Florida’s manufacturing industry is showing strong momentum, having added jobs for the fifth consecutive month in March 2025, according to a report Friday from the Florida Commerce Department.
The sector gained 1,900 jobs in March, contributing to an overall positive trend in the state’s labor market.
The latest figures reveal that Florida’s manufacturing industry reached a total of 434,600 jobs in March 2025, marking a significant over-the-year increase of 5,700 jobs, or 1.3%. This growth is further underscored by the fact that Florida is now home to 27,310 manufacturing establishments, a substantial 32% increase since the first quarter of 2019.
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“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida’s manufacturers continue to be successful,” stated Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. He further emphasized the state’s commitment to workforce development, noting, “With the 2025-2026 Focus of Fiscal Responsibility budget Governor DeSantis will have invested more than $10 billion in workforce education—making Florida a top state for workforce training. Florida’s manufacturers can continue to be confident in our state, its available and talented workforce, and its economic stability.”
The positive news in the manufacturing sector aligns with broader gains in Florida’s labor market. The state’s labor force now stands at nearly 11.2 million, an increase of 62,000 individuals (0.6%) over the past year.
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Furthermore, Florida employers have collectively added jobs in 56 of the last 59 months since May 2020, demonstrating a consistent pattern of job creation. Total private employment in the state has increased by 113,600 jobs (1.3%) over the year, outpacing the national rate of 1.2%.
Florida’s statewide unemployment rate has also remained consistently lower than the national rate for 53 consecutive months, since November 2020. The state’s private sector job growth rate has exceeded the national rate for a significant 46 of the last 48 months since April 2021.
In March 2025, the trade, transportation, and utilities sector led job gains, adding 5,800 positions, followed closely by education and health services, which added 5,600 jobs.
For Floridians seeking employment opportunities and career advancement, FloridaCommerce highlighted several valuable resources:
- Employ Florida: The state’s Labor Exchange Marketplace connecting job seekers with employment, training, and education.
- CareerSource Florida: A network of local career centers offering personalized career counseling, skills assessments, resume assistance, and job placement support.
- Apprentice Florida: A collaborative initiative to expand apprenticeship programs across the state.
- Veterans Florida: An organization dedicated to assisting military veterans in their transition to civilian careers.
- Military Family Employment Advocacy Program: Providing priority workforce services to active-duty military spouses and family members.
- Military Spousal License Reciprocity Matrix: A resource to streamline the transfer, renewal, or reissuance of professional licenses for military spouses relocating to Florida.
- FloridaCommerce Talent Pipeline Portal for Aerospace and Defense: A platform connecting job seekers and employers in the aerospace and defense industry.
Data from March indicates a robust job market in Florida, with over 411,000 jobs posted online. FloridaCommerce encourages individuals seeking employment to utilize the resources available through the CareerSource Florida network, including guidance on registering with Employ Florida and accessing local job listings. Job seekers can also benefit from free services aimed at improving employability, such as resume writing assistance, interview skills development, career goal setting, and customized career training.
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