Florida’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 3.8% in August (0.5% below the national rate), while all six North Central Florida counties exceeded the U.S. average, with job growth continuing in education, health services, and trade.
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
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Florida’s unemployment rate was up slightly compared to last month (July 2025) and last year (August 2024).
- Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate as of August, 2025, was 3.8%, which is 0.5% below the U.S. rate of 4.3%.
- Compared to this period in 2024, the state rate is up 0.4%.
Florida’s Top Industries
The industries with the highest over-the-year job growth were:
- Education and Health Services: +2.5% (+38,000 jobs)
- Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: +1.2% (23,400 jobs)
- Total Government: +1.1% (+12,800)
These major industries also experienced positive over-the-year job growth in August:
- Information: +1.1% (+1,700 jobs)
- Leisure and Hospitality: +0.7% (+9,100 jobs)
- Financial Activities: +0.4% (+2,800 jobs)
- Manufacturing: +0.4% (+1,800 jobs)
- Construction: +0.3% (+2,200 jobs)
- Other Services: +1.8% (+6,900 jobs)
Florida’s overall nonagricultural employment totaled 10,048,000, representing an over-the-year increase of 98,200 jobs (1.0%) and over-the-month decrease of 4,100 jobs (< 0.1%).
North Central Florida’s Unemployment Rates
Unemployment rates across the Local Workforce Development Board 26 counties were above the national average of 4.3%:
- Alachua County: 5.1% (7,279)
- Bradford County: 4.9% (513)
- Columbia County: 5.1% (1,457)
- Dixie County: 5.6% (335)
- Gilchrist County: 4.8% (391)
- Union County: 5.8% (249)
This reflects an upward trend in comparison to August 2024 unemployment rates.
Notable Employment Trends
The Gainesville MSA added approximately 2,300 (1.4%) nonagricultural jobs over the last year.
The unemployment rates for Florida by county, Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), and Metropolitan Divisions (MDs) ranged from 2.9-7.6%.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.
