Overall unemployment rate moved up to 2.6% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 5,600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in May 2023.

Total employment in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL market rose by 16,641 jobs in March and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 2.6%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 27 bps over the same time to 3.6%.

  • Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL unemployment rate is 102 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 20 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in March versus prior month by 3.8% and are equal 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 2023

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

  • Business Services: 297,700; -1,000
  • Transportation & Utilities: 281,700; +400
  • Education & Healthcare: 239,400; +500
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 171,600; +5,600
  • Government: 155,400; -300
  • Financial Services: 138,700; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 94,800; +1,100
  • Manufacturing: 74,200; -300
  • Other Jobs: 49,900; -600
  • IT & Development: 28,200; -200
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Unemployment by Industry March 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2023 (Data published May 2023 and reports created on May 9,2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.