Top 10 Highest-Paying Licensed Careers in Florida (2026)
March 3, 2026 · HowToGetLicensed Team
Florida's booming population and year-round economy create strong demand for licensed professionals across healthcare, real estate, and the trades. We compared all 49 licensed professions available in Florida to find the highest-paying career paths. Here are the top 10 by national median salary, with Florida-specific costs and requirements.
Top 10 at a Glance
| # | Profession | Median Salary | Education | Cost in FL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot | $171,210/yr | 80 hrs | $12,000 |
| 2 | Physical Therapist | $99,710/yr | 4,500 hrs | $85,000 |
| 3 | Occupational Therapist | $96,370/yr | 3,500 hrs | $78,000 |
| 4 | Architect | $93,310/yr | 4,000 hrs | $90,000 |
| 5 | Speech Pathologist | $89,290/yr | 2,400 hrs | $65,000 |
| 6 | Audiologist | $87,740/yr | 5,000 hrs | $78,000 |
| 7 | Dental Hygienist | $87,530/yr | 2,200 hrs | $30,000 |
| 8 | Nursing | $86,070/yr | 1,500 hrs | $18,000 |
| 9 | Cpa | $79,880/yr | 150 hrs | $2,250 |
| 10 | Respiratory Therapist | $77,960/yr | 2,200 hrs | $26,000 |
Detailed Breakdown
1. Pilot
Get your pilot license in Florida with 80 hours of education and approximately $12,000 in total costs. Complete Florida guide →
2. Physical Therapist
Get your physical therapist license in Florida with 4,500 hours of education and approximately $85,000 in total costs. Complete Florida guide →
3. Occupational Therapist
Get your occupational therapist license in Florida with 3,500 hours of education and approximately $78,000 in total costs. Complete Florida guide →
4. Architect
Get your architect license in Florida with 4,000 hours of education and approximately $90,000 in total costs. Complete Florida guide →
5. Speech Pathologist
Get your speech pathologist license in Florida with 2,400 hours of education and approximately $65,000 in total costs. Complete Florida guide →
6. Audiologist
Get your audiologist license in Florida with 5,000 hours of education and approximately $78,000 in total costs. Complete Florida guide →
7. Dental Hygienist
Get your dental hygienist license in Florida with 2,200 hours of education and approximately $30,000 in total costs. Complete Florida guide →
8. Nursing
Get your nursing license in Florida with 1,500 hours of education and approximately $18,000 in total costs. Complete Florida guide →
9. Cpa
Get your cpa license in Florida with 150 hours of education and approximately $2,250 in total costs. Complete Florida guide →
10. Respiratory Therapist
Get your respiratory therapist license in Florida with 2,200 hours of education and approximately $26,000 in total costs. Complete Florida guide →
Quick-Start Licenses in Florida
If you want to start earning fast, these Florida licenses require minimal education and under $1,000 to get started:
| Profession | Median Salary | Education | Cost in FL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance Adjuster | $75,020/yr | 40 hrs | $850 |
| Contractor | $74,720/yr | None | $850 |
| Electrician | $61,590/yr | None | $650 |
| Plumber | $61,550/yr | None | $900 |
| Insurance Agent | $59,080/yr | 40 hrs | $525 |
Related Guides
- All Florida professional licenses — browse all 49 professions
- Highest Paying Licensed Professions — national salary rankings
- Cheapest States for Licensing — compare costs across all 50 states
- Licenses That Don't Require a Degree
- How Long Does It Take to Get Licensed?