South Florida at ‘full employment’

State unemployment at 3.7 percent; three counties added a total of 46,000 new jobs

South Florida added nearly 46,000 jobs in July over a year ago, while unemployment rates fell from a year ago, according to a report released Friday by Florida’s Department of Economic Opportunity.

“So far, so good,” said J. Antonio Villamil, economist with The Washington Economics Group in Coral Gables, when asked about Florida and the region’s job growth. “We’re back at full employment, and Florida is benefiting from growth in major industries.”

In Broward County, 13,800 jobs were added, 1.7 percent over a year ago, while unemployment was 3.7 percent, down from 4.1 percent a year ago.

Broward added 4,600 jobs over the year in professional and business services — the second highest in the state. The county also added 3,800 in construction; 3,100 in education and health services; 1,900 in other services; 1,100 in financial activities; 1,000 in manufacturing; and 600 in government.

The county lost 2,100 jobs over the year in leisure and hospitality; 100 in trade, transportation and utilities; and 100 in information.

In Palm Beach County, 7,700 jobs were added, a 1.3 percent increase over the year, with the bulk — 3,800 — in construction. The unemployment rate was 4 percent, down from 4.4 percent in July 2017.

The county also added 3,500 in leisure and hospitality; 1,500 in financial activities; 1,000 in manufacturing; 800 in other services; and 500 in business and professional services.

Palm Beach County lost 2,800 jobs over the year in education and health services; 200 in government; and 100 in information.

Miami-Dade County added 24,300 jobs, a 2.1 percent over the year, and had unemployment of 4.3 percent, down from 4.8 percent in July 2017.

The county saw its biggest increases in construction, 8,000 jobs, and manufacturing, 7,400 jobs. Miami-Dade also added 6,400 jobs in education and health services; 5,600 in trade, transportation and utilities; 200 in finance activities; 100 in professional and business services; and 100 in leisure and hospitality.

Miami-Dade lost 2,300 jobs in government; 1,000 in other services; and 200 in information.

Florida gained 210,600 jobs, an increase of 2.5 percent. Nationally, the number of jobs rose 1.6 percent over the year.

The state had a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.7 percent in July. That’s below the U.S. unemployment rate, which was 3.9 percent.

While Florida continues to outpace the nation on job growth, that could slow with anticipated federal rate hikes and the threat of trade wars, Villamil said.