Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.2% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 5,800 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2021.

Total employment in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL market rose by 24,209 jobs in February and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 4.2%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 26 bps over the same time to 6.6%.

  • Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL unemployment rate is 235 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 120 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in February versus prior month by -1.0% 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 February 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.0% . Key sectors include:

  • Business Services: 256,000; +2,200
  • Transportation & Utilities: 253,100; -800
  • Education & Healthcare: 216,000; +5,800
  • Government: 155,300; +1,600
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 136,600; +2,700
  • Financial Services: 126,900; +800
  • Construction, Mining: 85,400; +1,100
  • Manufacturing: 67,700; +500
  • Other Jobs: 46,400; +300
  • IT & Development: 24,100; no change
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Unemployment by Industry February 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2021 (Data published April 2021 and reports created on April 9, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.