Note: According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the October 2025 unemployment and labor force statistics are unavailable due to the lapse in federal data collection during the federal shutdown.
Florida’s unemployment rate increased to 4.2% in November (0.4% below the national rate), with all six North Central Florida counties exceeding the national average, ranging from 0.9-2.0% points above. Despite unemployment rates increasing, top industries such as education and health services and information experienced large increases in over-the-year job growth.
United States and Florida Unemployment Rates (seasonally adjusted)
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics Program, in cooperation with the Florida Department of Commerce, Bureau of Workforce Statistics & Economic Research.
Florida’s Unemployment Rates
As of November 2025, Florida’s unemployment rate was 4.2%, an increase compared to September’s rate of 3.9%.
- Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate as of November, 2025, was 4.2%, which is 0.4% below the U.S. rate of 4.6%.
- Compared to this period in 2024, the state rate is up 0.7%.
Florida’s Top Industries
Out of the ten major industries, seven experienced positive over-the-year growth in November.
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- Education and Health Services: +3.2% (+49,000 jobs)
- Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: +0.9% (+18,300 jobs)
- Total Government: +0.4% (+5,200 jobs)
- Information: +2.8% (+4,400 jobs)
- Financial Activities: +0.4% (+2,900 jobs)
- Professional and Business Services: +0.1% (+2,100 jobs)
- Other Services: +0.1% (+400 jobs)
The remaining three major industries were shown to experience a loss in jobs over-the-year.
- Construction: -0.7% (-4,600 jobs)
- Manufacturing: -0.4% (-1,700 jobs)
- Leisure and Hospitality: -0.1% (-700 jobs)
Florida’s overall nonagricultural employment totaled at 10,047,900, representing an over-the-year increase of 75,300 jobs (0.8%) and over-the-month decrease of 300 jobs (< 0.1%).
North Central Florida’s Unemployment Rates
Unemployment rates across the Local Workforce Development Board 26 counties were above the national average of 4.6%:
- Alachua County: 5.8% (8,419 unemployed)
- Bradford County: 5.5% (574 unemployed)
- Columbia County: 5.9% (1,692 unemployed)
- Dixie County: 6.6% (395 unemployed)
- Gilchrist County: 5.4% (450 unemployed)
- Union County: 6.6% (292 unemployed)
This reflects an upward trend in unemployment in comparison to November 2024 unemployment rates, which parallels nationwide trends.
Notable Employment Trends
- The Gainesville MSA added approximately 1,400 (0.8%) nonagricultural jobs over the last year.
- The unemployment rates for Florida by county, Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), and Metropolitan Divisions (MDs) ranged from 3.2-9.4%.
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Thanks to resources like CareerSource North Central Florida, jobseekers can access support services, training, and job-matching assistance. Floridians seeking employment are encouraged to visit our network at www.careersourcencfl.com for more information. For questions or data requests related to this Job Market Update, email ag***@**************fl.com.
CareerSource North Central Florida is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711. Programs funded by CareerSource NCFL as a grantee of the U.S. Department of Labor. A proud partner of the American Job Center Network. Local Workforce Development Board 26.
