(FORT LAUDERDALE, FL) – Broward County’s job report indicated a 4.4% unemployment rate in May 2026. This rate was 1.1 percentage points greater than the region’s year ago at a rate of 3.3% and equal to the previous month and the state’s rate of 4.4%. The labor force was 1,071,619, down 5,879 (-0.5%) over the year. There were 47,437 unemployed residents in the region. 

Nonagricultural employment in the Ft. Lauderdale-Pompano Bch-Sunrise Metro Division was 918,900, a decrease of 8,300 jobs (-0.9%) over the year. 

 

The Government (+1.4 percent) and Manufacturing (+0.3 percent) industries grew faster in the metro area than statewide over the year.

 

The Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Sunrise MD had the highest annual job growth compared to all the metro areas in the state in the Government (+1,500 jobs) industry.

 

“While Broward County’s latest workforce data reflects a year-over-year decrease in employment, May’s unemployment rate remained unchanged from April and equal to the state at 4.4%. 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 May 2026, the industries gaining jobs over the year were Government (+1,500 jobs), Education and Health Services (+900 jobs), and Manufacturing (+100 jobs).

Nonagricultural employment showed a month-to-month decrease of 3,200 jobs, with the following industries gaining jobs month over month: Government (+500 jobs, +0.4%) and Professional and Business Services (+400 jobs, +0.2%).

Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.8% in May 2026, unchanged from the April 2026 rate, and up 1.1 percentage points from a year ago. There were 531,000 jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 11,145,000. The U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3% in May.

Source: Florida Department of Commerce, Bureau of Labor Market Statistics - Not Seasonally Adjusted.  June 19th, 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 total nonagricultural employment was 10,024,300 in May 2026, a decrease of 2,000 jobs (less than -0.1%) over the month. The state gained 11,000 jobs over the year, an increase of 0.1%. Nationally, the number of jobs rose 0.3% over the year.

Seven of ten major industries experienced negative over-the-year job growth in May 2026. The industries gaining jobs over the year were education and health services (+31,400 jobs, +2.0%), professional and business services (+17,600 jobs, +1.1%), and leisure and hospitality (+5,300 jobs, +0.4%).

The unemployment rate in Palm Beach County was 4.4% in May 2026. This rate was 0.9 percentage points greater than the region's year ago rate of 3.5%. The labor force was 774,583, down 3,930 (-0.5%) over the year. There were 34,403 unemployed residents in the region.  In May 2026, nonagricultural employment in the West Palm Bch-Boca Raton-Delray Bch Metro Division was 708,700, a decrease of 3,500 (-0.5%) over the year. 

For Miami-Dade County, the unemployment rate was 2.6% in May 2026. This rate was equal to the region's year ago rate of 2.6%. In May 2026, nonagricultural employment in the Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall Metropolitan Division was 1,363,100, an increase of 2,700 jobs (+0.2%) over the year. In May 2026, the labor force was 1,413,654, down 3,872 (-0.3%) over the year. There were 37,132 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. June 19th, 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.

 

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