Florida leading U.S. in job growth

South Florida’s unemployment continued to decline in May over a year ago, while jobs swelled in most industries, according to data released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

“There was a solid increase in the state, a continuation of the story where Florida continues to lead the nation in job growth,” said Gus Faucher, chief economist for PNC Bank who follows employment in the state.

The monthly report is a positive indicator for anyone looking for work, experts say. For example, college graduates this spring should find more jobs in the region, state and the United States than many who walked for their diplomas in the years before them.

“This is the best time to look for a job in 12 or 13 years. People who are graduating in 2018 are very fortunate,” Faucher said.

Sean Snaith, economist for the University of Central Florida in Orlando, said: “It’s about as good a labor market that you could hope to graduate in. Overall, you couldn’t come out of college at a better time.”

Broward County’s jobless rate in May was 3.2 percent compared with 3.8 percent a year ago, the state said Friday. The Palm Beach County rate was 3.3 percent compared with 3.9 percent in 2017. Miami-Dade County’s rate was 3.9 percent compared with 4.7 percent a year ago.

Broward added the most jobs in the region: 10,600, an increase of 1.3 percent over the year.

The county added the most jobs — 4,300 — in construction, followed by 3,600 in professional and business services; 1,600 in financial activities; 1,000 in trade, transportation and utilities; 700 in other services; 400 in government; and 200 in manufacturing.

The county lost 700 jobs over the year in leisure and hospitality; 400 in education and health services; and 100 in information.

Palm Beach County added 238 jobs, an increase of 0.03 percent over the year. The county also added the most jobs — 3,000 — in construction, followed by 1,800 in financial activities; 1,000 in leisure and hospitality; 900 in manufacturing; and 900 in government.

The county lost 4,000 jobs over the year in education and health services; 1,800 in business and professional services; 600 in trade, transportation and utilities; and 500 in information.

Miami-Dade added the most jobs — 7,200 — in manufacturing; 6,400 in construction; 2,700 in trade, transportation and utilities; 2,600 in education and health services; and 200 in other services.

The county lost 2,100 jobs over the year in government; 1,900 in financial activities; 1,600 in professional and business services; 800 in leisure and hospitality; and 600 in information.

Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in May, down 0.1 percentage point from a year ago. The state added 180,200 jobs over the year, an increase of 2.1 percent, according to the Department of Economic Opportunity.