Construction jobs boom in South Florida

Growth outpaces statewide number

South Florida outpaced the state in construction job growth in June, according to Florida’s Department of Economic Opportunity.

Construction jobs grew 8.8 percent in Broward County, 8.6 percent in Palm Beach County, and 13.1 percent in Miami-Dade County, over June 2017.

Meanwhile, unemployment dipped in the tricounty region to 3.7 percent in Broward, 3.9 percent in Palm Beach County, and 4.1 percent in Miami-Dade, the state said. That compares with year-ago rates of 4.0 percent in Broward, 4.2 percent in Palm Beach County, and 4.9 percent in MiamiDade.

In total, Broward added 14,164 jobs, an increase of 1.4 percent over the year, according to the state data released Friday.

Broward added 4,100 jobs over the year in construction; 3,300 in professional and business services; 2,900 in other services; 1,700 in financial activities; 1,100 in trade, transportation and utilities; 800 in government; 200 in manufacturing; and 100 in leisure and hospitality.

The county lost 100 jobs in education and health services over the year.

Palm Beach County added 923 jobs, an increase of 0.1 percent over the year. The county added 3,100 jobs in construction; 1,600 in leisure and hospitality; 1,500 in financial activities; 900 in manufacturing; 700 in professional and business services; and 200 in other services.

The county lost 3,700 jobs over the year in education and health services; 700 in information; 300 in trade, transportation and utilities; and 200 in government.

Miami-Dade added 16,900 jobs, an increase of 1.4 percent over June 2017. The county added 7,000 jobs in manufacturing; 6,200 in construction; 4,400 in trade, transportation and utilities; 3,700 in education and health services; and 200 in other services.

The county lost 2,000 jobs over the year in government; 1,200 in leisure and hospitality; 600 in financial activities; 500 in professional and business services; and 300 in information.

Florida’s unemployment was a seasonally adjusted 3.8 percent in June, down from 4.1 percent a year ago.