2026 E-Insights Report

Median Annual Earnings for Higher Education Population

  • Tampa Bay sees earnings growth but remains competitively stagnant near the bottom. While median annual earnings for residents with higher education rose from approximately $49,000 in 2020 to roughly $60,000 in 2024, this internal growth has not improved the region’s market standing. Tampa Bay has remained trapped between No. 18 and No. 19 for the entire decade (2013–2024), effectively hugging the bottom of the cohort alongside Orlando. This indicates that while local wages are rising, they are merely drifting upward with inflation rather than closing the gap with higher-paying competitor markets.
  • Seattle continues to dominate as the salary leader, maintaining the No. 1 position consistently since 2013 and posting median earnings exceeding $91,000 in 2024. In contrast, Orlando anchored the absolute bottom (No. 20) in 2024 with earnings dipping just below the $60,000 mark, highlighting a regional challenge for Florida markets in attracting and retaining top-tier talent with competitive compensation.
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About: This metric measures the median annual earnings for the population aged 25 and older who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Definition: Earnings include wages, salaries, and net self-employment income. This indicator serves as a proxy for the region’s ability to offer competitive compensation to its most skilled workforce. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS), Table B20004: Earnings by Educational Attainment.