Labor Statistics for August 2026 were released on Friday, September 18, 2026.
Florida’s unemployment rate dropped slightly to 4.5% in August 2026 (remaining 0.4% above the national rate of 4.1%), with all six CareerSource North Central Florida counties exceeding the state rate. Six 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) Manufacturing, 5) Construction, and 6) Trade, Transportation and Utilities.
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 August 2026, Florida’s unemployment rate was 4.5%, down 0.1% from July 2026. Compared to August 2025, the state is up 0.5%.
- Florida’s seasonally adjusted nonagricultural employment increased 0.2% (21,800 jobs) since last month to a total of 10,051,600 jobs.
- Compared to this period in 2025, the state rate is up 0.6% (59,000 jobs), and the national rate is also up 0.4%.
Florida’s Top Industries
Out of the ten major industries, six experienced positive over-the-year growth in August.
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- Education and Health Services: +2.5% (+39,600 jobs)
- Professional and Business Services: +1.6% (+25,200 jobs)
- Leisure and Hospitality: +0.9% (+11,600 jobs)
- Manufacturing: +0.5% (+2,300 jobs)
- Construction: +0.3% (+2,100 jobs)
- Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: +0.1% (+1,800 jobs)
The remaining four major industries were shown to experience negative over-the-year job growth.
- Information: -2.6% (-3,900 jobs)
- Financial Activities: -2.1% (-14,300 jobs)
- Total Government: -0.4% (-4,900 jobs)
- Other Services: -0.2% (-900 jobs)
North Central Florida’s Unemployment Rates
Unemployment rates across the Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB) 26 counties were above the state rate of 4.5%:
- Union County: 6.4% (265 unemployed), up from 5.7% last year
- Dixie County: 6.0% (357 unemployed), up from 5.5% last year
- Bradford County: 5.5% (580 unemployed), up from 4.9% last year
- Columbia County: 5.5% (1,530 unemployed), up from 5.0% last year
- Alachua County: 5.4% (7,607 unemployed), up from 5.0% last year
- Gilchrist County: 5.0% (400 unemployed), up from 4.6% last year
This reflects an upward trend in unemployment, ranging from a 0.4-0.7% increase in unemployment rates across the LWDB 26 counties, in comparison to August 2025. These changes parallel statewide trends.
Notable Employment Trends
- The Gainesville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) gained approximately 900 (+0.6%) nonagricultural jobs over the last year.
- The unemployment rates for Florida ranged from 2.7%-8.2% by county and from 2.7%-7.9% by Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and Metropolitan Divisions (MDs).
To read the full statewide 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 aganz@careersourcencfl.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.
