Florida has been ranked as the top state for attracting and developing a skilled workforce for the third year in a row, according to the 2024 Talent Attraction Scorecard released by Lightcast. The report evaluates states on job growth, education attainment, regional competitiveness, and migration data.
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. We’re not just preparing for the future—we’re ahead of schedule, building a workforce ready for high-demand, high-wage careers today.”
The report also highlighted that Florida is home to seven of the ten highest-scoring Large Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in the country. 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 Florida Mid-Sized MSAs are among the nation’s top ten: Wildwood-The Villages (#1), Panama City-Panama City Beach (#4), Punta Gorda (#5), and Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor (#9).
J. Alex Kelly, Florida Secretary of Commerce, stated: “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. 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.”
Ray Rodrigues, State University System Chancellor, emphasized collaboration between business leaders and university faculty: “Florida is a national leader because of intentional collaboration between the state’s business leaders and university faculty shaping curriculum. 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 said: “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. 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.”
The state also moved up significantly in education attainment rankings nationwide since Governor DeSantis took office. This progress has been attributed to efforts aligning educational programs with employer needs through targeted investments.
Since 2019, over 3.8 million new businesses have formed in Florida—more than any other state—with more than 360,700 established so far in 2025 alone.
Governor DeSantis’ Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget allocates $726.9 million toward workforce education programs aimed at preparing students for high-demand jobs. Additionally, more than $291 million from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund has supported public infrastructure improvements and workforce training initiatives since 2019—creating over 30,000 educational opportunities and more than 40,000 new jobs across Florida.
