top 12 jobs and growing industries in lakeland, florida.

Unsurprisingly, Lakeland is best known for its 38 scenic lakes. But it’s highways, not waterways, that fuel the city’s economy. Lakeland sits along the 132-mile stretch of Interstate 4, linking it with Orlando to the east and Tampa to the west. This strategic location has transformed the area into a formidable logistics and distribution hub, creating thousands of warehouse jobs. In fact, Lakeland is growing so rapidly that it adds over a million square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space annually.

This growth is substantiated by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for the Lakeland-Winter Haven metropolitan region (also known as Polk County). Out of a total employed population of 251,360, nearly 43,000 individuals are in transportation and material-moving occupations. Stockers and order fillers alone comprise almost 7 percent of the workforce, with 16,940 employees.

While there are still more heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (6,600) in the region than IT workers (4,930), tech is making a splash in Lakeland. According to the Milken Institute, which evaluates American cities on 12 indicators, including job and wage growth, technology and broadband access, Lakeland ranks 36th among top-performing cities. This ranking is buoyed by Polk County's tech sector, which contributed $200 million to GDP in 2020, per the Central Florida Development Council.

Also, the city is evolving into a “Zoom Town,” a term for areas attracting a surge of remote workers. A recent ranking positioned Lakeland as the fifth-best city for remote work in the South, with plenty of co-working spaces and coffee shops favored by digital nomads.

Interested in jobs in Lakeland? Here’s our rundown of 12 in-demand roles, including the best remote and entry-level jobs in Lakeland and how much they pay. Since local salaries are broadly in line with the national average, we’ve provided figures from the mid range of Randstad data.

As one of the linchpins of any organization, office administrators account for roughly 13 percent of Lakeland’s workforce, making it the second-largest sector after transportation and logistics. And since you can be an office administrator without entering an office, this is one of the best remote job options in Lakeland. Your salary will depend on your exact role. For example, administrative assistants typically earn between $34k and $43k annually, while front desk receptionists can expect to take home between $29k and $33k.

From overseeing daily operations in healthcare to managing warehouse jobs in logistics, operations managers occupy some of the most important jobs in Lakeland’s most essential industries. Compensation reflects the weight of these responsibilities, with salaries ranging from $79k to $125k.

Machinists are in high demand as jobs in Lakeland's manufacturing sector continue to grow. With wages ranging from $21 to $26 per hour, machinists play an essential role in crafting precision parts and ensuring that machinery operates smoothly.

In Lakeland's bustling manufacturing sector, production managers are indispensable. Earning between $44 and $57 per hour, they're the vital link between the factory floor and management, excelling in problem-solving under stress.

Polk County’s tourism industry employs around 21,000 people and attracts over 5 million visitors each year. Spots like the Polk Museum of Art are big draws, and customer service reps are among those who help make sure visitors have a memorable experience. It’s one of the best jobs for remote work in Lakeland, and you can expect to earn from $33k to $42k.

In Lakeland, skilled welders are in demand across multiple industries. Earning between $19 and $23 an hour, they're the go-to pros for joining metal parts, from construction to manufacturing.