Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.9% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 6,600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in November 2021.

Total employment in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL market rose by 24,824 jobs in September and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 3.9%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 72 bps over the same time to 4.6%.

  • Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL unemployment rate is 66 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 210 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in September versus prior month by 0.2% 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 September 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.2% . Key sectors include:

  • Business Services: 273,000; +2,400
  • Transportation & Utilities: 258,300; +3,900
  • Education & Healthcare: 217,900; +6,600
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 154,100; +2,900
  • Government: 151,700; +1,900
  • Financial Services: 128,900; +700
  • Construction, Mining: 86,400; -700
  • Manufacturing: 67,500; +100
  • Other Jobs: 49,400; -100
  • IT & Development: 25,200; -300
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Unemployment by Industry September 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through September 2021 (Data published November 2021 and reports created on November 3, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.