WEST PALM BEACH — Palm Beach County’s unemployment rate for July 2023 is 3.3 percent, slightly above the year-ago rate of 3.1 percent, according to the latest reports released on Aug. 18 by CareerSource Palm Beach County and the FloridaCommerce Department (all numbers not seasonally adjusted):

• The county’s rate remains below the 3.8 percent national rate, but above Florida’s 3.1 percent rate. The county’s rate has remained below the nation’s for three years.

• For two years, there have been more job openings than unemployed people in Palm Beach County. However, the latest report on the number of advertised job openings shows a -20.8 percent decline over the year.

• Total nonagricultural employment in the county is 674,200, adding 12,700 jobs over the year – a 1.9 percent gain.

• The average annual wage for Palm Beach County for 2022 is $71,850, well above Florida’s $63,0811, and 5.1 percent above 2021 at $68,339, according to a report by the FloridaCommerce dept. earlier this month.

“Our overall job market remains strong although the number of job openings has been cooling slightly,” said Julia Dattolo, President and CEO of CareerSource Palm Beach County, the nonprofit organization chartered by the state to lead workforce development in Palm Beach County.

Job growth/loss by industry sector: The education/health services industry sector led the county in over-the-year job growth adding 5,900 jobs for a 5.6 percent jump. The number of jobs in the leisure/hospitality and government sectors grew faster in the county than statewide over the year.

By the numbers, over-the-year job gains and losses by sector are:

Trends Observed This Period

Positive:

• Continued strong job market
• U.S. inflation rate stays low at 3.2 percent

Negative:

• Housing affordability
• Rising insurance costs
• Rising oil and gas costs

Job Fairs Coming Up Soon

• Aug. 24: Glades Job Fair, 2 – 4 p.m., E.L. Rhodes Gymnasium, 360 E. Main Street, Pahokee

• Aug. 30: Tech Talent Fest Career Expo, 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Building #103, Boca Raton

• Aug. 31: RoadSafe Hiring Event, 10 a.m. – noon, CareerSource Central Career Center, 3400 Belvedere Rd., West Palm Beach

More information is at www.careersourcepbc.com.

Looking for a New Career? Looking to Hire? Here’s Help!

CareerSource offers job fairs, classes, and facilities for job searches, grants for job skills training for those who qualify, career development and consulting. During the past five program years, CareerSource Palm Beach County assisted nearly 33,000 residents find employment/reemployment ranging from entry-level to executive suite. CareerSource also awarded $11.9 million in grants to area businesses and employees for job training and educational assistance during that time. More information is at www.careersourcepbc.com.

CareerSource also provides services to help businesses prosper in today’s challenging marketplace including recruitment, assessments, and referrals of qualified job candidates; space and staff assistance for screening/interviewing candidates; and grants for training employees.

Next employment reports Sept. 15: State and local employment reports for August 2023 are scheduled for release on Sept. 15, 2023.