State unemployment drops to 3.4 percent in May

Florida's unemployment rate dropped to 3.4 percent in May, down from 3.5 percent in April, according to state figures released Friday.

The state added 17,000 jobs last month, up less than one percent over the month.

Tampa Bay unemployment inched up to 3.1 percent in May from 2.9 percent in April. Hillsborough County's jobless rate rose to 3 percent in May from 2.8 percent in April; Pinellas County's rate was 2.9 percent in May, up from 2.8 percent in April; Pasco County's rate was 3.4 percent in May, up from 3.2 percent and Hernando County's rate was 4.1 percent, up from 3.9 percent in April.

Hernando had the fourth-highest unemployment rate of Florida counties in May following Hardee and Sumter counties at 4.6 percent, Hendry County at 4.5 percent and Highlands County at 4.3 percent.

The bay area added the third-highest number of jobs of any Florida metro over the year with 27,100 jobs, trailing Orlando (40,600 jobs) and Miami (28,300 jobs).

Nationally, unemployment was 3.6 percent in May.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Contact Malena Carollo at mcarollo@tampabay.com or (727) 892-2249. Follow @malenacarollo.