Report
Panhandle Hiring Index, Q2 2026
Every quarter: how many people work in the Florida Panhandle, in hospitality and retail, and how unemployment compares with a year earlier and with Florida. From federal data, free to cite.
Q2 2026 at a glance
Average of April–June 2026, compared with the same quarter a year earlier. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Jobs in the three metro areas
- 432,100
- +0.3% vs Q2 2025
- Leisure and hospitality jobs
- 72,500
- +4.2% vs Q2 2025
- Retail jobs
- 56,000
- −0.5% vs Q2 2025
- Florida unemployment rate
- 4.8%
- +1.0 pts vs Q2 2025
By metro area
| Metro area | All jobs | Leisure and hospitality | Retail | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-DestinDestin, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Crestview, Miramar Beach, Santa Rosa Beach | 133,300 +0.4% | 26,600 +5.1% | 17,800 −1.7% | 4.3% +1.0 pts |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-BrentPensacola, Navarre | 204,000 +0.2% | 28,500 +2.0% | 24,800 +0.3% | 4.9% +1.0 pts |
| Panama City-Panama City BeachPanama City, Panama City Beach | 94,800 +0.6% | 17,400 +6.5% | 13,300 −0.5% | 4.6% +1.0 pts |
Changes compare Q2 2026 with Q2 2025. Unemployment changes are in percentage points.
What Alto HR pays today
Hourly pay on Alto HR’s open jobs in the Panhandle right now, by role. It updates as jobs open and close.
See all open jobs- Supervisor and lead$17–$25 an hour
- Cashier$15–$18 an hour
- Produce$15–$20 an hour
- Freezer and cooler$15–$21 an hour
- Bagger and cart$14–$17 an hour
- Picker and online orders$15–$19 an hour
- Grocery$15–$20 an hour
- Stocking and merchandise$15–$20 an hour
- Customer service$15–$19 an hour
- Janitorial$14–$17 an hour
- Pharmacy technician$16–$22 an hour
- Sporting goods$15–$20 an hour
How to cite
Alto HR, Panhandle Hiring Index, Q2 2026, from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. www.altohr.com/resources/hiring-index
Journalists, chambers of commerce and economic development groups are welcome to use and republish these figures with a link to this page.
Method and sources
- Jobs: Current Employment Statistics, all nonfarm, leisure and hospitality, and retail trade employees, not seasonally adjusted, by metropolitan statistical area.
- Unemployment: Local Area Unemployment Statistics, by metro area and for Florida.
- Each figure is the average of April–June 2026. Data published through August 2026.
- Updated each quarter when federal data for the quarter is complete; the newest monthly figures refresh weekly.
- BLS State and Metro Area Employment · BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics