In Orlando, tourism reigns supreme. This central Florida city is home to theme park juggernauts like Walt Disney World® Resort, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando. With such prominent attractions, it’s no surprise that in 2022, tourism and hospitality accounted for 43 percent of jobs in Orange County. In fact, according to Visit Orlando, the city welcomed a staggering 74 million visitors in 2022, maintaining its position as the most-visited destination in the country.
Tourism only scratches the surface of what this diverse city has to offer, though. A wealth of industries, from healthcare and IT to finance and aerospace, are gaining a foothold here, growing exponentially and offering an exciting variety of employment opportunities.
Here’s what you need to know about the top 12 jobs across these booming industries in Orlando, including salary ranges. Randstad research indicates salaries in Orlando are roughly on a par with the national average, so we’ve included figures from the mid range of our data.
1. aerospace engineer
The Space Coast is less than an hour from Orlando, so it makes sense that the aerospace and aviation industry is a major employer here. The seven largest industry firms on the Fortune 500 list all have operations in the city, and it’s a manufacturing hub for parts used in spacecraft production. That’s where aerospace engineers fit in. There are just over 900 of these professionals in the city, and nationwide, employment is expected to grow 8 percent between 2022 and 2032. The salary for aerospace engineers in Orlando is around $123k.
about this job2. customer service representative
Orlando has a number of large companies, including Darden Restaurants and AAA, that need customer service representatives to help field calls and manage inquiries. Throughout the metro area, there are over 90 contact centers and nearly 33,000 customer service positions, making this one of the top business and administrative support roles in the city. Customer service representatives can expect to make between $33k and $42k annually.
about this job3. office clerk
While customer service is a big employer in the area, there’s also a booming business support services industry in Orlando. Companies like Charter Communications, Booking.com and Travel + Leisure Co. have bases here, but there are also a number of shared services operations that support global organizations like Disney® and Verizon. Some 24,000 office clerks work across these businesses, and generally, salaries range from $33k to $42k.
about this job4. material handler
Orlando’s central location is a major draw for distribution and logistics businesses. In fact, 1,540 such companies operate within the city, including Amazon, Publix, Walgreens and CVS. The transportation and material moving industry is a major employer, with 118,000 jobs, including just over 19,000 material handler positions. Wages for material handlers in the city range from $15 to $17 per hour.
about this job5. order picker
Orlando is uniquely positioned geographically to support four modes of freight and cargo transport: road, air, rail and sea. With three major ports within two hours of the city and Orlando International Airport, it’s easy for companies with warehouse operations here to move materials. Order pickers in Orlando can expect to make between $14 and $16 per hour.
about this job6. pharmacist
AdventHealth is the second-largest employer in Orlando, right behind Walt Disney World® Resort. This healthcare giant has more than 20 hospitals and emergency rooms spanning central Florida. Aside from AdventHealth, the city is home to 16 other hospitals, including Nemours Children’s Hospital. There are more than 100,000 workers in healthcare jobs in Orlando, including just over 3,000 pharmacists. Annual salaries range from $125k to $136k.
about this job7. accountant
Given all the companies operating here, it’s no wonder the business and financial sector employs a significant number of workers (87,000). With around 12,500 positions, accountants and auditors are among the top finance jobs in Orlando. Accountants are critical to ensuring the city’s many businesses stay profitable and make sound financial decisions. Salaries range from $69k to $89k.
about this job8. loan processor
Orlando is home to the headquarters of 30 banks and 20 credit unions. Financial institutions in the city range from retail banks and wealth management firms to processing centers and fintech companies. There are just over 3,000 loan processors working in the city, making the role another of the top finance jobs in Orlando. These professionals typically earn between $41k and $48k.
about this job9. software developer
Somewhat surprisingly, Orlando is one of the nation’s top cities for STEM job growth and has one of the fastest-growing tech markets in the nation. And the workforce is booming — in 2021, more than 2,200 software developers graduated in the city. There are around 40,000 workers in computer and mathematical roles, including more than 11,000 developers. In Orlando, salaries average $114k.
about this job10. systems analyst
The tech industry in Orlando is anchored by several colleges, including the University of Central Florida, which was founded to support the U.S. space program. Creative Village, a digital media hub in downtown, also acts as a support for the burgeoning sector. Systems analysts in the city make on average $102k.
about this job11. assembler
Multinational corporations like Siemens Energy and Mitsubishi Power Americas have manufacturing headquarters in Orlando. Assemblers play a critical role in the manufacturing process, reviewing parts and ensuring fit and functionality. There are more than 7,000 assemblers in Orlando, and wages generally range from $16 to $20 per hour.
about this job12. welder
Hand-in-hand with the tech industry, Orlando’s colleges, universities and trade programs are spurring growth in manufacturing roles, including welding. In the city, welders usually make between $19 and $25 per hour.
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