The February 2026 labor statistics were released on Friday, April 17, 2026.

Florida’s unemployment rate increased to 4.6% in February 2026 (0.2% above the national rate), with all six North Central Florida counties exceeding the national average. Despite unemployment rates increasing, one industry, Education and Health Services, continued to experience an increase in over-the-year job growth.

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 February 2026, Florida’s unemployment rate was 4.6%, a slight increase compared to January 2026’s rate of 4.5%.

• Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate as of February, 2026, was 4.6%, which is 0.2% above the U.S. rate of 4.4%.
• Compared to this period in 2025, the state rate is up 1.0%.

Florida’s Top Industries

Out of the ten major industries, only one experienced positive over-the-year growth in February.

• Education and Health Services: +2.2% (+35,500 jobs)

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

• Manufacturing: <0.1% (-100 jobs)
• Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: -0.5% (-9,100 jobs)
• Leisure and Hospitality: -0.8% (-10,300 jobs)
• Professional and Business Services: -0.7% (-12,100 jobs)
• Total Government: -1.0% (-11,100 jobs)  
• Financial Activities: -1.1% (-7,500 jobs) 
• Construction: -1.4% (-9,100 jobs)
• Other Services: -2.1% (-8,100 jobs) 
• Information: -3.2% (-5,000 jobs) 

Florida’s overall nonagricultural employment totaled at 9,969,200, representing an over-the-year decrease of -36,700 jobs (-0.4%) and over-the-month increase of 1,800 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: 5.4% (7,865 unemployed) 
• Bradford County: 5.7% (604 unemployed) 
• Columbia County: 5.6% (1,584 unemployed) 
• Dixie County: 6.2% (368 unemployed) 
• Gilchrist County: 5.4% (447 unemployed) 
• Union County: 6.5% (269 unemployed) 

This reflects an upward trend in unemployment, ranging from a 1.5-1.9% increase in unemployment rates across the Local Workforce Development Board 26 counties, in comparison to February 2025. These changes parallel nationwide trends.

Notable Employment Trends

• The Gainesville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) lost approximately 500 (-0.3%) nonagricultural jobs over the last year. The unemployment rates for Florida by county, MSAs, and Metropolitan Divisions (MDs) for February, 2026, ranged from 2.8%-8.8%.

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.