Florida’s Unemployment Rates
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has remained steady in early 2025, with monthly fluctuations of less than 0.2 percentage points. In the most recent available data:
- Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate as of May, 2025, was 3.7%, which is 0.5% below the U.S. rate of 4.2%.
- 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: +3.2% (+49,500 jobs)
- Transportation and Utilities: +1.6% (32,100 jobs)
- Professional and Business Service: +1.0% (+16,300 jobs)
The remaining six major industries also experienced positive over-the-year job growth in May:
- Total Government
- Construction
- Financial Activities
- Manufacturing
- Leisure and Hospitality
- Information
Florida’s overall nonagricultural employment totaled 10,088,400, representing an over-the-year increase of 140,300 (+1.4%).
North Central Florida’s Unemployment Rates
Unemployment rates across the Local Workforce Development Board 26 counties continue to track close to the state average:
- Alachua County: 4.1% (5,915)
- Bradford County: 3.9% (405)
- Columbia County: 4.2% (1,185)
- Union County: 4.7% (204)
- Gilchrist County: 3.6% (295)
- Dixie County: 4.4% (263)
This reflects an upward trend in comparison to May 2024 unemployment rates.
Notable Regional Employment Trends
- The Gainesville MSA added approximately 3,400 nonagricultural jobs over the 12-month period preceding May 2025.
- Education and Health Services remained the fastest-growing sector statewide.
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.
