transportation, and utilities with an increase of 21,700 jobs; professional and business services with an increase of 20,400 jobs; and other services with an increase of 2,700 jobs.

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.  

###