TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced the Fort Myers area private-sector employment decreased by 10,200 jobs (-4.4 percent) over the year. The Fort Myers area’s unemployment rate was 6.4 percent in September. The Naples area private-sector employment decreased by 4,300 jobs (-3.2 percent) over the year. The Naples area’s unemployment rate was 6.0 percent in September.

The industry losing the most jobs over the year in the Fort Myers area was leisure and hospitality (-8,400 jobs). Three major industries gained jobs over the year in the Fort Myers area:  professional and business services (+1,700 jobs); construction (+600 jobs); and financial activities (+200 jobs).  The industry losing the most jobs over the year in the Naples area was leisure and hospitality (-2,600 jobs).  Four major industries gained jobs over the year in the Naples area:  construction (+800 jobs); government (+400 jobs); manufacturing (+400 jobs); and other services (+100 jobs).

Statewide, the number of private-sector jobs increased 36,100, up 0.5 percent from August 2020.  Florida’s unemployment rate was at 7.6 percent in September 2020.  Florida’s labor force down 2,000 (-less than 0.1 percent) over the month.

To view the September 2020 employment data, visit www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.  

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