Florida Unemployment Rate Dips Slightly; Still Higher Than National Rate
MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — Florida's unemployment rate is now higher than the national rate.
The state's jobless rate in June was 6.2 percent. That's a slight dip from the previous month when it was 6.3 percent.
But the national unemployment rate is 6.1 percent. This is the first time in more than a year that Florida's rate is higher than the national rate.
The good economic news is that the state led the nation in job growth according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Florida gained more than 37,000 jobs in June. That was a turnaround from the previous month when the state shed nearly 18,000 jobs.
The Miami Metro Area gained 29,600 jobs over the year, which is the second-highest number of jobs in June among all metro areas in Florida compared to a year ago. The area's unemployment rate declined by 1.9 percent over the year, from 9.2 percent in June 2013 to 7.3 percent in June 2014.
Governor Rick Scott said, "Today's news that 29,600 jobs were created in the Miami area over the year is evidence that our pro-business policies are working in this part of the state. While this is great news, let's keep working to make an opportunity economy with jobs that will last for generations to come."
The industries with the largest job gains over the year in Miami were in trade, transportation, and utilities with 5,900 new jobs, and leisure and hospitality and professional and business services with 5,400 new jobs each.
The Fort Lauderdale Metro area gained 24,600 jobs over the year according to the June 2014 figures. The Ft. Lauderdale metro area's unemployment rate declined by 1.1 percentage points over the year, from 6.4 percent in June 2013 to 5.3 percent in June 2014.
The industries with the largest job gains over the year in this area of the state were in trade, transportation, and utilities with 7,600 jobs new jobs, construction with 4,200 new jobs, and professional and business services with 3,700 new jobs.
Economists have said the state's economy is recovering but slowly.
The latest figures show there are nearly 600,000 people out of work in the state.
Florida's statewide unemployment rate for June 2014 was 6.2 percent, down 1.2 percentage points from the June 2013 rate.
(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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