Florida has been ranked as the top state in the nation for attracting and developing a skilled workforce, according to the 2024 Talent Attraction Scorecard released by Lightcast. This marks the third consecutive year Florida has achieved this ranking. The scorecard evaluates states based on job growth, education attainment, regional competitiveness, and migration data.
The report also highlighted that seven of the ten highest-scoring Large Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) are located in Florida. These include 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), and Naples-Marco Island (#10). In addition, four of the top ten Mid-Sized MSAs are in Florida: Wildwood-The Villages (#1), Panama City-Panama City Beach (#4), Punta Gorda (#5), and Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor (#9).
Governor Ron DeSantis commented on the ranking: “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.”
J. Alex Kelly, Florida Secretary of Commerce, said: “Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, we’re creating opportunities for both job seekers and job creators through a strong focus on education and workforce training. Florida continues to lead the nation with an economy where workforce and talent development are a priority to our success as we continue to build a future full of opportunity for anyone ready to grow and succeed here in the Free State of Florida.”
Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas added: “For the third year in a row, Florida has earned the top spot for attracting and developing a skilled workforce. This consistent Number 1 ranking is proof that our talent pipeline is delivering results,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “We’re committed to keeping this momentum going so Floridians are prepared for high-value careers and businesses have the talent they need to thrive.”
State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues pointed out collaboration between business leaders and university faculty as key factors behind Florida’s performance: “Florida is a national leader because of intentional collaboration between the state’s business leaders and university faculty shaping curriculum,” said State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues. “The State University System of Florida’s 2030 Strategic Plan highlights the importance of university presidents working with industry leaders, attracting top-tier faculty, and preparing students for successful careers. Thanks to Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature’s recent investment of $200M to recruit and retain world-class faculty, Florida can remain #1. The Lightcast rankings demonstrate our steadfast commitment to emphasizing degrees that propel students forward and align with Florida’s workforce needs.”
Adrienne Johnston, President and CEO of CareerSource Florida stated: “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 and our commitment to preparing Floridians for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Adrienne Johnston, CareerSource Florida President and CEO. “At CareerSource Florida, we’re proud to help lead the charge in building a resilient, future-ready workforce that powers our state’s continued economic success.”
Florida also moved up significantly in educational attainment rankings nationwide during this administration. Officials attribute this improvement largely to aligning education programs with employer needs through targeted investments.
Since taking office, Governor DeSantis has focused on investing in workforce education programs as well as infrastructure improvements aimed at supporting business development across the state. These initiatives have contributed toward establishing a robust pipeline for skilled workers while drawing new businesses into Florida.
According to state officials, since 2019 more than 3.8 million new businesses have been formed within the state, including over 360,700 new businesses already established so far in 2025.
In his Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget proposal, Governor DeSantis allocated $726.9 million toward supporting workforce education programs designed to prepare students for jobs projected as high-demand or high-wage positions.
Additionally, since 2019 over $291 million from the Job Growth Grant Fund has supported public infrastructure projects as well as statewide workforce training efforts—resulting in more than 30,000 new opportunities related to workforce education along with creation of over 40,000 jobs.
