Overall unemployment rate moved up to 2.6% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 6,900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2023.

Total employment in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL market rose by 9,677 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 2.6%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL unemployment rate is 126 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 70 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in January versus prior month by 4.1% 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 January 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.5%. Key sectors include:

  • Business Services: 297,300; +4,000
  • Transportation & Utilities: 282,400; -6,900
  • Education & Healthcare: 229,200; -1,700
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 166,400; +1,300
  • Government: 155,100; -400
  • Financial Services: 139,700; +500
  • Construction, Mining: 91,400; -3,500
  • Manufacturing: 75,400; +500
  • Other Jobs: 50,800; -100
  • IT & Development: 28,200; -800
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Unemployment by Industry January 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2023 (Data published March 2023 and reports created on March 17, 2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.