The 2025 Lightcast Talent Attraction Scorecard ranked Florida as the number one state for attracting and developing a skilled workforce—marking the third consecutive year Florida has earned this recognition.

The scorecard evaluates states on job growth, educational attainment, regional competitiveness, and migration data. Florida earned top rankings in multiple categories, including

• #1 for overall job growth

• #1 for competitive effect

• #2 for skilled job growth

• #3 for high-earning job growth

Highlights from the Report

• Florida is home to 7 of the top 10 Large Metro Areas and 4 of the top 10 Mid-Sized Metro Areas in the nation for talent attraction.

• Local highlights include Panama City-Panama City Beach (#4 Mid-Sized MSA), demonstrating how Northwest Florida is part of the state’s workforce success.

• Leaders credit intentional investments in workforce education, business partnerships, and career readiness programs as key drivers of Florida’s momentum.

Why It Matters

Florida’s consistent top ranking underscores the state’s commitment to preparing students for high-demand, high-wage careers. With record investments in career and technical education, workforce training, and infrastructure, Florida is building a pipeline of skilled talent to power its economy well into the future.

🔗 Read the full Lightcast article here: Lightcast 2025 Talent Attraction Scorecard