Janelle Irwin Taylor
Job growth in Florida leads the nation’s 10 most populous states. Gov. Rick Scott said Wednesday the private-sector growth rate was 3.9 percent in June.
The Scott administration said this is the fourth month in a row Florida has bested the other nine most populous states for the top job growth.
“These positive economic trends show our pro-growth policies are working for Florida families. Florida continues to beat larger states in job growth rates, and we are leading the rest of the nation in the number of jobs created,” Scott said. “Florida is clearly the best state to live, work, and raise a family.”
In addition to out-ranking states like Texas and California in private-sector job growth, Florida is ranked second in the nation and the Sunshine State’s rate is significantly higher than the national average of just 2.5 percent.
According to Scott, Florida ranked second in June in total private-sector jobs added, with more than 265,200 jobs created throughout the year.
Scott said this is the third month in a row since the recession that Florida created more private-sector jobs than Texas.
“Florida’s economic resurgence continues to set a national standard. Our job growth rate outpaces the national rate and is the best among large states,” said Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Jesse Panuccio. “This growth is the result of smart policy—cutting taxes and regulation allows the private sector to thrive.”
Florida also led the U.S. in financial industry job gains with more than 14,400 jobs added. That’s more than any other state.
According to Panuccio, Florida businesses have created nearly 900,000 private-sector jobs since 2010 and this June, unemployment dropped nearly half from the 2010 levels to just 5.5 percent. That’s the lowest unemployment rate since March 2008.
