Labor Statistics for April 2026 were released on Friday, May 22, 2026.
Florida’s unemployment rate increased 0.1% to 4.8% in April 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 April 2026, Florida’s unemployment rate was 4.8%, a slight increase compared to March 2026’s rate of 4.7%. Compared to April 2025, the state is up 1.1%.
- Florida’s seasonally adjusted nonagricultural employment rose 0.4% (40,500 jobs) since last month to a total of 10,032,900 jobs.
- Compared to this period in 2025, the state rate is up 0.2% (15,800 jobs), and the national rate is also up 0.2%.
Florida’s Top Industries
Out of the ten major industries, three experienced positive over-the-year growth in April.
- Education and Health Services: +2.3% (+36,400 jobs)
- Professional and Business Services: +0.8% (+12,700 jobs)
- Leisure and Hospitality: +0.1% (+800 jobs)
The remaining seven major industries were shown to experience negative over-the-year job growth.
- Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: -0.2% (-3,800 jobs)
- Construction: -0.2% (-1,300 jobs)
- Manufacturing: -0.6% (-2,400 jobs)
- Total Government: -0.7% (-8,100 jobs)
- Other Services: -1.1% (-4,100 jobs)
- Financial Activities: -1.6% (-10,900 jobs)
- Information: -2.3% (-3,600 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% (7,655 unemployed), up from 3.7% last year
- Bradford County: 5.5% (578 unemployed), up from 3.8% last year
- Columbia County: 5.4% (1,519 unemployed), up from 4.0% last year
- Dixie County: 5.7% (341 unemployed), up from 4.2% last year
- Gilchrist County: 4.9% (409 unemployed), up from 3.3% last year
- Union County: 6.3% (262 unemployed), up from 4.3% last year
This reflects an upward trend in unemployment, ranging from a 1.4-2.0% increase in unemployment rates across the LWDB 26 counties, in comparison to April 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 3.1%-7.9%.
To read the full report, click here. To compare to national stats, 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.
