According to FloridaCommerce, the Pensacola metropolitan area recorded the fastest over-the-year job growth rate in professional and business services among all Florida metro areas in May 2025.
- Data: Pensacola added 1,700 private sector jobs over the year, representing solid 1% growth. Education and health services led the charge with 1,000 new positions, while the area’s unemployment rate stood at 3.8% in May 2025—up slightly from 3.3% the previous year but still indicating a healthy, competitive job market.
The state has outperformed national job growth rates in 48 of the last 50 months since April 2021, adding 134,500 private sector jobs over the year—a robust 1.5% increase. Florida’s statewide unemployment rate of 3.7% has remained below the national average for 55 consecutive months.
Diverse Economic Growth
The job growth patterns reveal Florida’s diversified economic base. Statewide, professional and business services led with 7,100 new positions, followed by trade, transportation and utilities (4,800 jobs), education and health services (4,600 jobs), and leisure and hospitality (4,100 jobs).
- For Pensacola, the concentration of growth in education and health services reflects the area’s role as a regional healthcare and educational hub—sectors that typically offer stable, well-paying positions contributing to community economic stability.
Why Does This Matter?
Pensacola’s job growth leadership signals several important developments:
- First, mid-sized markets can compete effectively for high-value professional services jobs, traditionally concentrated in major metropolitan areas. This diversification reduces economic vulnerability and creates career advancement opportunities for local residents.
- Second, the growth in education and health services addresses critical community needs while providing recession-resistant employment. These sectors serve local populations directly, creating jobs that can’t be outsourced and contribute to long-term community stability.
Finally, Pensacola’s success positions the area strategically for future growth. Professional services companies often serve as anchors that attract additional businesses, creating a multiplier effect that can drive sustained economic expansion.
Dig Deeper
To view the May 2025 jobs reports by region, please see below:
To view May 2025 employment data, click here.