FloridaCommerce Announces the Jacksonville Area September 2024 Employment Data

FloridaCommerce Announces Jacksonville Metro Area Has Fastest Over-the-Year Job Growth Rate in Education and Health Services of All Metro Areas in September 2024

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Today, FloridaCommerce announced the Jacksonville metro area has the fastest over-the-year job growth rate in education and health services of all metro areas. The education and health services sector increased by 4.7% (+5,900 jobs). The area's total private sector employment increased by 1.9% (+13,300 jobs) over the year in September 2024.

The Jacksonville area unemployment rate was 3.4% in September 2024, a 0.2 percentage point increase from the September 2023 rate of 3.2%. The Jacksonville metro area's labor force was 853,061, down 0.2% over the year in September 2024.

Florida's statewide unemployment rate has remained lower than the national unemployment rate for 47 consecutive months. Florida's statewide unemployment rate remains at 3.3%, and in September 2024, Florida added 175,600 private sector jobs over-the-year.

Florida's private sector job growth continues to outpace the national average, with a growth rate of 2% over-the-year since September 2023, compared to the national rate of 1.4% over the same time period. Florida's job creators continue to experience success, adding jobs in 50 of the last 53 months.

In September 2024 the education and health services sector gained the most jobs among all major industries, adding 5,100 jobs (+0.3%) from the previous month. This was followed by construction, which added 3,600 jobs (+0.5%) from the previous month. Florida's labor force declined by 0.1% (-12,000) over the year since September 2023.

Resources for Job Seekers:

• Florida's Labor Exchange Marketplace, Employ Florida, connects job seekers to employment, training, and education and job creators to skilled talent.
• CareerSource Florida's network of local career centers offers tailored career counseling, skills assessments, resume assistance, and job placement support.
• Apprentice Florida is a partnership between the Florida Department of Education, Florida Commerce, and CareerSource Florida to expand apprenticeship programs across the state.
• Veterans Florida works to help military veterans transition to civilian life, connecting them with employers who are eager to hire them for jobs that align with the skills they gained serving in the military.
• The Military Family Employment Advocacy Program delivers priority workforce services to active-duty military spouses and family members through Military Family Employment Advocates located in local career centers throughout Florida.

Data in the month of September continues to indicate there are jobs available for every Floridian who wants to work, with more than 392,000 jobs posted online. Floridians in search of work and new job opportunities can utilize 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. Career seekers also can improve their employability by perfecting resume writing and interviewing skills, establishing career goals, and pursuing customized career training. These services are provided at no cost to job seekers.

To view the September 2024 jobs reports by region, please see below:

To view September 2024 employment data, click here.

Visit Florida Insight for more information on the labor market and economic data. Additionally, FloridaCommerce has provided a video to assist users in explaining the data provided through Florida Insight.

"Immediately after Hurricane Milton made landfall, Governor DeSantis directed FloridaCommerce small business strike teams into the field to connect with impacted businesses and provide direct support," said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. "Above all else, Florida's unwavering focus on small businesses and the workforce will ensure recovery to be efficient and robust for our private sector."

In the hours after Hurricane Milton made landfall, FloridaCommerce immediately began reaching out to small businesses across the state. FloridaCommerce deployed 65 agency employees into more than 140 hurricane-impacted communities, doing business-to-business canvassing, connecting one-on-one with small business owners, and providing information about the support available for small businesses. Teams were deployed to Alachua, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Saint Johns, Saint Lucie, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia Counties.

In record time, FloridaCommerce has approved more than $5.3 million in funding through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program for 130 businesses impacted by Hurricane Milton, more than $12.2 million for 294 small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene, and $3.9 million for 107 small businesses impacted by Hurricane Debby.

This week, FloridaCommerce strike teams have canvassed 180 businesses in Charlotte, Citrus, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, and Pinellas counties, and Secretary Kelly joined Lieutenant Governor Jeannette Nuñez and met with hurricane-impacted small business owners in Boca Grande, Pine Island, and Punta Gorda. Business owners shared how Hurricane Milton impacted their businesses and their unmet needs and the FloridaCommerce team was able to provide direct support to those businesses.

Hurricane Recovery Resources:

• Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $50 million available for businesses impacted by Hurricane Milton. Florida small business owners in need of assistance, including sole proprietors, are encouraged to visit FloridaJobs.org/EBL to the program. The program provides short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to Hurricane Milton. Interested applicants can apply now through December 4, 2024, or until all available funds are expended.
• FloridaCommerce and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey in response to Hurricane Milton. Business owners can self-report physical and economic damage caused by Hurricane Milton. Survey responses will allow the state to expedite Hurricane Milton recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of impacted businesses. Businesses can complete the survey online by visiting FloridaDisaster.biz and selecting "Hurricane Milton" from the dropdown menu.
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton and are not eligible for regular state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits. Eligible Floridians whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to Hurricane Helene are encouraged to submit a claim at FloridaJobs.org.
• The Hope Florida Line is available to assist those in need of resources or other assistance after the storm at 833-GET-HOPE.

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