(FORT LAUDERDALE, FL) – Broward County’s job report indicated a 4.6% unemployment rate in July 2026. This rate was 0.7 percentage points greater than the region’s year ago at a rate of 3.9% and equal to the state’s rate of 4.6%. The labor force was 1,067,539, down 8,491 (-0.8%) over the year. There were 49,140 unemployed residents in the region.  

Nonagricultural employment in the Ft. Lauderdale-Pompano Bch-Sunrise Metro Division was 908,200, a decrease of 4,000 jobs (>-0.1%) over the year.  

The Education and Health Services (+2.5 percent); Construction (+1.9 percent); and Government (+1.3 percent) industries grew as fast or 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 (+1,300 jobs) industry, and the second fastest annual job growth in the Construction (+1.9%) industry. 

“While Broward County’s latest workforce data reflects a year-over-year decrease in employment, July’s unemployment rate in Broward County remains par with the State. 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 July 2026, the industries gaining jobs over the year were Education and Health Services (+3,100 jobs); Government (+1,300 jobs); Construction (+1,000 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (+600 jobs) and Manufacturing (+300 jobs). 

Nonagricultural employment overall showed a month-to-month decrease of 300 jobs. The following major sectors gained jobs month after month: Construction (+900 jobs, +1.7%), Financial Activities (+500 jobs, +0.7%), Professional and Business Services (+400 jobs, +0.2%), and Manufacturing (+100 jobs, +0.3%). The Information and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities sectors remained stable month after month.

Source: Florida Department of Commerce, Bureau of Labor Market Statistics – Not Seasonally Adjusted

Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.6% in July 2026, down 0.1 percentage point from the 4.7% rate om June 2026, and up 0.7 percentage points from a year ago. There were 515,000 jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 11,121,000. The U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.1% in July.

Florida’s seasonally adjusted total nonagricultural employment was 10,037,300 in July 2026, an increase of 4,500 jobs (less than +0.1%) over the month. The state gained 41,000 jobs over the year, an increase of 0.4%. Nationally, the number of jobs rose 0.2% over the year.

Six of ten major industries experienced positive over-the-year job growth in July 2026. The industries gaining jobs over the year were education and health services (+13,600 jobs, +0.8 percent), professional and business services (+13,600 jobs, +0.8 percent), leisure and hospitality (+13,200 jobs, +1.0 percent), manufacturing (+4,200 jobs, +1.0 percent), trade, transportation, and utilities (+3,800 jobs, +0.2 percent), and other services (+2,700, +0.4%). 

The unemployment rate in Palm Beach County was 4.8% in July 2026. This rate was 0.7 percentage points greater than the region's year ago rate of 4.1%. The labor force was 768,882, down 4,133 (-0.5%) over the year. There were 36,530 unemployed residents in the region.  In July 2026, nonagricultural employment in the West Palm Bch-Boca Raton-Delray Bch Metro Division was 697,300, an increase of 3,700 (+0.5%) over the year.  

For Miami-Dade County, the unemployment rate was 2.5% in July 2026. This rate was 0.4 percentage points lower than the region's year ago rate of 2.9%. In July 2026, nonagricultural employment in the Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall Metropolitan Division was 1,343,400, an increase of 10,800 jobs (+0.8%) over the year. In July 2026, the labor force was 1,431,927, up 1,877 (+0.1%) over the year. There were 35,636 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

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.

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance
110 E. Broward Blvd., Suite 1990, Fort Lauderdale, FL  33301
954-524-3113 or 800-741-1420

 

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