2026 E-Insights Report

Labor Force Participation Rate by MSA: Bachelor's Degree or Higher

  • Tampa Bay exhibits steady internal growth but remains structurally anchored at the bottom. While the labor force participation rate for residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher improved from roughly 84.2% in 2020 to 86.4% in 2024, this progress has not impacted its competitive standing. The region has been stagnant at No. 20 (the absolute bottom) since 2016, indicating that while educated residents are increasingly joining the workforce, the region is not improving fast enough to close the gap with even the second-lowest performing markets.
  • Denver continues to set the national standard, consistently holding the No. 1 position for the vast majority of the decade and achieving a participation rate of over 91% in 2024. In contrast, Orlando sits just above Tampa Bay at No. 19, highlighting a broader regional trend where Florida MSAs struggle to match the high engagement levels of premier talent hubs like Denver and Minneapolis.
Bar Graph

Trend Over Time

Trend Over Time Line Graph

Competitive Position Trend

Competitive Position Trend Line Graph

About: This metric measures the percentage of the population holding a bachelor’s degree or higher that is active in the workforce. Definition: The labor force includes individuals with advanced education who are either employed, unemployed, or in the Armed Forces. It serves as a key indicator of how effectively a region engages its most highly skilled talent. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS), Table B23006: Educational Attainment by Employment Status for the Population 25 to 64 Years, 2013–2024.