The Southwest Florida labor force increased by 13,390 year-over-year in January, according to data from FloridaCommerce. Fort Myers’ area unemployment rate was 3.4% in January, unchanged from a year ago. The area had the fastest over-the-year job growth rate compared to all metro areas in the state in construction at 9%.
The area’s labor force grew by 9,793 over the year, a 2.6% increase, and the Naples area labor force increased by 3,597 over the year, a 1.9% increase.
The Naples area had a 3% unemployment rate, up 0.3% over the year.
The Fort Myers industries gaining the most jobs over the year were construction, increasing by 3,500 jobs; trade, transportation and utilities, increasing by 1,700 jobs; and leisure and hospitality, increasing by 1,300 jobs. The Naples area industries gaining the most jobs over the year were construction, increasing by 1,000 jobs; leisure and hospitality, increasing by 900 jobs; and trade, transportation and utilities, increasing by 900 jobs.
