Florida's jobless rate hits 5-year high

TALLAHASSEE — The statewide jobless rate hit 5.5 percent in May, the highest in more than five years, Florida’s Agency for Workforce Innovation reported Friday.

Florida’s economy continued to bleed jobs, losing 74,700 in the 12 months ended in May.

Unemployment surged in South Florida as well.

The rate for Palm Beach County hit 5.4 percent, up from 4.8 percent in April and 3.7 percent in May 2007. County rates are not seasonally adjusted, making year-over-year comparisons generally more valid than month-to-month.

In Broward, the jobless rate hit 4.8 percent, compared with 4.2 percent in April and 3.2 percent a year earlier.

Miami-Dade was flat month-over-month at 4.7 percent, but up from the 3.4 percent a year ago.

The Florida rate for May was up from the 5.0 percent reported for April and 3.9 percent reported a year earlier. Florida’s rate, which is adjusted for season factos, equaled the national rate.

Construction continued to be the hardest hit industry, losing 77,200 through the 12 months ended in May — more than half of the state's total losses. Manufacturing lost 23,900 jobs; professional and business services lost 18,100; transportation and utilities lost 12,500; financial services lost 6,100 jobs.

On the plus side, education and health services gained 35,200; leisure and hospitality added 16,400 jobs; government added 15,600 jobs, mostly on the local level.