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Job creation in Florida, 2006

That's how many new non farm jobs Florida created in 2006. The state boasted the fastest job growth rate (even as construction jobs shrank late in the year) and the lowest unemployment rate (3.3 percent) among the nation's 10 most populous states.

By KEN WALKER
Published January 23, 2007

That's how many new non farm jobs Florida created in 2006. The state boasted the fastest job growth rate (even as construction jobs shrank late in the year) and the lowest unemployment rate (3.3 percent) among the nation's 10 most populous states. Officially, at the end of 2006, only 304,000 Floridians were unemployed, while 8,866,000 had jobs. Not a bad year. So what kinds of work made up these 215,200 jobs? According to Florida's Agency for Workforce Innovation, the state gained jobs across most broad industries except manufacturing. Let's look at the statewide details:

215,200

Government

Last of the job gainers, adding 23,800 jobs, mostly in local government.

23,800

Trade, transportation and utilities

Added 25,200 jobs, mostly in the retail trade (12,400 jobs). Clothing and accessory stores (8,300 jobs) was the fastest-growing niche.

25,200

Education and health services

Sector ranked third in new jobs (31,900), with 27,000 coming from the health care and social assistance sectors, notably 11,800 in ambulatory health care services.

31,900

Leisure and hospitality

The No. 2 industry, adding 33,600 jobs. The majority (23,600) were in food services and drinking places.

33,600

Professional and business services

Up 63,100 jobs, or 4.6 percent - nearly one of every three jobs created last year. Of those, employment services gained 18,000 jobs and led this industry sector.

63,100

Manufacturing

- 3,700

Most of the 3,700 jobs lost came from durable goods (- 2,100 jobs) and nondurable goods (- 1,600 jobs) like textiles. Machinery manufacturing actually added 900 jobs in '06.

[Last modified January 23, 2007, 01:45:46]