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Florida's Jobless Rate Reaches 7 Percent In October

Tribune file photo by ANDY JONES (2007)

Florida has lost 79,800 construction jobs over the past year. Other hard-hit sectors included professional and business services, manufacturing and financial activities.

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By MICHAEL SASSO | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 21, 2008

TAMPA - Florida's unemployment rate jumped to 7 percent in October, the highest rate since December 1993, according to state figures released today.

The state's jobless rate rose from 6.6 percent in September, according to the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation. The rate was 4.3 percent in October 2007. Florida continued to shed jobs, losing 156,200 nonagricultural jobs between October 2007 and last month, for a job-growth rate of minus 1.9 percent.

Construction continues to be the hardest hit industry. Over the year, it lost 79,800 jobs, for a growth rate of minus 13.7 percent. Other hard-hit sectors included professional and business services (down 46,900 jobs), manufacturing (down 19,900 jobs) and financial activities (down 11,900 jobs).

However, a few industries bucked the trend, including education and health services, which added 35,100 jobs over the year, and leisure and hospitality, which added 9,400 jobs.

Locally, Hillsborough County's unemployment rate rose to 7 percent in October from 6.8 percent in September. In the same period, Pinellas County's jobless rate rose to 7.1 percent from 6.7 percent, and Pasco County's rate rose to 8.4 percent from 8.1 percent.

Reporter Michael Sasso can be reached at (813) 259-7865.

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