Overall unemployment rate moved up to 4.7% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 3,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2021.

Total employment in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL market rose by 5,539 jobs in March and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 4.7%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 6.2%.

  • Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL unemployment rate is 148 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 80 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in March versus prior month by -0.7% and are up 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 March 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.3% . Key sectors include:

  • Business Services: 259,700; +1,200
  • Transportation & Utilities: 253,200; -700
  • Education & Healthcare: 213,100; +800
  • Government: 155,900; +600
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 140,000; +3,000
  • Financial Services: 125,600; -1,600
  • Construction, Mining: 85,700; no change
  • Manufacturing: 67,800; -100
  • Other Jobs: 46,700; +400
  • IT & Development: 24,700; +500
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Unemployment by Industry March 2021

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

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.