Florida Outperforms Nation in Private Sector Job Growth for Twenty-Eighth Consecutive Month

Florida continues to outperform the nation in private sector job growth. Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced Florida’s private sector employment grew by 3.3 percent, with a gain of 277,000 jobs over the year in July 2023, faster than the national rate of 2.2 percent over the same time period. In the month of July, Florida’s private sector job growth rate increased by 0.5 percent, adding 42,800 jobs, according to official numbers.

Florida’s economic data continues to indicate economic stability and confidence among Florida’s workforce as the state’s labor force grew by 2.6 percent, with a gain of 280,000 jobs over the year in July 2023, faster than the national over-the-year rate of 1.9 percent.

Florida has outperformed the nation in over-the-year private sector job growth for 28 consecutive months in July 2023.

“For the last four years, Florida has led the nation with more than 2.5 million new businesses formations and over 1 million Floridians joining the workforce,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Florida’s success is the direct result of freedom first policies that support business owners and job seekers along with record investments in workforce education and infrastructure that spur economic growth.”

According to Florida's employment data,

• Florida’s unemployment rate is 2.7 percent (2.66 percent compared to prior month’s 2.63 percent) in July 2023, marking 33 consecutive months below the national unemployment rate of 3.5 percent and fourteen consecutive months as the lowest among the nation’s 10 largest states.
• Florida added 42,800 private sector jobs in July 2023, which was the largest gain in private sector jobs since September 2022 and Florida’s 12^th highest month of growth over the last 33 months.
• Florida’s labor force grew by 42,000, Florida’s 6^th highest month of growth over the last 33 months.

“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida continues to lead the nation in supporting all key foundations for the success of job seekers and job creators alike, and the Florida approach continues to show the nation how to best give confidence to job seekers and job creators,” said Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “This month’s economic data is further proof that freedom first policies – such as record investments in workforce education, modern infrastructure and workforce housing – are investments in opportunities for businesses and families alike.”

In July, the education and health services sector gained the most jobs among all major industries, adding 14.300 jobs from the previous month, followed by professional and business services adding 10,600 jobs; and trade, transportation, and utilities, adding 5,100 jobs.

In the month of July, nearly 545,000 jobs are posted online in the State of Florida. Floridians in search of work and new job opportunities are encouraged to turn to the CareerSource Florida network for help. Floridians can find guidance on how to register with Employ Florida and search listings of available local job openings. The state also provides free services including resume writing and interview skills training.