Overall unemployment rate moved up to 2.6% with the biggest shift in Business Services, which gained 5,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2022.

Total employment in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL market declined by 1,972 jobs in October and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 2.6%. The national unemployment rate increased by 8 bps over the same time to 3.4%.

  • Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL unemployment rate is 80 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) grew in October versus prior month by 2.9% 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 October 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.1% . Key sectors include:

  • Business Services: 280,500; +5,100
  • Transportation & Utilities: 280,000; +4,700
  • Education & Healthcare: 231,600; +2,900
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 170,500; +100
  • Government: 153,700; +1,100
  • Financial Services: 137,300; +1,200
  • Construction, Mining: 88,400; +100
  • Manufacturing: 71,800; no change
  • Other Jobs: 51,200; +1,600
  • IT & Development: 28,700; +100
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Unemployment by Industry October 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through October 2022 (Data published December 2022 and reports created on December 2, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.