The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Announces the Jacksonville Area May 2021 Employment Data

~Jacksonville Metro Area Private Sector Employment Increased by 49,800 Jobs Over the Year~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced Florida has experienced thirteen consecutive months of job growth, gaining 595,000 private sector jobs over the year and 839,800 jobs since the height of the pandemic. In May, Florida gained 35,800 private sector jobs and added more than 52,500 online job postings over the month for a total of 512,858 available jobs posted online throughout the state. Florida’s unemployment rate of 4.9 percent has remained below the national rate, currently at 5.8 percent, for ten consecutive months. Florida’s unemployment rate has dramatically lowered over the year, decreasing by 9.3 percentage points.

The unemployment rate in the Jacksonville area was 4.2 percent in May, down from 11.0 percent reported in May 2020. The Jacksonville area private sector employment increased by 49,800 jobs over the year, an increase of 8.3 percent. The industries gaining the most jobs over the year include leisure and hospitality, increasing by 13,600 jobs, and trade, transportation, and utilities, increasing by 11,500 jobs.

Floridians in search of work and new job opportunities are encouraged to turn to the CareerSource Florida network for help. Floridians can find guidance to register with Employ Florida (EmployFlorida.com) and search listings of available local job openings. Career seekers also can improve employability assistance, perfecting resume writing, interviewing skills, establishing career goals, and pursuing customized career training. These services are provided at no cost to job seekers.

To view the May 2021 employment data, visit www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.