Unemployment down

Construction jobs are booming in South Florida, with more than 10,000 jobs added in March over the year.

March’s unemployment numbers declined in Broward and Palm Beach counties but remained the same in Miami-Dade County, according to data released Friday by the state.

Meanwhile, construction jobs are still booming in South Florida, with all three counties adding more than 10,000 jobs in March over the year.

“Good, solid economic conditions and population growth are leading to growth in residential construction,” said Gus Faucher, chief economist for PNC Bank. He said increased business activity also is driving commercial construction.

“The job market is getting tighter and tighter,” he said. “Businesses are having difficulty finding workers.” He said the job market is only going “to continue to get tighter in 2018.”

Broward’s jobless rate fell to 3.5 percent from 3.9 percent in March 2017, while Palm Beach County’s rate was 3.6 percent, compared with 4 percent in the same month a year ago.

Miami-Dade’s unemployment was 4.9 percent, the same level as a year ago.

Broward added the most jobs in the region: 11,500, an increase of 1.4 percent over the year. The county added the most jobs — 3,400 — in construction, followed by 1,800 in professional and business services; 1,700 in other services; 1,500 in trade, transportation and utilities; 1,000 in education and health services; 900 in manufacturing; 800 in utilities; and 400 in government.

Jobs in information and in leisure and hospitality were unchanged over the year.

Palm Beach County added 5,453 jobs, an increase of 0.7 percent over the year. The county added the most jobs — 2,700 — in construction, followed by 2,500 in leisure and hospitality; 1,900 in professional and business services; 1,000 in government; 900 in financial activities; and 600 in manufacturing.

The county lost 2,500 jobs in education and health services; 800 in information; 100 in trade, transportation and utilities; and 100 in other services.

Miami-Dade added the most jobs — 4,300 — in mining, logging and construction, followed by 3,900 in manufacturing; 3,700 in education and health services; 3,400 in professional and business services; and 600 in trade, transportation and utilities.

Florida’s unemployment rate is a seasonally adjusted 3.9 percent, down from 4.4 percent in March 2017. The state’s rate remains lower than the U.S. unemployment rate of 4.1 percent.