~Leisure and Hospitality Industry Gains Jobs Over the Year ~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced Florida has experienced 15 consecutive months of job growth, gaining 63,900 private sector jobs over the month. This is the largest monthly increase in private sector jobs since June 2020. In total, Florida has gained 964,400 jobs since the height of the pandemic. For 12 consecutive months, Florida’s unemployment rate, currently at 5.1%, has remained below the national rate, which is currently at 5.4%. Florida’s unemployment rate has dramatically lowered over the year, decreasing by 6.4 percentage points. The change in Florida’s unemployment rate (up 0.1 percentage point from June) reflects the significant increase in the labor force of 83,000 over the month, the largest increase since July 2020. This increase shows that Florida’s workforce continues to grow substantially.

The unemployment rate in the Fort Myers area was 4.8 percent in July, down from 10.8 percent reported in July 2020. The Fort Myers area private sector employment increased by 11,400 jobs over the year, an increase of 5.3 percent. The Fort Myers area labor force in July 2021 increased by 16,117 over the year, a 4.7 percent increase. The industries gaining the most jobs over the year include leisure and hospitality, increasing by 3,100 jobs, and construction, increasing by 3,000 jobs.

The unemployment rate in the Naples area was 4.4 percent in July, down from 10.5 percent reported in July 2020. The Naples area private sector employment increased by 8,700 jobs over the year, an increase of 6.7 percent. The Naples area labor force in July 2021 increased by 11,723 over the year, a 6.7 percent increase. The industries gaining the most jobs over the year include professional and business services, increasing by 2,300 jobs; leisure and hospitality, increasing by 1,600 jobs; and education and health services, increasing by 1,500 jobs.

Floridians in search of work and new job opportunities are encouraged to turn to the CareerSource Florida network for help. Floridians can find guidance to register 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 the July 2021 employment data, visit www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.  

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