South Floridians are working

State maintains ‘healthy’ job growth

Unemployment is at the lowest level in a decade, latest data show.

South Florida’s economy continued on a steady course in May, maintaining the lowest unemployment rate in a decade, and creating more jobs.

Broward’s jobless rate was 3.8 percent compared with 4.3 percent a year ago, the state said Friday. The Palm Beach County rate was 3.9 percent compared with 4.4 percent in 2016. Miami-Dade’s rate was 4.6 percent compared with 5.1 percent a year ago.

Amonth earlier, unemployment fell below 4 percent in Broward and Palm Beach County, the lowest level since 2007, according to Florida’s Department of Economic Opportunity.

Florida’s employment picture “is more of the same but the same is good,” said Mekael Teshome, Florida economist for PNC Bank. “At a state level, the rate is falling and job growth is being fairly healthy.”

Teshome said Florida was strong especially in business and professional jobs. “In May, the state was adding jobs that pay well,” he said.

Florida gained 228,000 jobs over the year, an increase of 2.7 percent.

The state’s comparable unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, down from 4.5 percent a year ago. The seasonally adjusted rate was 4.3 percent.

County numbers are not seasonally adjusted.

In May, Broward saw a 3.8 percent increase in job creation over the year: 11,700 jobs were added in business and professional services; 6,400in education and health services; 3,400 in leisure and hospitality; 3,300 in construction; 2,800 in trade, transportation and utilities; 2,200 in government; 1,200 in other services; and 400 in manufacturing.

Financial activities lost 300 jobs over the year.

Palm Beach County saw a 2.4 percent increase in jobs over the year: 4,300 in leisure and hospitality; 3,800 in business and professional services; 2,800 in construction; 2,300 in education and health services; 1,200 in government; 800 in other services; 500 in trade, transportation and utilities; and 400 in manufacturing.

Financial activities lost 1,200 jobs and information lost 200 jobs over the year.

Miami-Dade County saw an increase of 2.3 percent in jobs over the year: 6,300 in education and health; 5,200 in trade, transportation and utilities; 5,000 in leisure and hospitality; 3,700 in professional and business services; 2,600 ingovernment; 2,600 in other services; and1,500 in construction.

Information lost 200 jobs, manufacturing lost 100 jobs and financial activities lost 100 jobs over the year.