- April 23, 2026
New unemployment claims fell slightly in Florida last week but continue to come in at a steady pace indicating little change in hiring or layoffs.
The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday estimated 5,483 claims were filed in Florida last week, down from a revised count of 6,387 for the week ending April 11.
Over the past four weeks, the state has averaged 5,641 claims a week. A week ago, the running four-week average was 5,620 a week.
Since the start of the year, the weekly average is now 5,767.
Last Friday, Florida’s jobless rate increased to 4.6 percent. The number reflects mid-February conditions, estimating 516,000 out of work from a workforce of 11.14 million.
March figures will be released May 1.
The rate has been steadily rising since last July, when the state's unemployment mark was 3.7 percent
