Labor Statistics for September 2026 were released on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

Florida’s unemployment rate dropped slightly to 4.4% in September 2026, 0.2% above the national rate of 4.2%. All six CareerSource North Central Florida counties exceeded the state rate. Six out of ten industries experienced an increase in over-the-year job growth: 1) Education and Health Services, 2)  Leisure and Hospitality, 3) Professional and Business Services, 4) Construction, 5) Manufacturing, and 6) Trade, Transportation and Utilities.

Florida’s Unemployment Rates

As of September 2026, Florida’s unemployment rate was 4.4%, down 0.1% from August 2026. Compared to September  2025, the state is up 0.2%. 

• Florida’s seasonally adjusted nonagricultural employment decreased 0.1% (6,200 jobs) compared to last month to a total of 10,045,400 jobs. 
• Compared to this period in 2025, the state employment rate is up 0.6% (59,800 jobs), and the national rate is also up 0.3%.

Florida’s Top Industries

Out of the ten major industries, six experienced positive over-the-year growth in September.

• Education and Health Services: +2.5% (+40, 300 jobs)
• Leisure and Hospitality: +1.3% (+16,800 jobs)
• Professional and Business Services: +1.2% (+19,300 jobs)
• Construction: +0.5% (+3,300 jobs)
• Manufacturing: +0.5% (+2,100 jobs)
• Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: +0.4% (+8,300 jobs)

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

• Information: -2.4% (-3,600 jobs) 
• Financial Activities: -2.3% (-15,800 jobs) 
• Total Government: -0.8% (-8,900 jobs)  
• Other Services: -0.5% (-2,100 jobs)

North Central Florida’s Unemployment Rates

Unemployment rates across the Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB) 26 counties were above the state rate of 4.4%:

• Gilchrist County: 4.5%, down by 0.5% from last month 
• Alachua County: 4.9%, down by 0.5% from last month 
• Bradford County: 5.1%, down by 0.4% from last month 
• Columbia County: 5.1%, down by 0.4% from last month 
• Dixie County: 5.4%, down by 0.6% from last month 
• Union County: 6.0%, down 0.4% from last month 

Notable Employment Trends

• The Gainesville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) gained approximately 400 (+0.2%) nonagricultural jobs over the last year. 
• The unemployment rates for Florida ranged from 1.9%-7.6% by Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and Metropolitan Divisions (MDs).

To read the full statewide report, click here.

To read the nationwide 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.