Governor DeSantis Announces West Palm Beach Area Unemployment Rate Drops to 2.6 Percent

West Palm Beach, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the West Palm Beach area unemployment rate dropped to 2.6 percent over the year in November 2022, down 0.5 percentage point from the November 2021 rate of 3.1 percent.

The West Palm Beach area’s private sector employment increased by 4.5 percent over the year in November 2022, with an increase of 26,800 jobs. The West Palm Beach area labor force increased by 3.6 percent over the year in November 2022 (+26,570).

In the West Palm Beach area, the industry gaining the most jobs over the year was leisure and hospitality, increasing by 13,100 jobs. In November 2022, the West Palm Beach area had the fastest over-the-year job growth rate among all metro areas in leisure and hospitality at 15.0 percent.

Governor Ron DeSantis also announced that Florida saw the lowest unemployment rate among the nation’s top ten largest states and exceeded the national job growth rate for the 20^th consecutive month in November 2022. Florida’s unemployment rate was 2.6 percent in November 2022, more than a full percentage point lower than the national rate of 3.7 percent. November 2022 also represents the second consecutive year, or 24^th month, Florida’s unemployment rate has been lower than the national rate.

Florida’s private sector employment increased by 27,100 jobs over the month in November 2022, an increase of 0.3 percent. Florida’s total private sector employment increased by 5.2 percent (+420,700 jobs) over the year in November 2022, faster than the national private sector job growth rate of 3.6 percent over the same time period. Florida employers have added jobs for 31 consecutive months in November 2022.

Data in the month of November continues to indicate there are many job opportunities available for Floridians throughout the state, with more than 455,000 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 November 2022 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.       

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