- 1.Miami leads Florida tech salaries with average software engineer compensation at 142000, driven by fintech and international business presence
- 2.Tampa Bay offers strong value proposition with 118000 average tech salaries while maintaining 23% lower cost of living than Miami
- 3.Orlando tech market grew 34% in 2024, with gaming and theme park technology driving innovation and competitive salaries at 108000 average
- 4.Senior-level positions (8+ years) command 45-60% premiums across all three markets, with Miami reaching 220000 for principal engineers
- 5.Remote work policies increased salary parity, with distributed teams offering 15-20% premiums to attract Florida talent
Source: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
Florida Tech Salary Comparison: Major Cities
Average compensation across key technology roles
Miami Software Engineer
Median Annual Salary
Tampa Software Engineer
Median Annual Salary
Miami Data Scientist
Median Annual Salary
Orlando Data Scientist
Median Annual Salary
Tampa Tech Manager
Median Annual Salary
Orlando Tech Manager
Median Annual Salary
Florida Tech Employment
Driven by fintech growth in Miami, healthcare tech in Tampa, and gaming expansion in Orlando
Tech Salaries by Experience Level (Florida Markets)
| Experience Level | Miami | Tampa | Orlando | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | 85000 | 68000 | 62000 | 75000 |
| Mid-Level (3-5 years) | 125000 | 102000 | 94000 | 110000 |
| Senior (6-8 years) | 165000 | 138000 | 128000 | 145000 |
| Staff/Principal (9+ years) | 220000 | 185000 | 168000 | 190000 |
| Engineering Manager | 195000 | 165000 | 152000 | 175000 |
Source: Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, Indeed (2024)
Source: Orlando Economic Partnership
Tech Salaries by Company Type (Average Across Florida)
| Company Type | Average Salary | Equity Value | Total Comp | Job Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAANG/Big Tech | 195000 | 85000 | 280000 | High |
| Fintech/Banking | 165000 | 45000 | 210000 | Medium |
| Healthcare Tech | 145000 | 25000 | 170000 | High |
| Gaming/Entertainment | 135000 | 35000 | 170000 | Medium |
| Startups | 125000 | 65000 | 190000 | Low |
| Government/Defense | 115000 | 5000 | 120000 | Very High |
Source: Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, AngelList (2024)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Cost-Adjusted Tech Salaries (Purchasing Power)
| City | Avg Tech Salary | Cost Index | Adjusted Salary | Effective Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | 142000 | 115.2 | 123000 | High |
| Tampa | 118000 | 91.8 | 129000 | Highest |
| Orlando | 108000 | 94.5 | 114000 | Medium |
| Jacksonville | 95000 | 88.2 | 108000 | Medium |
Source: BLS Consumer Price Index, Numbeo Cost of Living
Designs, develops, and maintains software applications and systems. Florida's largest tech role with strong demand across all major cities.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Full-Stack Developer
- • Backend Engineer
- • Mobile Developer
Analyzes complex data to extract insights for business decisions. Growing rapidly in Miami's finance sector and Tampa's healthcare industry.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • ML Engineer
- • Data Analyst
- • AI Researcher
Manages infrastructure, deployment, and automation systems. High demand across Florida's growing tech ecosystem.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Site Reliability Engineer
- • Cloud Engineer
- • Platform Engineer
Leads product strategy and development cycles. Essential role in Florida's startup and established tech companies.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Technical PM
- • Growth PM
- • Senior Product Manager
Average Software Engineer Salary (Miami)
Outpacing national average growth due to fintech expansion and international business presence
Strategic Career Moves in Florida Tech
Research Market-Specific Opportunities
Focus on Miami for fintech/international business, Tampa for healthcare tech and established companies, Orlando for gaming and entertainment technology. Each market has distinct salary ranges and growth trajectories.
Optimize for Cost-Adjusted Compensation
Consider Tampa Bay for the best purchasing power balance, where lower salaries are offset by significantly reduced living costs. Miami offers highest absolute salaries but requires careful budgeting.
Target High-Growth Sectors
Position yourself in expanding areas: AI/ML in Miami's fintech, healthcare technology in Tampa, and gaming/VR in Orlando. These sectors show 25-40% year-over-year salary growth.
Leverage Remote Work Flexibility
Negotiate remote or hybrid arrangements to access higher-paying opportunities while maintaining Florida's tax advantages and lifestyle benefits. Many companies offer 15-20% premiums for distributed talent.
Build Market-Relevant Skills
Focus on Python/JavaScript for development roles, cloud platforms (AWS dominant in Florida), and industry-specific knowledge (finance APIs, healthcare compliance, gaming engines) for premium positioning.
This comprehensive analysis combines government employment data, industry salary reports, and real-time job market intelligence to provide accurate Florida tech salary insights.
Florida Tech Salary FAQ
Related Tech Career Resources
Data Sources & References
Official employment and wage statistics for Florida metropolitan areas
Employee-reported salary data and company reviews
Technology compensation data including equity and total compensation packages
Real-time job posting salary data and market trends
State employment statistics and economic development data
Cost of living adjustments and purchasing power calculations
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.