Broward County reports a May 2025 unemployment rate of 3.3 percent which remains below both the Florida and U.S. averages

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Broward County continued to show signs of resilience in its local labor market, with the unemployment rate for May 2025 standing at 3.3%, outpacing both the Florida state average of 3.5% and the national average of 4.2%. While slightly higher than the county’s May 2024 figure of 2.9%, the current rate still suggests a healthy local economy amid broader national economic uncertainty.

The county’s labor force in May stood at 1,086,514, marking a modest year-over-year increase of 3,441 people, or 0.3%. Of that workforce, 35,534 individuals were unemployed—up slightly from the previous year, but still significantly lower than in many other major metropolitan areas.

Nonagricultural employment in the Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Sunrise Metro Division reached 936,500 jobs, reflecting an annual gain of 9,800 positions, or 1.1% growth. The positive employment trend aligns with ongoing efforts to diversify the county’s economy and attract investment to the region.

“Broward County year-over-year job growth in nonagricultural sectors remains positive in May 2025 with an addition of 9,800 Jobs over the past year. The interest in Greater Fort Lauderdale as a location of choice and the local expansions in our targeted industries remains strong and continues supporting the overall year-over-year job growth trends,” said Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance President/CEO, Bob Swindell. “We thank our many partners, investors and leaders at Broward County and our municipalities, who have been working with us to grow and diversify the economy.”

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Several of Broward’s key industries experienced stronger growth than the state as a whole. Six sectors in particular posted above-average performance compared to other regions across Florida:

• Other Services saw a 3.8% increase
• Leisure and Hospitality rose by 2.0%
• Trade, Transportation, and Utilities grew by 1.9%
• Government employment also increased by 1.9%
• Manufacturing rose by 1.6%
• Financial Activities experienced a modest 0.9% gain

In terms of raw job numbers, the Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Deerfield Beach metro area ranked second in the state for annual job growth in several key industries. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 3,800 jobs, Government jobs rose by 2,100, and the Other Services sector added 1,400 jobs.

Despite these gains, the region did experience some minor setbacks in month-to-month figures. Between April and May, Broward lost a total of 1,400 jobs across four sectors:

• Education and Health Services (-1,000 jobs, -0.8%)
• Leisure and Hospitality (-200 jobs, -0.2%)
• Information (-100 jobs, -0.5%)
• Construction (-100 jobs, -0.2%)

These monthly fluctuations are not uncommon and do not indicate any significant downturns, according to local analysts. They are often reflective of seasonal hiring patterns or minor economic shifts.

Compared to neighboring counties, Broward’s employment figures present a mixed yet largely optimistic outlook.

Palm Beach County recorded a slightly higher unemployment rate of 3.4% in May, compared to 3.1% a year earlier. Its labor force grew to 780,445 people, up 0.5%, while the number of unemployed residents rose to 26,860. Nonagricultural employment in that region reached 712,100, gaining 9,400 jobs over the year.

Meanwhile, Miami-Dade County continued to show even lower unemployment at just 2.7%, despite a 0.4% increase from last May’s rate of 2.3%. Miami-Dade added the most new jobs in the region, with a year-over-year gain of 23,700 jobs (+1.8%). However, the total labor force shrank by 21,544 people over the year, a 1.5% decrease—suggesting some residents may have exited the job market entirely.

At the state level, Florida’s unemployment rate stood at 3.7% in May, unchanged from March but up slightly from 3.3% the previous year. The state’s labor force included 11.2 million people, of which 414,000 were unemployed. Florida’s total nonagricultural employment grew to 10,086,700 jobs, a 1.5% annual increase. All ten major industries in the state saw job gains, reinforcing a general trend of continued economic expansion.

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The positive employment numbers in Broward County are also credited to the efforts of organizations like the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, which has been instrumental in driving economic development in the region. The Alliance, Broward County’s official public-private partnership for economic development, works closely with local governments, investors, and the business community to create and retain jobs.

Its services include assistance with business relocation, incentive programs, market research, and workforce development initiatives that connect employers with talent through collaborations with CareerSource Broward and local educational institutions.

The Alliance’s mission is focused on long-term sustainability. By targeting high-value industries and supporting infrastructure that fosters innovation, the organization is positioning Broward County for growth beyond traditional sectors like tourism and retail.

Looking ahead, local economists believe that Broward’s employment base will continue to benefit from steady investment and population growth. The county’s ability to maintain an unemployment rate below the state and national averages, even amid broader inflation and interest rate concerns, underscores the stability of the local economy.

While some challenges remain—including pockets of labor shortages and uneven gains across different industries—the overall picture is one of growth and opportunity.

With a diverse mix of sectors leading job creation, a growing labor force, and strategic support from organizations like the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, Broward County is positioned to finish 2025 on strong economic footing.

For more information about economic development services in Broward County, or to get involved in local business initiatives, visit the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance at www.gflalliance.org or call (954) 524-3113.