TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced Florida has experienced twelve consecutive months of job growth, gaining 18,800 private sector jobs in the month of April 2021. From April 2020 to April 2021, Florida has gained a total of 795,800 private sector jobs. Florida’s unemployment rate for April 2021 slightly increased to 4.8 percent, still remaining below the national average of 6.1 percent. Florida’s unemployment rate has remained below the national rate for nine consecutive months and decreased by 9.2 percentage points over the year.

The labor force in April 2021 increased by 73,000 over the month, reaching its highest point since the beginning of the pandemic. Florida’s labor force and unemployment rate showed increases this month, which is often a sign Floridians are entering the job market.

“Through Governor DeSantis’ leadership, our state has remained open for business leading to an unemployment rate consistently below the national average and twelve consecutive months of private-sector job growth,” said Dane Eagle, Secretary of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. “Our state now has a jobs surplus, and businesses are in need of Floridians to continue bolstering our great workforce.”

Florida Economic Indicators for April 2021 include:

• Unemployment rate is 4.8 percent.
• Labor force was up 73,000 over the month, bringing the April 2021 total up to 10,243,000.
• Florida businesses gained 18,800 private-sector jobs over the month.
• Private sector industries gaining the most jobs over-the-month were:
• Leisure and Hospitality with 8,100 new jobs
• Education and Health Services with 7,600 new jobs
• Other Services with 4,400 new jobs
• Professional and Business Services with 2,700 new jobs
• Financial Activities with 2,100
• Florida’s private sector employment increased by 11.9 percent over the year.
• Consumer Sentiment Index was 83 in April 2021, 1.7 points higher than the revised March figure of 81.3.

To view the April 2021 jobs reports by region, please see below:

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

To view the April 2021 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 and the new platform.

Floridians in search of work and new job opportunities are encouraged to turn to the CareerSource Florida network for help. Floridians can find guidance by registering with Employ Florida (EmployFlorida.com) and search listings of available local job openings. Career seekers also can improve employability assistance, perfecting resume writing, interviewing skills, establishing career goals, and pursuing customized career training. These services are provided at no cost to job seekers.

To view today's presentation, click here. 

About DEO

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce and community development efforts, expediting economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities and promote economic resiliency. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.FloridaJobs.org.

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