Labor Statistics for May 2026 were released on Friday, June 19, 2026.
Florida’s unemployment rate held steady at 4.8% in May 2026 (0.5% above the national rate of 4.3%), with all six CareerSource North Central Florida counties exceeding the state average. Three out of ten industries experienced an increase in over-the-year job growth: 1) Education and Health Services, 2) Business Services, and 3) Leisure and Hospitality.
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 May 2026, Florida’s unemployment rate was 4.8%, the same rate as April 2026. Compared to May 2025, the state is up 1.1%.
- Florida’s seasonally adjusted nonagricultural employment declined less than 0.1% (2,000 jobs) since last month to a total of 10,024,300 jobs.
- Compared to this period in 2025, the state rate is up 0.1% (11,000 jobs), and the national rate is also up 0.3%.
Florida’s Top Industries
Out of the ten major industries, three experienced positive over-the-year growth in May.
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- Education and Health Services: +2.0% (+31,400 jobs)
- Professional and Business Services: +1.1% (+17,600 jobs)
- Leisure and Hospitality: +0.4% (+5,300 jobs)
The remaining seven major industries were shown to experience negative over-the-year job growth.
- Manufacturing: -0.1% (-500 jobs)
- Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: -0.3% (-6,900 jobs)
- Construction: -0.4% (-2,900 jobs)
- Total Government: -0.8% (-9,200 jobs)
- Other Services: -1.2% (-4,500 jobs)
- Financial Activities: -2.2% (-15,500 jobs)
- Information: -2.6% (-4,000 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: 5.3% (7,582 unemployed), up from 4.2% last year
- Bradford County: 5.1% (538 unemployed), up from 4.0% last year
- Columbia County: 5.3% (1,474 unemployed), up from 4.3% last year
- Dixie County: 5.7% (343 unemployed), up from 4.5% last year
- Gilchrist County: 4.9% (401 unemployed), up from 3.6% last year
- Union County: 6.2% (260 unemployed), up from 4.9% last year
This reflects an upward trend in unemployment, ranging from a 1.0-1.3% increase in unemployment rates across the LWDB 26 counties, in comparison to May 2025. These changes parallel statewide 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 2.6%-7.6%.
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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.
