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May Unemployment at 4.7 Percent Puts Florida At National Average

FRED - Federal Reserve Economic Data
Credit FRED - Federal Reserve Economic Data

Florida’s unemployment rate inched down slightly in May, boosted by growth in the private sector. Areas with the most growth continue to be Florida’s large metro areas, like Orlando, Tampa, Miami and Jacksonville. State jobs czar Cissy Proctor says some sectors are still lagging.

“So the sector we’ve seen a drop in this month, which we’ve seen and consecutively over many months, is in the information sector," Proctor says. "And it’s not so much information technology, but other information jobs across the state.”

Those would be jobs for people like writers, public relations specialists and journalists.

The state unemployment mark now matches the federal rate, which dropped from 5 percent to 4.7 percent between April and May.

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Lynn Hatter is a Florida A&M University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Lynn has served as reporter/producer for WFSU since 2007 with education and health care issues as her key coverage areas. She is an award-winning member of the Capital Press Corps and has participated in the NPR Kaiser Health News Reporting Partnership and NPR Education Initiative. When she’s not working, Lynn spends her time watching sci-fi and action movies, writing her own books, going on long walks through the woods, traveling and exploring antique stores. Follow Lynn Hatter on Twitter: @HatterLynn.