TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced that the number of private-sector jobs increased Statewide by 21,100, up 0.3 percent from November 2020.  Florida’s unemployment rate was 6.1 percent in December 2020, down from the revised November rate of 6.3 percent. Florida’s labor force was up 31,000 (+0.3 percent) over the month.

The Tampa area’s unemployment rate was 5.2 percent in December, down from 13.2 percent reported in April 2020, the highest rate during the pandemic. Two major industries in the Tampa area gained jobs over the year in December 2020: manufacturing (+900 jobs); and other services (+700 jobs). The Tampa area private-sector employment decreased by 47,900 jobs (-3.8 percent) over the year. The industry losing the most jobs over the year was leisure and hospitality, decreasing by 26,400 jobs. 

To view the December 2020 employment data, visit www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.  

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