Jobs that actually got a raise in Florida

Consumer prices rose about 26% between May 2019 and May 2025, so a wage that grew less than that lost ground while appearing to rise. The column on the right is the inflation-adjusted change; the nominal figure beneath it is what a paycheck comparison would have shown. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people, so the ranking is not dominated by tiny, noisy ones.

Cost of living: prices in Florida run 3.4% above the national average (2024), so a Florida salary is worth about 0.97× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in Florida.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in Florida

OccupationMedian, Florida · Real change since 2019

1Gambling Dealers$38,500
High school diploma or equivalent
$27,040 – $98,280+58.9%+100.1% nominal
2Waiters and Waitresses$36,150
No formal educational credential
$27,230 – $63,580+44.4%+81.8% nominal
3Bartenders$35,150
No formal educational credential
$27,430 – $66,400+40.6%+77.1% nominal
4Real Estate Brokers$66,010
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,320 – $162,500+38.5%+74.4% nominal
5Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$33,280
No formal educational credential
$27,590 – $45,460+31.0%+65.0% nominal
6Photographers$42,640
High school diploma or equivalent
$29,990 – $80,400+31.0%+65.0% nominal
7Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$33,930
No formal educational credential
$29,210 – $39,000+28.4%+61.7% nominal
8Driver/Sales Workers$36,260
High school diploma or equivalent
$27,040 – $57,080+27.5%+60.5% nominal
9Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$86,870
High school diploma or equivalent
$50,690 – $109,300+26.2%+58.9% nominal
10Manicurists and Pedicurists$37,840
Postsecondary nondegree award
$28,730 – $59,940+25.2%+57.6% nominal
11Transportation Security Screeners$63,130
High school diploma or equivalent
$42,910 – $71,570+24.6%+56.9% nominal
12Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$107,700
Bachelor's degree
$47,590 – $201,150+22.5%+54.2% nominal
13Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$61,740
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,510 – $80,620+22.1%+53.7% nominal
14Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians$77,140
Associate's degree
$37,490 – $106,800+21.2%+52.6% nominal
15Telemarketers$35,570
No formal educational credential
$27,040 – $41,910+20.5%+51.7% nominal
16Childcare Workers$34,210
High school diploma or equivalent
$27,960 – $44,730+20.2%+51.3% nominal
17Psychiatric Technicians$43,570
Postsecondary nondegree award
$35,280 – $57,290+19.3%+50.3% nominal
18Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$48,300
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,070 – $71,380+19.3%+50.3% nominal
19Food Preparation Workers$35,920
No formal educational credential
$28,190 – $43,300+19.2%+50.1% nominal
20Editors$73,950
Bachelor's degree
$43,230 – $121,380+19.2%+50.1% nominal
21Commercial Pilots$121,890
Postsecondary nondegree award
$62,590 – $229,110+18.0%+48.6% nominal
22Computer Occupations, All Other$105,370
Bachelor's degree
$52,960 – $173,260+17.4%+47.9% nominal
23Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$33,860
No formal educational credential
$28,840 – $44,870+16.9%+47.2% nominal
24Production Workers, All Other$37,690
High school diploma or equivalent
$28,620 – $59,290+16.6%+46.8% nominal
25Helpers--Production Workers$37,950
High school diploma or equivalent
$30,970 – $49,270+16.0%+46.1% nominal
26Child, Family, and School Social Workers$56,550
Bachelor's degree
$39,760 – $79,580+15.8%+45.8% nominal
27Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other$34,200
No formal educational credential
$27,040 – $45,750+15.8%+45.8% nominal
28Baggage Porters and Bellhops$30,890
High school diploma or equivalent
$27,040 – $44,220+15.8%+45.8% nominal
29Natural Sciences Managers$112,220
Bachelor's degree
$62,660 – $216,330+15.7%+45.6% nominal
30Veterinarians$131,660
Doctoral or professional degree
$62,430 – $209,520+15.4%+45.3% nominal
31Fast Food and Counter Workers$29,080
No formal educational credential
$27,570 – $36,430+15.3%+45.2% nominal
32Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$35,040
No formal educational credential
$28,510 – $45,000+15.3%+45.2% nominal
33Cooks, Fast Food$29,900
No formal educational credential
$27,460 – $41,400+15.1%+44.9% nominal
34Home Health and Personal Care Aides$33,800
High school diploma or equivalent
$30,660 – $38,310+15.0%+44.9% nominal
35Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$46,380
Associate's degree
$36,600 – $57,870+14.9%+44.7% nominal
36Sales and Related Workers, All Other$40,180
High school diploma or equivalent
$29,720 – $89,990+14.9%+44.7% nominal
37Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$34,490
No formal educational credential
$28,800 – $42,930+14.8%+44.6% nominal
38Retail Salespersons$34,010
No formal educational credential
$28,330 – $46,130+14.0%+43.5% nominal
39Human Resources Managers$137,790
Bachelor's degree
$79,420 – $232,760+13.7%+43.2% nominal
40Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$35,030
High school diploma or equivalent
$30,080 – $44,620+13.6%+43.1% nominal
41Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers$60,070
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,570 – $75,770+13.5%+42.9% nominal
42Order Clerks$44,380
Some college, no degree
$35,160 – $62,380+13.5%+42.9% nominal
43Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$32,340
No formal educational credential
$29,150 – $38,010+13.5%+43.0% nominal
44Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$56,790
Master's degree
$39,430 – $84,410+13.4%+42.8% nominal
45Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$35,860
Associate's degree
$29,550 – $46,980+13.4%+42.8% nominal
46Food Service Managers$72,790
High school diploma or equivalent
$45,800 – $113,940+13.2%+42.6% nominal
47Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$34,430
Some college, no degree
$28,490 – $40,150+12.6%+41.7% nominal
48Counter and Rental Clerks$37,870
No formal educational credential
$28,770 – $60,810+12.5%+41.7% nominal
49Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$50,440
Bachelor's degree
$35,650 – $75,700+12.5%+41.6% nominal
50Animal Caretakers$34,150
High school diploma or equivalent
$28,950 – $50,140+12.4%+41.6% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianFlorida	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Real change since 2019
1	Gambling DealersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38,500	$27,040 – $98,280	+58.9%+100.1% nominal
2	Waiters and WaitressesNo formal educational credential	$36,150	$27,230 – $63,580	+44.4%+81.8% nominal
3	BartendersNo formal educational credential	$35,150	$27,430 – $66,400	+40.6%+77.1% nominal
4	Real Estate BrokersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$66,010	$38,320 – $162,500	+38.5%+74.4% nominal
5	Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender HelpersNo formal educational credential	$33,280	$27,590 – $45,460	+31.0%+65.0% nominal
6	PhotographersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$42,640	$29,990 – $80,400	+31.0%+65.0% nominal
7	Food Servers, NonrestaurantNo formal educational credential	$33,930	$29,210 – $39,000	+28.4%+61.7% nominal
8	Driver/Sales WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36,260	$27,040 – $57,080	+27.5%+60.5% nominal
9	Electrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$86,870	$50,690 – $109,300	+26.2%+58.9% nominal
10	Manicurists and PedicuristsPostsecondary nondegree award	$37,840	$28,730 – $59,940	+25.2%+57.6% nominal
11	Transportation Security ScreenersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$63,130	$42,910 – $71,570	+24.6%+56.9% nominal
12	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific ProductsBachelor's degree	$107,700	$47,590 – $201,150	+22.5%+54.2% nominal
13	Telecommunications Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$61,740	$37,510 – $80,620	+22.1%+53.7% nominal
14	Cardiovascular Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$77,140	$37,490 – $106,800	+21.2%+52.6% nominal
15	TelemarketersNo formal educational credential	$35,570	$27,040 – $41,910	+20.5%+51.7% nominal
16	Childcare WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34,210	$27,960 – $44,730	+20.2%+51.3% nominal
17	Psychiatric TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$43,570	$35,280 – $57,290	+19.3%+50.3% nominal
18	Bus Drivers, Transit and IntercityHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48,300	$37,070 – $71,380	+19.3%+50.3% nominal
19	Food Preparation WorkersNo formal educational credential	$35,920	$28,190 – $43,300	+19.2%+50.1% nominal
20	EditorsBachelor's degree	$73,950	$43,230 – $121,380	+19.2%+50.1% nominal
21	Commercial PilotsPostsecondary nondegree award	$121,890	$62,590 – $229,110	+18.0%+48.6% nominal
22	Computer Occupations, All OtherBachelor's degree	$105,370	$52,960 – $173,260	+17.4%+47.9% nominal
23	Maids and Housekeeping CleanersNo formal educational credential	$33,860	$28,840 – $44,870	+16.9%+47.2% nominal
24	Production Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37,690	$28,620 – $59,290	+16.6%+46.8% nominal
25	Helpers--Production WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37,950	$30,970 – $49,270	+16.0%+46.1% nominal
26	Child, Family, and School Social WorkersBachelor's degree	$56,550	$39,760 – $79,580	+15.8%+45.8% nominal
27	Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All OtherNo formal educational credential	$34,200	$27,040 – $45,750	+15.8%+45.8% nominal
28	Baggage Porters and BellhopsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30,890	$27,040 – $44,220	+15.8%+45.8% nominal
29	Natural Sciences ManagersBachelor's degree	$112,220	$62,660 – $216,330	+15.7%+45.6% nominal
30	VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree	$131,660	$62,430 – $209,520	+15.4%+45.3% nominal
31	Fast Food and Counter WorkersNo formal educational credential	$29,080	$27,570 – $36,430	+15.3%+45.2% nominal
32	Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service WorkersNo formal educational credential	$35,040	$28,510 – $45,000	+15.3%+45.2% nominal
33	Cooks, Fast FoodNo formal educational credential	$29,900	$27,460 – $41,400	+15.1%+44.9% nominal
34	Home Health and Personal Care AidesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$33,800	$30,660 – $38,310	+15.0%+44.9% nominal
35	Veterinary Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$46,380	$36,600 – $57,870	+14.9%+44.7% nominal
36	Sales and Related Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$40,180	$29,720 – $89,990	+14.9%+44.7% nominal
37	Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping CleanersNo formal educational credential	$34,490	$28,800 – $42,930	+14.8%+44.6% nominal
38	Retail SalespersonsNo formal educational credential	$34,010	$28,330 – $46,130	+14.0%+43.5% nominal
39	Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree	$137,790	$79,420 – $232,760	+13.7%+43.2% nominal
40	Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35,030	$30,080 – $44,620	+13.6%+43.1% nominal
41	Security and Fire Alarm Systems InstallersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$60,070	$38,570 – $75,770	+13.5%+42.9% nominal
42	Order ClerksSome college, no degree	$44,380	$35,160 – $62,380	+13.5%+42.9% nominal
43	Laundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersNo formal educational credential	$32,340	$29,150 – $38,010	+13.5%+43.0% nominal
44	Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health CounselorsMaster's degree	$56,790	$39,430 – $84,410	+13.4%+42.8% nominal
45	Preschool Teachers, Except Special EducationAssociate's degree	$35,860	$29,550 – $46,980	+13.4%+42.8% nominal
46	Food Service ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$72,790	$45,800 – $113,940	+13.2%+42.6% nominal
47	Teaching Assistants, Except PostsecondarySome college, no degree	$34,430	$28,490 – $40,150	+12.6%+41.7% nominal
48	Counter and Rental ClerksNo formal educational credential	$37,870	$28,770 – $60,810	+12.5%+41.7% nominal
49	Community and Social Service Specialists, All OtherBachelor's degree	$50,440	$35,650 – $75,700	+12.5%+41.6% nominal
50	Animal CaretakersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34,150	$28,950 – $50,140	+12.4%+41.6% nominal

More for Florida

Metro areas in Florida

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

By field in Florida

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in Florida to rank honestly.

Jobs that actually got a raise in Florida

More for Florida

Metro areas in Florida

By field in Florida

Without a degree

Jobs that actually got a raise in each state