The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced last week that the number of online job openings in Florida were up in January 2015 with a total of 279,244 openings (seasonally adjusted), according to data released by The Conference Board’s Help Wanted Online. Also in January, Florida’s consumer sentiment index was 93.3, up from the revised December 2014 index of 87.6.
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Jesse Panuccio said, “After four years of economic growth, we now see job demand and consumer sentiment at levels that reflect confidence in Florida’s economic future. The Scott Administration will continue to support the low-tax, pro-growth policies that have supported this turnaround and created opportunities for Florida families.”
January’s online job ads in Florida continued to rise. Job demand in Florida increased over the month by 9,854 openings (+3.7 percent) and also increased over the year by 13,536 openings (+5.1 percent). The average annual wage of the top 20 occupations in demand in January was $52,881. Major occupational groups with the most online ads in January were healthcare practitioners and technical occupations, sales and related occupations, office and administrative support occupations, and management occupations. Online job demand was highest in the large metro cities, led by Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and Ft. Lauderdale.
January’s consumer sentiment is up to 93.3. The Florida Consumer Sentiment Index is calculated by the Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Florida and measures five key indicators of consumers’ sentiment about the economy. Indicators include one’s personal financial situation compared to a year ago, personal financial situation expected one year from now, expected national economic conditions over the next year, expected national economic conditions over the next five year, and whether it is a good time to buy major household items.