Labor Statistics for May 2026 were released on Friday, July 17, 2026.

Florida’s unemployment rate dropped slightly to 4.7% in June 2026 (remaining 0.5% above the national rate of 4.2%), with all six CareerSource North Central Florida counties exceeding the state average. Five out of ten industries experienced an increase in over-the-year job growth: 1) Education and Health Services, 2) Professional and Business Services, and 3) Leisure and Hospitality, 4) Trade, Transportation and Utilities, and 5) Manufacturing.

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 June 2026, Florida’s unemployment rate was 4.7%, down 0.1% from May 2026. Compared to June 2025, the state is up 1.1%. 

• Florida’s seasonally adjusted nonagricultural employment increased 0.1% (11,100 jobs) since last month to a total of 10,033,300 jobs. 
• Compared to this period in 2025, the state rate is up 0.3% (30,700 jobs), and the national rate is also up 0.3%.

Florida’s Top Industries

Out of the ten major industries, five experienced positive over-the-year growth in June.

• Education and Health Services: +2.5% (+39,000 jobs)
• Professional and Business Services: +0.8% (+13,400 jobs)
• Leisure and Hospitality: +0.7% (+8,700 jobs)
• Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: +0.1% (+600 jobs)
• Manufacturing: +0.1% (+400 jobs)

The remaining five major industries were shown to experience negative over-the-year job growth.

• Other Services: -0.4% (-1,600 jobs)
• Construction: -0.5% (-3,200 jobs)
• Total Government: -0.9% (-10,500 jobs)  
• Financial Activities: -1.9% (-12,900 jobs) 
• Information: -2.2% (-3,300 jobs) 

North Central Florida’s Unemployment Rates

Unemployment rates across the Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB) 26 counties were above the national average of 4.2%: 

• Bradford County: 5.6% (587 unemployed), up from 4.6% last year
• Alachua County: 5.5% (7,754 unemployed), up from 4.6% last year
• Columbia County: 5.5% (1,532 unemployed), up from 4.8% last year 
• Dixie County: 6.3% (374 unemployed), up from 5.0% last year
• Gilchrist County: 5.0% (407 unemployed), up from 4.0% last year
• Union County: 6.5% (270 unemployed), up from 5.4% last year

This reflects an upward trend in unemployment, ranging from a 0.7-1.3% increase in unemployment rates across the LWDB 26 counties, in comparison to June 2025. These changes parallel statewide trends.

Notable Employment Trends

• The Gainesville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) lost approximately 800 (-0.5%) nonagricultural jobs over the last year. 
• The unemployment rates for Florida by county, MSAs, and Metropolitan Divisions (MDs) for June 2026 ranged from 3.0%-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.