TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced Florida has experienced eleven consecutive months of job growth, gaining 32,900 private sector jobs in the month of March 2021. From April 2020 to March 2021, Florida has gained a total of 777,600 private sector jobs. Florida’s unemployment rate for March 2021 maintained at 4.7 percent, still remaining below the national average of 6.0 percent. Florida’s unemployment rate remains below the national rate for eight consecutive months and decreased by 0.2 percentage point over the year.

“Through Governor DeSantis' strong leadership, Florida's resiliency throughout the COVID-19 pandemic continues to excel at a higher pace than the nation.” said Dane Eagle, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. “Florida businesses have remained open and our economy continues to provide opportunities for Floridians to return to work and provide for their families.”

Florida Economic Indicators for March 2021 include:

• Unemployment rate is 4.7 percent.
• Florida businesses gained 32,900 private-sector jobs over the month.
• Labor force was up 46,000 over the month, bringing the March 2021 total up to 10,170,000.
• Florida's private sector over the year job rate decline was 5.0 percent in March 2021. This is an improvement from a decline of 14.3 percent in April 2020. 
• Private-sector industries gaining the most jobs over-the-month were: 
• Leisure and Hospitality with 9,100 new jobs
• Trade, Transportation, and Utilities with 6,300 new jobs
• Education and Health Services with 5,700 new jobs
• Professional and Business Services with 5,600 new jobs
• Consumer Sentiment Index was 80.9 in March 2021, 3.7 points higher than the revised February figure of 77.2. 

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

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

To view the March 2021 employment data visit www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.

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 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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