Florida is one of the fastest-growing economies across the nation. According to Governor Ron DeSantis, “Florida is outperforming the nation by protecting the freedom that Floridians need to be able to do business and drive economic success.” Florida’s unemployment rate has remained below the national average and the private sector job growth rate has also beaten the nation’s for 12 straight months since April 2021.
This data indicates there are many job opportunities available for Floridians in search of a new career. But with so many available jobs to choose from, it can be hard to make a decision. In this article, we’ll look at five of the most in-demand careers in Florida.
Retail sales associate
In March 2022, Florida’s labor force grew by 3.2 percent, which led to more jobs opening up — including retail sales associates. These specialized salesmen and women work inside stores that sell goods and services, including Best Buy, Banana Republic, and Macy’s. The job isn’t just limited to selling, however: it can also involve customer service, and maintaining a clean work environment.
Restaurant server
Floridians enjoy eating out at restaurants, so there’s always a demand for servers in the industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Florida had the third highest employment level for waiters and waitresses in the country, equal to 170,290 in May 2021. Nowadays, a server at a restaurant does not just simply serve customers food. They must also be an expert on the menu and manage customer needs and complaints when necessary. Some important skills are good customer service, strong memory, and the ability to multitask during busy dining hours.
Real estate agents
The real estate market is booming in Florida. Our previous piece on residential real estate prices in Florida details that Florida is a seller’s market, which indirectly means that there’s a demand for real estate agents. Whether buying or selling, the real estate agent gets a commission for every successful transaction. Real estate agents need strong communication and negotiation skills, aside from knowing how to market various types of properties.
Remote nurse practitioners
The healthcare industry in Florida is also thriving, especially in telehealth. Innovations in telehealth have opened up more jobs in the industry for workers to be able to provide patients with convenient healthcare from a distance. The demand for remote nurse practitioners in Florida in particular has definitely increased. What makes a ‘remote’ nurse practitioner highly qualified for telehealth service is that they are already licensed nurses with the state and possess an advanced level of education, such as a master’s degree, that qualifies them to do higher functions such as clinic and patient management. With the job being remote, the nurse practitioner conveniently stays home while performing their duties.
Nursing assistants
Another job opportunity high in demand in the healthcare industry of Florida is a nursing assistant. Once a trainee passes the program to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, or CNA, they can enter the medical profession and be part of a medical team that provides direct care to patients. The range of skills required is broad as they assist nurses in providing patients with their basic needs, as well as checking patients’ vital signs and helping to safely transport or move patients around the hospital — all of which are important parts of the treatment experience.
The job market in Florida is diverse, and it’s a great time to seek a career in whatever path best fits your preference. If you aren’t sure where to start, try out any of these suggestions, and see where it takes you. Your path towards a fulfilling career can begin today!