(FORT LAUDERDALE, FL) – Broward County’s job report indicated a 4.6% unemployment rate in February 2026. This rate was 1.3 percentage points greater than the region’s year ago at a rate of 3.3% and 0.2 percentage points lower than the state’s rate of 4.8%. The labor force was 1,075,893, down 695 (-0.1%) over the year. There were 49,032 unemployed residents in the region. 

 

Nonagricultural employment in the Ft. Lauderdale-Pompano Bch-Sunrise Metro Division was 919,300, a decrease of 9,400 jobs (-1.0%) over the year. 

 

“While Broward County’s latest workforce data reflects a year-over-year moderation in employment and a higher unemployment rate, the region continues to demonstrate the underlying strengths that support long-term economic resilience. Greater Fort Lauderdale remains a highly competitive location for business investment, supported by strong infrastructure, talent pipeline initiatives, and continued momentum across our targeted industries," said Bob Swindell, President and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance. “This continued progress is made possible through the strong collaboration of our public and private partners, investors, and municipal leaders, whose shared commitment remains essential to strengthening and diversifying Broward County’s economy.”

 

Data and Analysis

 

As of February 2026, the following major industries grew faster in the metro area than statewide over the year: Government (+0.7%), Manufacturing (+0.3%) and Construction (+0.2%)

 

The industries gaining jobs over the year were Education and Health Services (+1,900 jobs), Government (+800 jobs), Construction (+100 jobs), and Manufacturing (+100 jobs).

Nonagricultural employment showed a month-to-month increase of 5,300 jobs, with nine out of 10 major industries gaining jobs month over month.

Source: Florida Department of Commerce, Bureau of Labor Market Statistics - Not Seasonally Adjusted.  April 17, 2026 data release.
Note: Unemployment and labor force statistics for October 2025 are not available due to a lapse in federal data collection activities

Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.6% in February 2026, up 0.1 percentage points from the January 2026 rate, and up 1.0 percentage points from a year ago. There were 516,000 jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 11,141,000. The U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.4% in February.

Florida’s seasonally adjusted total nonagricultural employment was 9,969,200 in February 2026, an increase of 1,800 jobs (less than +0.1%) over the month. The state lost 36,700 jobs over the year, a decrease of 0.4%. Nationally, the number of jobs rose 0.1% over the year.

 

Nine of ten major industries experienced negative over-the-year job growth in February 2026. The industry gaining jobs over the year was only education and health services (+35,500 jobs, +2.2%).

 

The unemployment rate in Palm Beach County was 4.8% in February 2026. This rate was 1.4 percentage points greater than the region's year ago rate of 3.4%. The labor force was 777,074, down 4,312 (-0.6%) over the year. There were 37,188 unemployed residents in the region.  In February 2026, nonagricultural employment in the West Palm Bch-Boca Raton-Delray Bch Metro Division was 702,800, a decrease of 10,500 (-1.5%) over the year. 

 

For Miami-Dade County, the unemployment rate was 2.8% in February 2026. This rate was 0.3 percentage points greater than the region's year ago rate of 2.5%. In February 2026, nonagricultural employment in the Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall Metropolitan Division was 1,359,600, a decrease of 1,200 jobs (-0.1%) over the year. In February 2026, the labor force was 1,445,297, up 10,098 (+0.7%) over the year. There were 40,100 unemployed residents in the region.

Below is a chart that indicates the monthly unemployment rates for the tri-county area, the state of Florida and the U.S. for the past 24 months.

Source: Florida Department of Commerce, Bureau of Labor Market Statistics. April 17, 2026 data release. 
Note: Unemployment and labor force statistics for October 2025 are not available due to a lapse in federal data collection activities

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance (www.gflalliance.org) is Broward County’s official public/private partnership for economic development.  Its mission is to lead Broward County in building a stronger and more diverse economy by stimulating the creation of new jobs and capital investment while facilitating the growth and retention of businesses in Broward County. Services offered by the Alliance include assistance with business relocation or expansion and site selection; incentive programs and information; market research; and serving as a liaison for workforce development between CareerSource Broward, educational institutions, and the business community.  
To learn more, call (954) 524-3113

Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance
110 E. Broward Blvd. Suite 1990 | Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
954.524.3113 | [email protected]

 

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