Florida’s unemployment rate increased to 4.3% in December (0.1% below the national rate), with all six North Central Florida counties exceeding the national average, ranging from 0.5%-1.6% points above. Despite unemployment rates increasing, top industries such as education and total government continued to experience large increases in over-the-year job growth.
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 December 2025, Florida’s unemployment rate was 4.3%, a slight increase compared to November’s rate of 4.2%.
- Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate as of December, 2025, was 4.3%, which is 0.1% below the U.S. rate of 4.4%.
- Compared to this period in 2024, the state rate is up 0.9%.
Florida’s Top Industries
Out of the ten major industries, four experienced positive over-the-year growth in December.
- Education and Health Services: +3.3% (+51,400 jobs)
- Total Government: +0.3% (+3,300 jobs)
- Information: +0.6% (+900 jobs)
- Financial Activities: < +0.1% (+100 jobs)
The remaining six major industries were shown to experience a loss in jobs over-the-year.
- Construction: -1.1% (-7,500 jobs)
- Manufacturing: -0.7% (-3,000 jobs)
- Leisure and Hospitality: -0.2% (-2,500 jobs)
- Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: -0.1% (-1,300 jobs)
- Professional and Business Services: < -0.1% (-400 jobs)
- Other Services: -0.3% (-1,000 jobs)
Florida’s overall nonagricultural employment totaled at 10,042,100, representing an over-the-year increase of 40,000 jobs (0.4%) and over-the-month decrease of 4,200 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 4.4%:
- Alachua County: 5.3% (7,574 unemployed)
- Bradford County: 4.9% (504 unemployed)
- Columbia County: 5.4% (1,540 unemployed)
- Dixie County: 5.9% (346 unemployed)
- Gilchrist County: 4.9% (395 unemployed)
- Union County: 6.0% (262 unemployed)
This reflects an upward trend in unemployment, ranging from a 1.3%-1.9% increase in unemployment rates across the Local Workforce Development Board 26 counties, in comparison to December 2024. These changes parallel nationwide trends.
Notable Employment Trends
- The Gainesville MSA lost approximately 1,800 (-1.1%) nonagricultural jobs over the last year. The unemployment rates for Florida by county, Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), and Metropolitan Divisions (MDs) ranged from 2.5%-7.9%.
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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.
