Florida Ranked #1 in Skilled Workforce Attraction and Development for Third Year in a Row


September 29th, 2025

Florida Ranked #1 in Skilled Workforce Attraction and Development for Third Year in a Row

 

Florida Leads the Nation in Workforce Growth

Florida has once again proven its strength in workforce development. For the third consecutive year, the state ranked #1 in the nation for attracting and developing a skilled workforce, according to the 2024 Talent Attraction Scorecard released by Lightcast.

The Scorecard evaluates states based on job growth, educational attainment, regional competitiveness, and migration data. Florida’s strong performance across these categories demonstrates the success of its ongoing investments in education, workforce training, and business development.

“Florida set an ambitious goal to be number one in workforce education by 2030 – and we continue to march towards this achievement,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We’re not just preparing for the future – we’re ahead of schedule, building a workforce ready for high-demand, high-wage careers today.”

Top Rankings in Key Workforce Categories

Florida’s success is driven by consistent top rankings in multiple categories:

  • #1 in overall job growth
  • #1 in competitive effect (an indicator of a region’s ability to attract industries and talent)
  • #2 in skilled job growth
  • #3 in high-earning job growth

This combination signals that not only is Florida attracting new businesses, but it is also preparing residents for well-paying, future-ready careers.

Florida’s Metropolitan Areas Shine Nationally

In addition to statewide recognition, Florida dominated metropolitan rankings. The state is home to seven of the top ten Large Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in the U.S., including:

  • Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach (#3)
  • Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford (#4)
  • Crestview–Fort Walton Beach–Destin (#5)
  • North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota (#7)
  • Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater (#8)
  • Lakeland–Winter Haven (#9)
  • Naples–Marco Island (#10)

For Mid-Sized MSAs, Florida secured four of the top ten, with standout rankings for Wildwood–The Villages (#1) and Punta Gorda (#5).

These high-performing regions reflect Florida’s ability to match workforce training with business needs. The state also creates communities attractive to both employers and employees.

Strategic Investments in Workforce Education

Florida’s consistent leadership in workforce development stems from record investments in education and training. Highlights include:

  • $726.9 million allocated in the FY 2025-2026 budget for workforce education programs.
  • $291 million awarded through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund since 2019, supporting infrastructure and workforce training.
  • Creation of more than 30,000 workforce education opportunities and 40,000 new jobs through grant-funded projects.
  • Recent investment of $200 million to recruit and retain world-class university faculty, ensuring Florida’s students receive top-tier education aligned with employer demand.

“Florida’s top ranking in talent attraction and development for the third year in a row is a testament to our strategic investments in workforce education,” said Adrienne Johnston, President and CEO of CareerSource Florida.

Data comes from:

A Growing Economy with Opportunity

Since 2019, Florida has led the nation in new business creation, with 3.8 million new businesses formed. More than 360,700 were already launched in 2025 alone. This robust entrepreneurial climate, paired with the state’s focus on workforce development, makes Florida one of the most competitive markets in the country for companies seeking skilled talent.

Florida’s strategy is clear: align education, business development, and infrastructure investments. This ensures both employers and employees have the resources to succeed.

Conclusion

Florida’s recognition as the #1 state for skilled workforce attraction and development for the third straight year reinforces its position as a national leader in preparing residents for high-demand, high-wage careers. With unmatched job growth, top-ranked metropolitan areas, and historic investments in education, the Sunshine State is not just meeting its 2030 goals—it’s surpassing them.

For businesses seeking to expand or relocate, Florida offers a future-ready workforce, a thriving economy, and a business-friendly climate that continues to deliver results.

Source: Governor’s Press Office, State of Florida – ICYMI: Florida Ranks #1 for Attracting and Developing a Skilled Workforce for Third Consecutive Year (Press Release, September 16, 2025).