10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Florida

Beth Walton
By
Updated on August 21, 2024
Edited by
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Looking for work in the Sunshine State? Check out our list of the top-paying jobs in Florida in 2024.

Florida is a top destination for retirees looking for sunshine and young families wanting to relocate for better weather and a lower cost of living. Many of the top-paying jobs in Florida are in the medical field, a sector struggling to keep up as Florida’s population rapidly grows and ages.

The Florida Medical Association (FMA) projects a shortage of nearly 18,000 physicians by 2035, meaning many of the state’s highest-paying jobs will also be in high demand.

However, doctors are not the only ones earning top salaries in the Sunshine State. Orthodontists, pilots, CEOs, and IT professionals are also well paid.

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What Are the Highest-Paying Jobs in Florida?

Many of Florida’s top positions pay over $300,000 a year, a staggering amount in a state where the average worker earns $60,200. Using the Bureau of Labor Statistics’s (BLS) most recent state employment and wage estimates, here’s our top 10 list of some of the highest-paying jobs in Florida.

1. Cardiologists

  • Average Annual Salary in Florida (May 2023): $494,690
  • Projected Job Growth 2022-2032: 4%

Topping the list are cardiologists — doctors who specialize in treating the heart and blood vessels. The FMA projects a shortage of 632 cardiologists in Florida by 2035. If you’re looking for a highly paid and in-demand medical specialty in the Sunshine State, look no further.

2. Ophthalmologists

  • Average Annual Salary in Florida (May 2023): $376,330
  • Projected Job Growth 2022-2032: 4%

Next up are ophthalmologists, medical doctors who address eye and vision problems. Florida offers some of the best medical schools for aspiring eye care specialists. The Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami is consistently ranked as a top residency program.

3. Radiologists

  • Average Annual Salary in Florida (May 2023): $331,040
  • Projected Job Growth 2022-2032: 4%

Radiologists came in third on our list of the highest-paying jobs in Florida. These doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating injuries and diseases with medical imaging, like X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds. The Florida Radiological Society is an active group of professionals committed to networking and improving the field.

4. Orthodontists

  • Average Annual Salary in Florida (May 2023): $323,030
  • Projected Job Growth 2022-2032: 4%

Orthodontists, dentists trained to diagnose, prevent, and treat irregularities of the teeth and jaw, fall comfortably in the top half of our list of some of the highest-paying jobs in Florida. As more millennial families move to Florida, the demand for specialty services that cater to young people, like orthodontics, is likely to grow.

5. Neurologists

  • Average Annual Salary in Florida (May 2023): $290,550
  • Projected Job Growth 2022-2032: 3%

Neurologists are the fifth highest-paid professionals in Florida. These medical doctors specialize in the nervous system, diagnosing and treating the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Neurological disorders tend to increase with age, making Florida a noteworthy place to practice. Florida has a higher percentage of residents 65 and older than any other state.

6. Anesthesiologists

  • Average Annual Salary in Florida (May 2023): $284,750
  • Projected Job Growth 2022-2032: 3%

Adding to a growing list of professions that showcase the financial return of a medical degree are anesthesiologists. These doctors monitor and supervise patients before, during, and after surgery, delivering anesthesia to reduce or block pain. The FMA projects a shortage of 650 anesthesiologists by 2035, showcasing the need for specialists in this growing field.

7. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

  • Average Annual Salary in Florida (May 2023): $283,740
  • Projected Job Growth 2022-2032: 4%

Flying Magazine named Florida, a geographic hub, one of the top five states for pilots in 2022. Home to the highly regarded Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida’s aviation and aerospace industry employed nearly 126,000 people last year.

Pilots fly planes, navigate routes, and transport passengers and cargo. Flight engineers monitor and maintain aircraft systems.

8. Family Medicine Physicians

  • Average Annual Salary in Florida (May 2023): $253,560
  • Projected Job Growth 2022-2032: 4%

Family practice physicians are primary care doctors who provide comprehensive health care to people of all ages. These professionals are in high demand in the Sunshine State as more and more families relocate. The FMA projects a shortage of nearly 6,000 primary care specialists by 2035, including physicians who specialize in family medicine.

9. Chief Executives

  • Average Annual Salary in Florida (May 2023): $248,690
  • Projected Job Growth 2022-2032: -8%

Chief executives came in number nine on our list of some of the highest-paying jobs in Florida. CEOs are the highest-ranking executives in an organization.

They manage operations, set goals, and oversee budgets and institutional communication. Florida’s governor touted the state’s pro-business policies in 2023, claiming to have some of the largest numbers of small business owners in the nation.

10. Computer and Information Systems Managers

  • Average Annual Salary in Florida (May 2023): $164,440
  • Projected Job Growth 2022-2032: 15%

Rounding out our top 10 list of the highest-paying jobs in Florida are computer and information system managers. These IT leaders direct computer-related activities at organizations They implement a wide array of services such as network security, email management, and information reporting.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jobs in Florida

A salary in the range of $55,000-$75,000 a year can provide a comfortable life in Florida. On average, Florida workers earn $28.95 an hour or about $60,200 a year, according to the BLS. MIT calculates Florida’s “living wage” — the amount an individual must earn to afford basic necessities — at $22.43 an hour. That’s $46,700 a year.

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