Top 20 Highest Paying Jobs in Orlando
The 20 Most Rewarding Jobs in Orlando
By the end of this year, Orlando, Florida’s GDP per capita is expected to reach $45,433. Orlando is best known as the home of Walt Disney World. However, it’s also a prominent city in the United States with a lot of job opportunities, including many high-paying positions.
Are you thinking about moving to Orlando after you graduate from college? Are you an Orlando resident looking to make a career change? Or just looking for the highest-paying jobs in Orlando? No matter what your current stage of life is, this handy job guide can help.
In this guide, you’ll find a list of the top 20 highest-paying jobs in Orlando. You’ll also learn about the highest-paying industries in Orlando, the highest-paying jobs for fresh graduates, and the degrees you need to earn to make a good living here.
What Salary Is Considered Rich in Orlando?
Before we explore the best-paid jobs in Orlando, let’s talk a little bit about the cost of living here and what salary is considered “rich” among Orlando’s residents.
Based on the city’s GDP per capita, it’s understandable that the cost of living and the average salary here are lower than they are in many other parts of the United States.
The average salary for an Orlando resident is $56,515 per year, which is quite a bit lower than the average salary in the U.S. When you consider the lower-than-average cost of living in Orlando, though, you’ll find that you can get by on less here.
For example, for a family of 4, monthly expenses are approximately $3,212 (not including rent), and a single person’s monthly expenses are roughly $913 (not including rent). Orlando is 31.54 percent less expensive than New York, another major U.S. location, and rental prices are 54.81 percent lower than those in New York.
Based on this information, a salary of over $100,000 would likely make one “rich” in Orlando. As you move into this territory, you’ll likely have an easier time paying all your bills while still having plenty of disposable income leftover.
What Is the #1 Highest-Paid Position in Orlando?
Now that you know how much you need to earn to be considered rich in Orlando, let’s talk about the jobs that provide that kind of income. There are plenty of high-paying jobs in Orlando that offer generous salaries, including the city’s number 1 highest-paid position: Psychiatrist.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors and mental health professionals who treat patients struggling with mental illnesses (depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc.).
The average salary for a psychiatrist in Orlando is $250,180 per year, nearly 5 times the salary of the average Orlando resident. The entry-level salary for psychiatrists is quite high, too, at $138,640 per year, which is more than 2.5 times the average Orlando salary.
If a psychiatry career doesn’t appeal to you, there are lots of other good jobs to consider in Orlando. The following are the top 20 highest-paid positions in Orlando, ranked from lowest to highest salary:
Top 20 Highest Paid Jobs in Orlando
20. Postsecondary Engineering Teachers: Average Salary $111,000 per year
19. Compensation and Benefits Managers: Average Salary $111,290 per year
18. Pharmacists: Average Salary $118,250 per year
17. Physician Assistants: Average Salary $121,340 per year
16. Marketing Managers: Average Salary $121,380 per year
15. Lawyers: Average Salary $122,100 per year
14. Sales Managers: Average Salary $125,090 per year
13. Public Relations and Fundraising Managers: Average Salary $128,800 per year
12. Purchasing Managers: Average Salary $134,280 per year
11. Financial Managers: Average Salary $140,680 per year
10. Computer and Information Systems Managers: Average Salary $147,580 per year
9. Architectural and Engineering Managers: Average Salary $151,740 per year
8. General Dentists: Average Salary $169,250 per year
7. Other Physicians and Ophthalmologists: Average Salary $182,400 per year
6. Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates: Average Salary $185,950 per year
5. Family Medicine Physicians: Average Salary $197,550 per year
4. Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Average Salary $210,780 per year
3. Surgeons: Average Salary $223,890 per year
2. General Internal Medicine Physicians: Average Salary $235,250 per year
1. Psychiatrists: Average Salary $250,180 per year
Top 5 Highest-Paying Industries in Orlando
In addition to wanting to know about the highest-paying jobs in this city, you may also be curious about the highest-paying industries in Orlando. Listed below are the area’s top 5 highest-paying industries, plus a breakdown of the top 3 careers in each industry and its job prospects:
The healthcare industry is, understandably, one of the highest-paying industries in Orlando. From mental health practitioners like psychiatrists and psychologists to surgeons and general practitioners, there are lots of high-earning healthcare professionals here.
Top 3 Careers:
- Psychiatrists: Average Salary $250,180 per year
- General Internal Medicine Physicians: Average Salary $235,250 per year
- Surgeons: Average Salary $223,890 per year
Job Prospects: For someone with a healthcare education and background, the job prospects in Orlando look quite promising. Throughout the United States, there is a high demand right now for healthcare workers in hospitals and clinics, so most professionals in this field will be able to find (high-paying) work quite quickly once they start their search.
The legal industry is another high-paying industry in Orlando, which judges and lawyers being some of its top earners. Legal professionals can do quite well for themselves in Orlando, especially if they pursue one of the 3 career options listed below.
Top 3 Careers:
- Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates: Average Salary $185,950 per year
- Lawyers: Average Salary $122,100 per year
- Paralegal: Average Salary $61,101 per year
Job Prospects: The legal industry is a tricky one in the United States (and Orlando) right now. There is currently low demand for lawyers and other legal professionals, which means the industry is quite competitive, especially for lawyers.
If you’re passionate about a career as a lawyer, don’t let this information deter you. Keep in mind, though, that it might take you a bit longer to find a good job that provides a high salary.
The information technology (or IT) industry is booming throughout the United States, and Orlando is no exception. For those who have a tech background, the IT industry is a good option that provides lots of high-paying jobs.
Top 3 Careers:
- Computer and Information Systems Managers: Average Salary $147,580 per year
- Computer Network Architects: Average Salary $107,590 per year
- Information Security Analysts: Average Salary $100,700 per year
Job Prospects: The job prospects for those in the information technology industry are quite promising in Orlando and beyond. If you have experience in the tech world and want to get hired by one of the businesses in this part of Florida, you’ll likely have an easy time finding work and getting paid a higher-than-average salary, too.
There are lots of high-paying marketing and sales jobs in the Orlando area. If you want to work in this industry, you’ll find plenty of great positions to choose from here, especially if you’re looking for a management or directorial role.
Top 3 Careers:
- Public Relations and Fundraising Managers: Average Salary $128,800 per year
- Sales Managers: Average Salary $125,090 per year
- Marketing Managers: Average Salary $121,380 per year
Job Prospects: The job prospects for those in the marketing and sales industry are quite promising. If you want to work in public relations, sales, marketing, or another related field, you’ll likely find plenty of job openings and will be able to get hired fairly easily, whether you’re seeking a lower-level position or a management career.
Postsecondary educators can also earn higher-than-average salaries in Orlando, too. They don’t bring in as much as surgeons or lawyers, but they still do quite well for themselves. A career as a postsecondary educator (working in a university or college) also allows you to exercise your passion for teaching while also helping to make other people’s lives better, so it’s a win-win.
Top 3 Careers:
- Postsecondary Engineering Teachers: Average Salary $111,000 per year
- Postsecondary Economics Teachers: Average Salary $106,380 per year
- Postsecondary Computer Science Teachers: Average Salary $99,930 per year
Job Prospects: Postsecondary educators can earn relatively high salaries in Orlando.
However, the postsecondary education industry is quite competitive. There are not a lot of positions available (anywhere in the United States, not just in Orlando), so it can be hard to find a job in this field, especially if you want to live in a specific place.
As is the case with legal professionals, if you are passionate about education, don’t let this information deter you from pursuing your dream. Just be aware that it may take a while for you to find your ideal position.
Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Orlando for Fresh Graduates
An obstetrician and gynecologist (or OB-GYN) is a medical professional who cares for women before, during, and after pregnancy. They also prescribe birth control, guide them through menopause, and more.
OB-GYNs are some of the highest-earning professionals in Orlando, and this includes their entry-level salary, which is $145,150 on average. When you consider how important they are to the women of Orlando, and how much schooling they have to go through, it makes sense that they’re paid accordingly.
Before you can start working as an OB-GYN, you’ll need to complete a 4-year bachelor’s degree, 4 years of medical school, and a 3 to 7-year residency. It’s not easy to become an OB-GYN, but once you graduate and get hired, you’ll start earning a high salary right away.
Psychiatrists might end up being the highest earners in Orlando, but their entry-level salaries are a bit lower than those of OB-GYNs ($138,640 per year on average). Of course, earning more than $138,000 per year is nothing to scoff at, especially in a place like Orlando (and when you consider the fact that, after a few years of practicing, you can earn over $250,000 per year).
To become a psychiatrist, you’ll need to put about as much time in as you would to become an OB-GYN or another type of doctor, too.
First, you’ll need to complete a 4-year bachelor’s degree and 4 years of medical school, plus a 4-year residency program. It’s a long process, but once you graduate and start seeing patients, you’ll be able to enjoy a higher-than-average salary.
General dentists can also earn very nice salaries right after they graduate from school. There’s a high demand for general dentists in many parts of the U.S., including Orlando, so it’s not too difficult to find work or even start your own practice.
Once you finish school and start working as a general dentist, you can earn an entry-level salary of $92,770 per year (on average). For a fresh graduate, that’s not too shabby. It only takes about 8 years to become a general dentist, too, which (although still quite a while to be in school) is less than the other two healthcare positions mentioned previously.
If you want to work in the mental health field but aren’t interested in spending 12-plus years in school, a career as a psychologist might be a better fit for you. Psychologists in Orlando earn an average entry-level salary of $76,730 per year, and after a few years practicing, they can earn over $100,000 per year.
To become a psychologist, you need just a master’s degree, too (although some do go on to earn doctoral degrees), which can be completed in about 6 years. If you want to start your career sooner but still want to support those who are struggling with their mental health, you may want to consider pursuing a psychology degree.
It’s not just mental health professionals and medical professionals who earn good livings in Orlando. Engineers don’t do too badly for themselves, either. This is especially true of electronics engineers.
Electronics engineers are responsible for designing and developing various types of electronic equipment, including communications systems and broadcast systems. In Orlando, they can enjoy an average entry level salary of $66,400 per year (and an average salary of $108,350 after working for a few years).
To become an electronics engineer, you typically need just a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Some do go on to earn master’s degrees to increase their earning potential, but it’s not required.
What Degree Pays the Most in Orlando?
To qualify for any of the best-paid jobs in Orlando, you’ll first need to obtain a degree from an accredited college or university.
If you’re not sure what kind of degree you want to pursue, the table below can point you in the right direction. Broken down below are some of the top degree types to consider, plus the potential salary you can earn once you start your career.
Degree Type | Potential Salary |
Medical (Psychiatry) | $250,180 per year |
Medical (OB-GYN) | $235,250 per year |
Dentistry | $169,250 per year |
Electrical Engineering | $108,350 per year |
Psychology | $101,470 per year |
Of course, not everyone who earns these degrees earns the same salary as what’s listed above. Some people earn more, some less. These are just estimated figures to help you get started as you begin planning for the future.
Keep in mind, though, that any of these degrees can help you to earn a high salary. They will also make you far more marketable (and help you to earn more money) if you ever decide to leave Orlando and seek a career somewhere else.
Highest-Paying Jobs in Orlando
Now that you know more about the highest-paying jobs in Orlando, do you have a better idea of what kind of career you want to pursue?
It doesn’t matter if you’re getting ready to make a career change or want to make smart decisions as a student planning your course schedule. Regardless of your situation, this guide provides lots of valuable information that can simplify your process and help you make the best choices for your future.
When you’re ready to start applying for the best-paid jobs in Orlando, be sure to check out GrabJobs, too.
GrabJobs features a free search tool that helps you to narrow down your options instantly with filters for topics like job type, salary, and education requirements. We also have a career resources page full of other helpful guides on interview preparation, resume writing, and more.
