Positive Trends in Palm Beach County: Unemployment Matches State Average as Key Sectors Thrive

In February 2025, Palm Beach County saw its unemployment rate rise to 3.7%, marking a 0.6 percentage point increase from the previous year's rate of 3.1%. Interestingly, this rate aligns with the state average of 3.7% for the same period. This uptick highlights a notable shift in the local job market over the past year.

• Nonagricultural employment in Palm Beach County remained steady at 706,000 in February 2025, with no change over the year.
• The Education and Health Services industry experienced significant growth, with a 4.3% increase and 5,100 new jobs, making it the second fastest-growing industry in the area compared to all other metro areas in the state.
• The Government sector also saw notable growth, with a 2.5% increase and 1,600 new jobs over the year.

• In January 2025, nonagricultural employment in Palm Beach County was 702,800, an increase of 2,000 jobs (+0.3 percent) over    the year.
• The Education and Health Services (+4.7 percent) and Manufacturing (+0.9 percent) industries grew faster in the metro area than statewide over the year.
• The West Palm Beach-Boca Raton-Delray Beach MD had the second fastest annual job growth rate compared to all the metro areas in the state in the Education and Health Services (+4.7 percent) industry.
• The industries gaining jobs over the year were Education and Health Services (+5,500 jobs); Government (+1,200 jobs); Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+900 jobs); Construction(+200 jobs); Manufacturing (+200 jobs); and Financial Activities (+100 jobs).
• The industries losing jobs over the year were Professional and Business Services (-3,000 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (-2,300 jobs); Information (-400 jobs); and Other Services (-400 jobs).

These points highlight the stability in overall employment and the strong performance of specific industries in the region.

Job growth/loss by industry sector: In the past year, Palm Beach County experienced significant job gains in education and health services and government. However, sectors like professional and business services and leisure and hospitality experienced declines.

From Crisis to Comeback: Palm Beach County’s Unemployment Steadily Improves Since 2020

What a difference five years makes. In 2020, Palm Beach County’s unemployment rate skyrocketed to 14.7%, a grim reflection of the economic havoc wreaked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Fast forward to today, and that number has plummeted to 3.7%, showcasing a remarkable rebound fueled by strategic recovery efforts, workforce innovation, and economic diversification.

How Palm Beach County Turned the Tide

When businesses shuttered in 2020, CareerSource Palm Beach County stepped up, pivoting quickly to provide virtual career services, employer connections, and training programs. At the height of the crisis, they:

• Launched Virtual Job Fairs: Connecting thousands of displaced workers to hiring employers.
• Emergency Assistance Programs: Provided information and access to emergency assistance programs.
• Partnered with Local Businesses: Streamlining hiring processes to match talent with opportunity.

These efforts weren’t just a band-aid—they laid the foundation for long-term job growth.

Where We Are Now: Thriving, Not Just Surviving

Today, Palm Beach County's economy is stronger than ever, with notable job gains in key sectors: 

Education & Health Services: +5,100 jobs
Government: +1,600 jobs

The secret to success? A focus on diversifying industries, supporting small businesses, and investing in workforce development—all of which have fueled steady employment growth and economic resilience.

 The Road Ahead

From the darkest days of mass layoffs to a thriving job market, Palm Beach County’s economic evolution is a testament to the power of strategic planning and community-driven action. As unemployment stabilizes at pre-pandemic lows, the county remains committed to innovation, opportunity, and long-term prosperity.

The message is clear: Palm Beach County has recovered, and it’s thriving

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Note to editors: You are invited to interview a CareerSource spokesperson on local employment and economic trends. Please call 561.340.1060 ext. 2489 for scheduling before 3 p.m. today.

Note: The unemployment rate is a measure of how many people in the labor force are out of a job. For example, if total employment holds constant and unemployed Americans stop looking for work, thereby leaving the labor force, the unemployment rate will fall even though no jobs have been added. Conversely, if employment holds steady and recent graduates enter the labor force looking for work, the unemployment rate will rise even though no jobs have disappeared.

IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE STEVENS AMENDMENT:

CareerSource Palm Beach County, Inc. is the direct service provider for various workforce programs supported by the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and other agencies as part of awards totaling $15,851,406 (revised annually). Unless otherwise stipulated, all statements, news releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations and other applicable documents are fully funded fr