Florida added 36,600 private sector jobs in October, the most the Sunshine State has seen in ten years, as the unemployment rate dropped to 5.1 percent.
In August, the state unemployment rate stood at 5.3 percent, dipping down to 5.2 percent in September.
“Today we are proud to announce that October was the highest month for job growth in ten years, with 36,600 private-sector jobs created in Florida,” Scott said before turning to his call for $1 billion in tax cuts, mostly for manufacturing. “We look forward to cutting $1 billion in taxes so we can diversify our economy to make Florida first for job growth.”
“October was a very strong month for Florida’s economy,” noted Jesse Panuccio, the executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. “We had our best month for job growth in ten years, and the unemployment rate fell again. We are seeing the results of pro-growth policy—tax cuts, a strong business recruitment program, and investments in education and infrastructure. If we keep those priorities, our economy will maintain this growth.”
The state unemployment rate remains slightly above the national average which stood at 5.0 percent in October. Since Scott took office at the start of 2011, the unemployment rate has dropped 5.6 percent.
In the past year, the professional and business services industry led the way with 49,700 new jobs. Florida has seen record-high tourism numbers so far this year and the leisure and hospitality industry has seen 49,100 new jobs. The education and health services industry saw 48,400 new jobs created in Florida over the last year while the trade, transportation, and utilities sector has seen 45,300 new jobs over the last year.
Monroe County continues to have the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 3.4 percent with St. Johns County on the First Coast as the next lowest at 3.6 percent. Alachua and Okaloosa counties are the next lowest with unemployment rates of 4.2 percent each.
Hendry County continues to have the highest unemployment rate in the state at 9.4 percent but the unemployment rate had been in the double digits over the summer at 12.2 percent back in August and 11.4 percent in September. The next highest was Hardee County at 7.9 percent, down from 8.6 percent in September. Highlands County and Putnam County were next at 6.9 percent. In September, Highlands County had a 7.3 percent unemployment rate.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
