Florida’s Businesses Create More Than 200,000 Jobs Over the Year

April 22, 2019

Tallahassee, Fla. (April 19, 2019) —Florida’s private-sector businesses created 208,100 jobs over the year and 12,600 jobs in March. The unemployment rate remained at a low 3.5 percent. The labor force continued to grow with 158,000 people entering the labor force at an annual growth rate of 1.6 percent.

“Florida’s economy continues to thrive, but we will not rest,” saidGovernor DeSantis. “Our state is focused on creating a resilient business-friendly environment, with low taxes, decreased regulation and support for career and technical education to provide opportunities for all Floridians to succeed.”

Florida’s annual private-sector job growth rate of 2.7 percent continues to outpace the national job growth rate of 1.9 percent.

“Governor DeSantis has a bold vision for our state which includes all Floridians benefiting from a robust and diverse economy,” saidExecutive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Ken Lawson.“Today’s announcement reflects the confidence Florida businesses have in our state, as they continue to create new jobs and opportunities for our communities.”

Other positive economic indicators include:

Private-sector industries gaining the most jobs over-the-year were:
- Professional and business services with 50,500 new jobs;
- Education and health services with 40,000 new jobs;
- Leisure and hospitality with 28,900 new jobs;
- Trade, transportation and utilities with 26,300 new jobs;
- Construction with 24,100 new jobs; and
- Financial activities with 18,300 new jobs.
Florida job postings showed 286,258 openings in March 2019.
Consumer Sentiment Index is 100.8 in March 2019.

To view the March 2019 jobs report by region, please see below:

To view the March 2019 employment data visitwww.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.

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