Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.5% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 8,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.

Total employment in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL market rose by 5,323 jobs in August and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 4.5%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 5.3%.

  • Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL unemployment rate is 79 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 270 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in August versus prior month by -0.7% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Unemployment August 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.1% . Key sectors include:

  • Business Services: 271,300; +5,400
  • Transportation & Utilities: 255,200; -600
  • Education & Healthcare: 211,500; -500
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 152,000; +800
  • Government: 149,800; +8,000
  • Financial Services: 128,000; +1,500
  • Construction, Mining: 87,600; -900
  • Manufacturing: 67,400; +300
  • Other Jobs: 49,700; +1,100
  • IT & Development: 25,300; +700
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Unemployment by Industry August 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 29, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.