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 West Palm Beach area’s unemployment rate was 5.5 percent in December, down from 14.2 percent reported in April 2020, the highest rate during the pandemic. Construction was the industry gaining the most jobs over the year, increasing by 600 jobs.The West Palm Beach area private-sector employment decreased by 35,300 jobs (-6.1 percent) over the year in December 2020. The industry losing the most jobs over the year was leisure and hospitality, decreasing by 17,200 jobs. 

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