~Construction, Education and Health Services, and Professional and Business Services Industries Gaines Jobs Over-the-Year ~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced the statewide number of private sector jobs increased by 32,900 over the month, resulting in eleven consecutive months of job growth. Florida’s unemployment rate was 4.7 percent in March 2021, unchanged from February 2021 and remaining far below the national average of 6.0 percent.  Florida’s labor force was up 46,000, a growth of 0.5 percentage point over the month.

The unemployment rate in the Fort Myers area was 4.6 percent in March, down from 15.1 percent reported in April 2020, the highest rate during the pandemic. The Fort Myers area private sector employment decreased by 7,700 jobs, a decline of 3.2 percent over the year. The industries gaining the most jobs over the year include construction, increasing by 1,700 jobs; education and health services, increasing by 300 jobs; and professional and business services, increasing by 200 jobs. The industry losing the most jobs over the year was leisure and hospitality, decreasing by 7,500 jobs.

The unemployment rate in the Naples area was 4.0 percent in March, down from 14.3 percent reported in April 2020, the highest rate during the pandemic. The Naples area private sector employment decreased by 2,900 jobs, a decline of 2.0 percent over the year. The industries gaining the most amount of jobs over the year include professional and business services, increasing by 1,800 jobs; construction, increasing by 700 jobs; and education and health services, increasing by 200 jobs. The industry losing the most jobs over the year was leisure and hospitality, decreasing by 2,800 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 March 2021 employment data, visit www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.  

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