The Broward County unemployment rate for the month of December was 5.0%, down by 0.3% points from the previous month. The region’s jobless rate was 1.6% points lower than the year-ago rate of 6.8%. Broward County's unemployment rate was 0.9% points lower than the state rate (5.9%) and 1.5% points lower than the national unemployment rate (6.5%). The total labor force in Broward County is 1,027,867, of which 50,929 are unemployed residents. Broward County ranked third among all metro areas for total nonagricultural job growth in November. Broward County led all metro areas in the state for over-the-year growth in government (+2,600 jobs); other services (+1,100 jobs); and information (+500 jobs).

As required on a yearly basis under state law, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has calculated what the state's minimum wage will be as of January 1st, 2014. The new minimum wage will be $7.93/hour, an increase of 14 cents/hour over the current rate. Please click here for the announcement, posters for employers in English and Spanish to use at their worksites, and other details.