Florida’s March 2026 labor statistics were released on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Florida’s unemployment rate increased 0.1% to 4.7% in March 2026 (0.4% above the national rate of 4.3%), with all six CareerSource North Central Florida counties exceeding the state average. Despite unemployment rates increasing, two industries, 1) Education and Health Services and 2) Professional and Business Services, continued to experience an increase 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 March 2026, Florida’s unemployment rate was 4.7%, a slight increase compared to February 2026’s rate of 4.6%.
- Florida’s seasonally adjusted nonagricultural employment rose 0.3% (28,100 jobs) since last month to a total of 9,993,200 jobs.
- Compared to this period in 2025, the state rate is down 0.2% (22,400 jobs), while the national rate is up 0.2%.
Florida’s Top Industries
Out of the ten major industries, two experienced positive over-the-year growth in March.
- Education and Health Services: +2.0% (+31,500 jobs)
- Professional and Business Services: +0.6% (+9,300 jobs)
The remaining eight major industries were shown to experience negative over-the-year job growth.
- Leisure and Hospitality: -0.2% (-3,000 jobs)
- Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: -0.4% (-7,900 jobs)
- Manufacturing: -1.0% (-4,500 jobs)
- Total Government: -1.0% (-12,100 jobs)
- Construction: -1.3% (-8,700 jobs)
- Financial Activities: -1.7% (-11,500 jobs)
- Other Services: -2.6% (-10,100 jobs)
- Information: -3.6% (-5,500 jobs)
North Central Florida’s Unemployment Rates
Unemployment rates across the Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB) 26 counties were above the national average of 4.3%:
- Alachua County: 5.1% (7,407 unemployed), up from 4.1% last year
- Bradford County: 5.3% (560 unemployed), up from 3.8% last year
- Columbia County: 5.3% (1,494 unemployed), up from 4.1% last year
- Dixie County: 5.7% (336 unemployed), up from 4.3% last year
- Gilchrist County: 4.8% (399 unemployed), up from 3.4% last year
- Union County: 6.0% (250 unemployed), up from 4.8% last year
This reflects an upward trend in unemployment, ranging from a 1.0-1.5% increase in unemployment rates across the LWDB 26 counties, in comparison to March 2025. These changes parallel nationwide trends.
Notable Employment Trends
- The Gainesville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) lost approximately 600 (-0.4%) nonagricultural jobs over the last year. The unemployment rates for Florida by county, MSAs, and Metropolitan Divisions (MDs) for March 2026 ranged from 2.9%-7.8%.
To read the full report, click here.
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.
