Florida ranked 47th out of 50 states in the annual ranking of the best and worst states for finding a job, published on Wednesday by the financial platform WalletHub, with a total score of 46.83 out of 100.
The most alarming data from the report is that Florida ranked last nationally—50th—in job growth, making it the state with the worst record in the annual job growth rate, adjusted for the increase in the working-age population.
The study, according to a report by Telemundo 51, analyzed the 50 states using 34 indicators of labor market strength and economic health, divided into two main categories: labor market, weighing 60%, and economic environment, making up the remaining 40%.
In the general labor market, Florida ranked 49th. Negative results accumulated in several specific indicators: last place in access to employer-sponsored retirement plans, last place in the availability of internships, 49th place in discouraged workers, 44th place in average commute time to work, and 42nd place in workplace safety and protections.
The only category where the state demonstrated relatively strong performance was in the economic environment, where it ranked 14th, which partially cushioned its overall ranking.
The financial analyst from WalletHub, Chip Lupo, emphasized that "the best states for working make it easier for residents to find and keep jobs, and employers in these states also offer very competitive compensation and benefits. Additionally, the top-rated states are excellent places to raise a family, as they rank among the best states for working parents."
The numbers from the state labor market support the findings of the study. Between August 2025 and August 2026, Florida added just about 59,000 jobs, an annual growth of only 0.6%.
The unemployment rate stood at 4.4% in September, above the national average of 4.2%, with approximately 489,000 unemployed out of a labor force of 11.1 million.
The hardest hit sectors were those with higher salaries: the financial activities lost 15,800 jobs in twelve months, government employment fell by 8,900 positions, and the information sector cut 3,600 jobs. Both industries—finance and information—record average salaries close to 130,000 dollars per year.
This decline is partly a correction following the post-pandemic boom, when Florida attracted hundreds of thousands of new residents and businesses that relocated operations from states like New York and California.
That accelerated hiring has become the norm, and the slowdown of migration to the southern part of the state reduced some of the demand that had energized the market.
The unemployment in Florida has decreased for four consecutive months. In the Miami metropolitan area, the rate stands at 3.2%, the lowest in the state.
The states that ranked highest in the study were Nebraska (64.24 points), North Dakota (62.92), and Minnesota (62.50), noted for their low unemployment rate, high median household incomes, and greater access to labor benefits.
At the opposite end, Florida shares the bottom spots with Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Oregon, and West Virginia.
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