Florida’s Statewide Unemployment Rate Has Remained Lower Than the National Rate for 49 Consecutive Months

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, FloridaCommerce announced that Florida job creators added 60,100 private sector jobs in November 2024, surpassing pre-hurricane levels and demonstrating the state’s resilience in recovering from the impacts of Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton. Florida’s statewide unemployment rate has remained lower than the national unemployment rate for 49 consecutive months.

As of November 2024, Florida's private sector employment is 25,100 jobs higher than in September 2024, prior to Hurricanes Helene and Milton making landfall. Over the past three months, the state has averaged an increase of 8,733 private sector jobs per month—a faster pace than the three months leading up to Hurricane Milton. Florida job creators have added jobs in 51 of the past 55 months since May 2020. Notably, November 2024 marks the first time Florida's total nonagricultural employment has exceeded 10 million jobs.

“Under Governor DeSantis’ decisive leadership, Florida’s quick bounce-back is evidence of Florida’s commitment to recovery,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “This effort—from opening roads and bridges, to getting utilities back on and schools back open along with putting resources and opportunities into communities immediately after the storms—helped keep Florida’s businesses open and employees on payroll.”

The leisure and hospitality sector gained the most jobs over the month of November 2024, up 30,500 jobs (+2.3%). This industry gained back 12,900 more jobs than were lost in October 2024. Florida’s statewide unemployment rate in November 2024 is 3.4%, up 0.1 percentage point from the previous month’s rate and 0.8 percentage point below the national average rate of 4.2%.

Since August 2024, FloridaCommerce has approved more than $88 million in funding through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program for more than 2,230 businesses impacted by Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton. By activating this disaster recovery resource immediately after each storm small businesses gained access to critical cash-in-hand funding to keep their employees on payroll and reopen their doors as quickly as possible.

Resources for Job Seekers:

• Florida’s Labor Exchange Marketplace, Employ Florida, connects job seekers to employment, training, and education and job creators to skilled talent.
• CareerSource Florida's network of local career centers offers tailored career counseling, skills assessments, resume assistance, and job placement support.
• Apprentice Florida is a partnership between the Florida Department of Education, Florida Commerce, and CareerSource Florida to expand apprenticeship programs across the state.
• Veterans Florida works to help military veterans transition to civilian life, connecting them with employers who are eager to hire them for jobs that align with the skills they gained serving in the military.
• The Military Family Employment Advocacy Program delivers priority workforce services to active-duty military spouses and family members through Military Family Employment Advocates located in local career centers throughout Florida.

Data in the month of November continues to indicate there are jobs available for every Floridian who wants to work, with more than 399,000 jobs posted online. Floridians in search of work and new job opportunities can utilize 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 November 2024 jobs reports by region, please see below:

• Fort Lauderdale
• Jacksonville
• Miami
• Orlando
• Pensacola
• Southwest Florida
• Tampa
• West Palm Beach

To view November 2024 employment data, click here.

Visit Florida Insight for more information on the labor market and economic data. Additionally, FloridaCommerce has provided a  video to assist users in explaining the data provided through  Florida Insight.