FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, May 7, 2026
CONTACT: Christina Johnson
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released its report, Florida Manufacturing: A Highly Productive and Integral Economic Driver, which examines the current state of Florida’s manufacturing sector, the headwinds it faces, and the policy steps needed to keep it moving. A video primer by Florida TaxWatch Research Economist Garrett Gouveia on the report may also be found here.
Florida is one of the leading states in the nation for manufacturing and plays an essential role in the state’s economy and workforce. As measured in Q3 of 2025, Florida had a manufacturing GDP of $86.6 billion and ranked 6th among all states in the total value of all manufactured goods exported. Its output made up 4.62 percent of Florida’s GDP during this time, surpassing that of tourism and agriculture.
The industry’s backbone is a mix of aerospace, defense, and space manufacturing along the Space Coast corridor, anchored by global names like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, SpaceX, and Raytheon. Florida also produces a wide range of consumer and industrial goods including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage imports, and recreational boats.
Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Jeff Kottkamp said, “In 2025, the manufacturing industry employed more than 434,000 people, making it the 11th largest industry by workforce in Florida. The employment landscape in manufacturing is notable for its high-wage potential without barriers presented by advanced degrees.
“Moreover, of the 15 largest manufacturing jobs by category, only four require a degree beyond a high school diploma or equivalent. This, combined with an $87,000 average annual salary, demonstrates the industry’s place as a high-earning opportunity for those who do not wish to go down the path of post-secondary education. In fact, despite people’s immediate image of what a manufacturing job should be, these positions have become about as physically demanding as a typical white-collar job with similar levels of pay.”
Florida’s manufacturing industry has continued to grow and show its value in the state. It operates as a highly productive and integral economic driver while also serving as a high-wage opportunity for those who do not want to go through traditional education routes.
While the national manufacturing sector faces difficulties from increasing prices to production and slowing trade, Florida’s strong deep seaport presence can insulate the industry from some of these issues; however, it is facing a fast-approaching crisis in the form of an aging workforce that is currently on track to retire before their knowledge and experience can be shared and a new jobs pipeline to manufacturing can be formed. Florida’s Secretary of Commerce, in fact, testified in October 2025 that more than half of the manufacturing workforce is 45 years of age or older, disproportionately different from most other workforce sectors in Florida.
Solutions all revolve around getting this new generation of workers recruited and prepared before it is too late. It remains to be seen to what extent artificial intelligence can help to close this knowledge gap. Showing the better working conditions of new-age positions, lowering the barriers to education, and strengthening job programs can bring velocity to a valuable industry facing some strong resistance. Florida TaxWatch’s 2025 MakeMore Manufacturing Summit: Summary Report highlights how many of these solutions are beginning to be put into place in Florida.
To learn more and access the full report, please click here.
About Florida TaxWatch
As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog and taxpayer research institute, and the trusted “eyes and ears” of Florida taxpayers for more than 47 years, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) works to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government. Its research recommends productivity enhancements and explains the statewide impact of fiscal and economic policies and practices on taxpayers and businesses. FTW is supported by its membership via voluntary, tax-deductible donations and private grants. Donations provide a solid, lasting foundation that has enabled FTW to bring about a more effective, responsive government that is more accountable to, and productive for, the taxpayers it has served since 1979. For more information, please visit www.floridataxwatch.org.
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