Highest Paying Jobs in Florida 2026: Top Salaries, Projections & Career Paths
Florida's job market is booming with 2.2-2.6% GDP growth projected for 2026, low unemployment at 3.9-4.1%, and surging demand in healthcare, tourism, logistics, and tech. If you're a job seeker, career changer, or student eyeing high salaries, this guide uncovers the top-paying roles based on 2025-2026 BLS data and projections from Nexford, Indeed, and Coursera. We'll spotlight the single best-paying job, rank the top 10, break down city differences, and share paths--even without a degree--for Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and beyond.
Quick Answer: The Best Paying Job in Florida 2026
Cardiologists top the list at $451,200 annually (Nexford/BLS data), outpacing all others due to Florida's aging population (21.7% over 65) and physician shortages projected at 18,000 by 2035 (Florida Medical Association). Runners-up include anesthesiologists ($412,300 + $78,600 additional pay) and surgeons (up to $384,166 avg per Indeed).
| Rank | Job | Avg Annual Salary | Additional Pay/Bonuses | Projected Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiologist | $451,200 | Varies (bonuses common) | 9% (healthcare) |
| 2 | Anesthesiologist | $412,300 | $78,600 | 9% |
| 3 | Surgeon | $384,166 | Up to $100K+ | 9% |
These figures blend BLS OES data with Nexford projections, noting variances (e.g., Coursera lists surgeons at $565K median total pay in some settings).
Key Takeaways
- Top Job: Cardiologist ($451K+), dominating due to healthcare's 9% growth (BLS).
- Fastest-Growing High-Pay Sector: Healthcare, fueled by retiree influx and shortages.
- No-Degree Options: Real estate agents ($100K-$200K via commissions), blue-collar trades (Resume Genius top 10), and entry-level pilots.
- Remote Potential: Healthcare data roles and IT management for FL residents (Jobright Q4 2025 data).
- Outlook: Wage growth at 3.8-4.2%, 148K engineering openings despite 4% growth (Nexford/BLS).
Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Florida 2026 (With BLS Projections & Salaries)
Healthcare leads, but management and tech follow. Data reconciles Nexford (e.g., CRNA $214K), Indeed ($384K surgeons), and Coursera variances--Nexford emphasizes total comp, Indeed base pay.
| Job | Avg Salary | Additional Pay | Growth % | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Cardiologist | $451,200 | Bonuses | 9% | Physician offices/hospitals |
| 2. Anesthesiologist | $412,300 | $78,600 | 9% | Surgical settings |
| 3. Surgeon | $384,166 | Varies | 9% | Top per Indeed |
| 4. Orthodontist | $280,470+ | - | Steady | Miami Beach high |
| 5. CRNA | $214,500 | $24,400 bonus | 9% | Miami hospitals |
| 6. Engineering Manager | $182,400 | $40,600 | 4% | Space Coast/Tampa petroleum |
| 7. Airline Pilot | $150K-$245K | - | Steady | FL airports/Palm Beach |
| 8. Chief Executive | $245,469 | $144K+ potential | Limited | FL cities |
| 9. IT Manager | $182K+ | Bonuses | 4% | South FL |
| 10. Financial Manager | $159K+ | - | Steady | Orlando 2026 |
1-3. Healthcare Dominance: Surgeons, Anesthesiologists & Cardiologists
These roles average $384K-$451K, with 9% growth amid shortages. Example: Miami CRNAs get $24K hospital bonuses (Nexford).
4-7. Specialized Pros: Orthodontists, CRNAs, Pilots & CEOs
Orthodontists hit $280K+; CRNAs $214K+ in Miami. Airline pilots at FL hubs like Palm Beach earn $150K-$245K (Simple Flying, adapting global $44K-$160K private jet data). CEOs in FL cities top $245K + $144K add-ons.
8-10. Managers & Tech: IT/Engineering/Financial Managers
IT managers in South FL: $182K+; engineering on Space Coast/Tampa petroleum: $182K+$40K; financial in Orlando: $159K (Coursera).
City-by-City Salary Breakdown: Miami vs Tampa vs Orlando vs Jacksonville
Salaries vary by cost of living and demand--Miami highs, Orlando averages.
| City | Top Job Example | Salary Range | Notes (Source) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | Nurse Anesthetist | $214K+ | $24K bonus; dentists Miami Beach high (ReadySetHire/Miami Herald) |
| Tampa | OT | $67K-$170K; Petroleum Eng | $182K+; Marketing Mgr high (ReadySetHire) |
| Orlando | Financial Mgr; Vets | $159K; $130K+ | 2026 projections (Coursera) |
| Jacksonville | Lawyers | $112K-$233K | Patent attorneys top (ReadySetHire/Jax Bar) |
Miami offers 10-20% premiums over Orlando averages due to luxury markets.
Highest Paying Healthcare Jobs in Florida (Projections 2026)
Healthcare rules with 9% growth. Beyond top 3:
| Job | Avg Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistants | $133K-$158K | Critical care/surgery (AAPA/Medscape) |
| Dentists | $200K+ | Miami Beach |
| Pharmacists (Publix) | $130K+ | Steady |
| PT/OT (Miami/Tampa) | $95K-$116K; OT up to $170K Tampa | ReadySetHire |
| Podiatrists/Vets/Optometrists | $130K-$200K | Orlando vets; South FL optometrists $90K-$200K |
| Radiation/Speech Therapists | $95K-$98K+ | SLP progression $74K entry to $98K (ASHA) |
Physician shortage hits 18K by 2035 (FMA); Medscape/AAPA align with BLS.
Top Paying Non-Medical & Management Careers
- Lawyers: Jacksonville $112K-$233K; patent highest (Jax Bar).
- Sales/Marketing Managers: Real estate commissions 5.53% avg (FastExpert); $100K-$200K potential (Miami 4.5% negotiated, Gold Coast). Tampa Bay marketing high.
- Actuaries/Judges: Insurance actuaries $150K+; judges median $140K+ (BLS projections).
Mini case: Top real estate agents earn variability--$0 if no close, but 58% full-time hit $100K-$200K (Gold Coast).
High-Paying Jobs Without a Degree vs Degree-Required (Comparison)
| Category | Top Examples | Salary | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Degree (Top 10 Blue-Collar, Resume Genius) | Real Estate Agent, Pilots (<250 hrs entry), Trades | $100K-$200K commissions; $60K-$120K pilots | Quick entry, unlimited upside, 25% growth retail | Variable income, no security |
| Degree-Required | Surgeons, Engineering Mgrs | $384K-$451K | Stability, 9% growth | 10+ years education, high stress |
FL economy grows 2.2-2.6%; no-degree offers security per 73% parents surveyed (CareerSource NE FL).
Highest Paying Entry-Level & Remote Jobs for Florida 2026
Entry-Level: Pilots (<250 hrs, $60K start rising to $150K+); PAs ($133K median); SLP $74K (ASHA).
Remote for FL Residents: Healthcare data (15% response boost w/ keywords like "Claims Processing"--Jobright Q4 2025). Filters: FL location, recent posts, >80% ATS keyword match. H1B tips: Target USCIS-approved firms. Demand high in healthcare/logistics (3.9% unemployment).
How to Land One of Florida's Highest Paying Jobs (Step-by-Step Guide)
- Match Skills to BLS OES: Use keywords (e.g., "CRNA Miami") for 80% ATS match.
- Target Growth Sectors: Healthcare (9%), engineering (4%, 148K openings).
- Network Locally: Miami hospitals, Tampa Space Coast events.
- Certifications/No-Degree Paths: Real estate license, pilot hours, trade programs.
- Optimize Resume: Impact metrics (e.g., "cut processing 23%"); Jobright tips.
Mini case: SLP from $74K entry to $98K+ in 20 years via specialization (ASHA).
Job Market Outlook: Florida Hiring Trends 2026
2.2-2.6% GDP growth, 3.8-4.2% wages, driven by tourism/healthcare (Yotru/BLS). Outperforms national avg; selective hiring in high-demand areas.
FAQ
What is the highest paying job in Florida without a college degree in 2026?
Real estate agents ($100K-$200K commissions) or entry pilots ($60K+ rising fast).
How much do surgeons make in Florida 2026?
$384K avg (Indeed), up to $565K total pay (Coursera).
What are the top paying remote jobs for Florida residents?
Healthcare data analysts, IT managers ($150K+); use "remote FL" filters (Jobright).
Airline pilots salary at Florida airports?
$150K-$245K; private jets Palm Beach $80K-$160K adapted (Simple Flying).
Nurse anesthetists pay in Miami vs other cities?
Miami $214K+$24K bonus > Tampa/Orlando by 10-15% (Nexford).
Highest paying entry-level jobs in Florida 2026?
Pilots ($60K start), PAs ($133K median), SLP ($74K).
