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Top 20 Highest Paying Jobs in Florida in 2022

Last updated 09/19/2022 by

Camilla Smoot

Edited by

Fact checked by

Summary:
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, most of the highest paying jobs in Florida are within the medical field. Other high-paying jobs include various management, engineer, and pilot positions.
Many people flock to the Sunshine State to enjoy the warm weather, nearby beaches, and fun culture. But as enjoyable as Florida is, it’s also expensive. On average, an individual resident needs to earn around $34,000 to live comfortably in Florida, and that amount increases with each additional family member.
If you’re looking to move to Florida, it’s a good idea to research the jobs with the best salaries. So what are the highest paying jobs in Florida? Most are medical doctors, though there are a few other professions that earn a high wage in Florida. For job seekers looking for a high-salary position, these are the 20 highest-paying jobs in Florida as of 2022, according to data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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1. Anesthesiologists

Annual average salary: $363,570
Anesthesiologists are medical doctors that specialize in critical care medicine, provide patients with pain medications, and administer anesthesia. Anesthesiologists also monitor and supervise patients throughout the entire surgery process. It can take between 12 to 14 years to become an anesthesiologist, as you must graduate from medical school, complete a residency, and pass two examinations.
Of course, those years of studying and hard work pay off, as anesthesiology is statistically one of the highest-paying jobs in Florida and many other areas throughout the United States.

2. Cardiologists

Annual average salary: $359,420
A cardiologist is a medical doctor who studies and specializes in the care of the heart and blood vessels. Cardiologists prevent, diagnose, and treat various heart conditions, such as heart rhythm abnormalities, chest pains, coronary artery disease, and congenital heart disease. Becoming a cardiologist includes an additional three years of fellowship on top of medical school and residency, so expect to take around 14 years to become an official cardiologist.
Similar to anesthesiology, however, the years of training pay off, as cardiology is another of the highest paying jobs in Florida.

3. Radiologists

Annual average salary: $318,530
Radiologists are doctors who use radiology procedures to diagnose and treat injuries and diseases. Training in radiology involves learning to use MRIs, X-rays, CTs, ultrasounds, PETs, and nuclear medicine. Professional radiologists then use this technology to assess nearly every area of the human body.
To become a radiologist and land one of these high-paying jobs requires undergoing an average of 13 years of training.

4. Emergency medicine physicians

Annual average salary: $313,590
Emergency medicine physicians — also referred to as ER doctors — work in the emergency department of hospitals. Emergency departments are fast-paced, and these doctors have to be ready to provide a wide variety of medical care in life-or-death situations.
ER doctors typically treat patients with traumatic injuries or severe health problems, such as heart attacks, strokes, and traumatic brain injuries. After initial treatment, ER doctors typically provide patients with a care plan and recommend other physicians or admit the patients to the hospital.
It takes an average of 11 to 12 years to become an emergency medicine doctor. In Florida, this job earns an estimated salary of just over $313,000, which is higher than the U.S average annual salary of $295,180.

5. Pathologists

Annual average salary: $251,220
Pathology is the study of human tissue, organs, and fluids to understand the causes and effects of diseases. A pathologist takes on a large number of duties, such as performing lab tests, providing diagnoses, and creating treatment plans. Pathologists can specialize in specific areas like blood banking and transfusions, toxicology, forensic pathology, pediatric pathology, and hematology.
Pathologists generally go to school for 11 years and must be recertified every 10 years through the American Board of Pathology.

6. Obstetricians and gynecologists

Annual average salary: $249,800
Obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/GYN) are doctors who specialize in women’s health. An OB/GYN helps deliver babies, performs surgeries, provides women with contraceptives, and checks patients for gynecologic cancers. These doctors also perform sonograms, pelvic laparoscopies, and cesarean sections.
Similar to other medical professions, it takes about 12 years to become an OB/GYN.

7. Ophthalmologists

Annual average salary: $241,120
An ophthalmologist — not to be confused with an optometrist — specializes in vision and eye care. Ophthalmologists diagnose and treat eye diseases and perform eye surgery. They also prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses. Ophthalmologists go to medical school to receive the training they need to perform surgeries.
On average, becoming an ophthalmologist takes around 12 to 14 years of training. Ophthalmologists have more training and responsibilities than optometrists, which is why this is one of the highest-paying jobs in Florida.

Pro Tip

Medical school is expensive but necessary to land many of these high-paying jobs. If your dream is to attend medical school, don’t let the cost deter you; students have plenty of options available to help them afford school. If you’re in need of financial aid, you may want to look into federal student loans.

SuperMoney may receive compensation from some or all of the companies featured, and the order of results are influenced by advertising bids, with exception for mortgage and home lending related products. Learn more

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8. Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers

Annual average salary: $232,600
Some of the highest-paying jobs in Florida that aren’t in the medical field are airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers. Being an airline pilot is about more than simply operating aircraft; pilots must also familiarize themselves with safety procedures, perform maintenance checks, know how to communicate effectively, and learn how to navigate through various weather conditions. A pilot’s work schedule will vary wildly and often requires working on holidays and weekends. Airline pilots go through thousands of training hours, but they usually receive multiple benefits on top of a good salary.
While flight engineers are aviation professionals, they do not pilot airplanes. Instead, flight engineers monitor the aircraft engine and control systems while the craft is in flight. They also perform inspections to ensure all the mechanical and technical pieces of the aircraft work properly.

9. Orthopedic surgeons

Annual average salary: $221,400
Orthopedic surgeons specialize in the care of the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, joints, nerves, tendons, and ligaments. These doctors treat injuries such as broken bones or sports injuries. They also help patients treat and manage chronic diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis.
It takes about 13 to 14 years of training to become an orthopedic surgeon.

10. Family medicine physicians

Annual average salary: $221,020
Family medicine physicians treat a wide variety of patients and sicknesses and perform various procedures, such as colonoscopies, skin procedures, and endoscopies. These physicians receive education focusing on pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, neurology, surgery, community medicine, and internal medicine. With their broad scope of training, family medicine physicians are able to care for people of all ages, including infants and the elderly.
It takes at least ten years to become a family medicine physician.

11. Dermatologists

Annual average salary: $219,580
Dermatologists are doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the skin, hair, and nails. These include diseases like eczema, skin cancer, and psoriasis, but dermatologists can also treat conditions such as hair loss or itchy skin. These doctors treat people of all ages, including infants.
Dermatologists go to school for about 12 years and undergo an average of 12,000 to 16,000 hours of training.

12. Psychiatrists

Annual average salary: $216,040
Psychiatrists are physicians who specialize in mental health and substance use disorders. Psychiatrists may recommend a number of treatments to their patients, including psychotherapy, medicine, and ECT. They can also prescribe medicine to help treat psychological conditions like ADHD, depression, PTSD, anxiety, OCD, and schizophrenia.
Psychiatrists must complete medical school and four years of residency. Although not required, many take an exam at the end of their residency to become board-certified psychiatrists.

13. Chief executives

Annual average salary: $215,050
If you’re seeking a high salary in the business world, you may want to become a chief executive. A chief executive is a leadership role that requires a lot of decision-making and management skills. Chief executives oversee operations within a company, help the company achieve goals, lead teams, and make decisions that affect the company as a whole.
The education requirements for a chief executive position vary, but many require an advanced degree focusing on business administration, finance, or law.

14. Dentists

Annual average salary: $173,470
Dentists specialize in oral health and take on a wide variety of duties, such as interpreting X-rays and other tests; performing surgeries on teeth, bone, and soft tissues in the mouth; and monitoring the development of teeth and jaws. Dentists also diagnose oral diseases and create treatment plans for their patients.
It takes about six to eight years to become a dentist.

15. Nurse anesthetists

Annual average salary: $170,950
Nurse anesthetists usually work in operating rooms, emergency rooms, outpatient clinics, or intensive care units and have a wide variety of responsibilities. Working as a nurse anesthetist involves overseeing patient recovery, administering medicine, and monitoring a patient’s vital signs during medical procedures.
To become a nurse anesthetist in Florida, you must first be a registered nurse, then go through an accredited nurse anesthesia program, pass a final exam, and become licensed in the state. This whole process can take around seven to ten years.

16. Physicists

Annual average salary: $162,600
Physicists are scientists who study space, time, matter, and energy. Physicists generally work in observatories, offices, and research labs, and most of these scientists conduct experiments or study theories. In addition to conducting research, physicists are often required to write scientific papers, present their findings at conferences, and apply for research funding.
A bachelor’s degree is adequate for entry-level jobs in physics, but a Ph.D. is often required for jobs in research and academia.

17. Marketing managers

Annual average salary: $150,760
Another high-paying job in the business world is marketing management. A marketing manager’s duties may vary depending on the company, but most are in charge of advertising campaigns and leading their company’s marketing department. As a marketing manager, you can expect to analyze and collect data from research studies, evaluate the prices of products, lead team members, and oversee projects. Many marketing managers also have multiple administrative duties that must be conducted daily.
If you have a college degree and are a strong communicator with an interest in marketing, a marketing management job could be a great fit for you.

18. Petroleum engineers

Annual average salary: $147,420
Petroleum engineers work on drilling and other petroleum-producing operations throughout the world, and some even help design and supervise these operations. Many engineers work with drills in the Arctic, in desert environments, and even in the ocean. Petroleum engineers rely heavily on math, geology, and physics to do their jobs, so they often work closely with specialists in these fields.
Most petroleum engineering jobs simply require a bachelor’s degree, so it should only take you four years to dive into the world of engineering.

19. Computer and information systems managers

Annual average salary: $146,310
Computer and information system managers — also referred to as IT managers — help manage, direct, and plan computer-related activities within a company. Depending on the company, a computer and information systems manager may be required to lead training programs, determine needs for their department, and analyze the cost of products. Some managers may also be in charge of determining the technology that should be used by their company.
Generally, becoming an IT manager requires at least a bachelor’s degree, but a master’s degree is recommended.

20. Architectural and engineering managers

Annual average salary: $146,290
Although this particular job title is only available at architectural and engineering companies, it comes with the same duties as many other types of managers. Architectural and engineering managers’ duties may vary by company, but most oversee training, develop new products, and determine the budgets needed for projects, among other managerial obligations.
A bachelor’s degree is needed for this position, and most companies prefer to hire an employee with experience in architecture or engineering.

FAQs

What’s the best job to get in Florida?

If you’re looking for job postings in Florida that come with high salaries, your best bets will be within the medical field. The highest paying jobs in Florida are anesthesiologists, cardiologists, and radiologists, but many other medical jobs also rank among the top 20 highest paying jobs in the state.

What are the most in-demand jobs in Florida?

Many jobs in customer service and retail are in high demand in Florida. There is also a high demand for truck drivers and registered nurses.

What is a good income in Florida?

A livable wage for a single person in Florida is just under $35,000 a year before taxes. For a family living in the state, $70,000 a year before taxes is generally recommended.

What job pays the most in Florida without a degree?

Commercial pilots, farmers and rangers, and real estate agents are some of the highest paying jobs in Florida that don’t require a degree.

Key Takeaways

  • According to salary data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data science team, the top three highest paying jobs in Florida are anesthesiologists, cardiologists, and radiologists.
  • The highest paying jobs in Florida that are not in the medical field include airline pilots, copilots, flight engineers, executives, and various management positions.
  • Engineering is another career path that offers high-paying jobs in Florida.
  • As of 2022, the Florida average salary is just over $48,000.

Get the right education for you dream job

Florida offers plenty of high-paying jobs, but it’s far from the only state that does. If you’re looking to move to a city that pays its employees well, SuperMoney has a list of the top ten cities in the U.S. to find high-paying jobs (a hint for the top spot: Utah).
Hoping to get a job in the medical field but need help paying for medical school? Read our guide on federal student aid, or use our comparison tool to find private student loans that work for you.

SuperMoney may receive compensation from some or all of the companies featured, and the order of results are influenced by advertising bids, with exception for mortgage and home lending related products. Learn more

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Camilla Smoot

Camilla has a background in journalism and business communications. She specializes in writing complex information in understandable ways. She has written on a variety of topics including money, science, personal finance, politics, and more. Her work has been published in the HuffPost, KSL.com, Deseret News, and more.

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