Miami is a major city located in Miami-Dade County in the state of Florida. As of 2019, Miami had an estimated population of 470,914 people, making it the 7th most populous city in the United States. Miami is a major center of commerce, finance, and boasts a strong international business community. The city has a diverse economy spanning many different industries and occupational sectors. This article will explore the most common occupations held by residents of Miami.
Some quick facts about occupations in Miami:
– The largest employment sector is office and administrative support occupations, employing 14.4% of Miami’s workforce.
– Miami has a large hospitality and tourism industry, with 14.3% working in food preparation and serving occupations.
– Healthcare practitioners and technicians make up 7.9% of jobs.
– Sales and related occupations account for 10.6% of local jobs.
– 10.5% work in business and financial operations.
Now let’s take a deeper look at the most prevalent occupations held by Miami residents.
Major Occupational Sectors
Office and Administrative Support
The most common occupational category in Miami is office and administrative support, employing 66,640 people or 14.4% of the workforce. This includes positions like secretaries, administrative assistants, clerks, and other roles focused on organizational, support, and clerical work. Many major corporations have headquarters and regional offices in Miami that require large administrative and support staffs. The city’s position as an international hub of commerce also generates demand for these occupations.
Food Preparation and Serving
With its vibrant culinary and hospitality scene, it is no surprise that food preparation and serving related occupations are second largest in Miami at 14.3%. 66,010 residents work in roles like cooks, waiters, bartenders, dishwashers, and dining room attendants. Miami is one of the top tourist destinations in the U.S. and welcomed over 24 million visitors in 2019. This steady stream of tourists patronizing Miami’s world-famous restaurants, bars, hotels, and entertainment venues drives strong demand for food service employees.
Sales and Related Occupations
Reflecting the prevalence of retail and hospitality businesses, 10.6% of Miami’s workforce or 48,930 people are employed in sales and related occupations. This includes cashiers, retail salespersons, wholesale sales representatives, door-to-door sales workers, telemarketers, and other sales focused roles. As a city with a robust tourism industry, there is high demand for salespeople and retail workers to cater to visitors. Sales jobs also support the needs of the area’s large business community.
Business and Financial Operations
With Miami’s stature as a banking and finance hub, particularly for Latin America, it follows that business and financial operations occupations would be common in the city. 10.5% of Miami’s workforce or 48,630 people are business professionals working in roles such as accountants, financial analysts, meeting planners, fundraisers, and human resources specialists. Major banks and financial services firms like JP Morgan Chase have large operations in Miami employing many local residents.
Healthcare Practitioners and Technicians
Miami’s tropical climate and popularity as a retirement destination contribute to the high proportion of jobs in healthcare. 7.9% of the city’s workforce or 36,520 residents work as physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, dental hygienists, paramedics, pharmacy technicians, and other healthcare roles. Miami is home to world-renowned hospitals and medical centers like Jackson Memorial Hospital, Baptist Health South Florida, and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.
Other Major Occupational Sectors
While the top five occupation groups highlighted represent over 57% of Miami’s workforce, other important sectors help comprise the city’s diverse employment profile:
| Occupation | # Employed | Share of Workforce |
| Transportation and Material Moving | 33,100 | 7.1% |
| Construction and Extraction | 25,110 | 5.4% |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | 23,010 | 5.0% |
| Management | 22,520 | 4.9% |
| Education, Training, and Library | 20,850 | 4.5% |
Miami’s importance as a transportation and logistics hub creates many jobs related to moving people, goods, and materials. Construction work is also plentiful thanks to the region’s continued growth and development. Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations sustain all the infrastructure critical to Miami’s economy. Management and education roles round out the major occupational sectors.
Fastest Growing Occupations
While the largest occupational groups give a snapshot of Miami’s current workforce, looking at projected growth rates shines light on where future jobs may arise. The following table highlights occupations that are anticipated to experience rapid growth in Miami over the next decade:
| Occupation | Estimated Growth by 2028 |
| Wind Turbine Service Technicians | 94.7% |
| Nurse Practitioners | 39.3% |
| Statisticians | 38.4% |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 35.8% |
| Information Security Analysts | 34.2% |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | 33.5% |
Several health occupations like nurse practitioners and therapist assistants are projected to see strong growth, meeting Miami’s demand for healthcare services. Roles related to data analysis and technology, such as statisticians and information security analysts, will also grow substantially. Renewable energy jobs, like wind turbine technicians, foresee robust demand.
Highest Paying Occupations
While examining job growth provides insight into emerging opportunities, looking at highest paying occupations demonstrates where workers earn the top salaries:
| Occupation | Mean Annual Salary |
| Anesthesiologists | $265,940 |
| Surgeons | $255,110 |
| Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $238,320 |
| Psychiatrists | $220,380 |
| Family Medicine Physicians | $214,370 |
| General Internal Medicine Physicians | $210,960 |
| Chief Executives | $196,050 |
Medical specialists like anesthesiologists, surgeons, obstetricians, and psychiatrists are the top earners, leveraging Miami’s high demand for quality healthcare. Executives at major corporations and organizations also draw substantial salaries. The prevalence of high-paying occupations reinforces Miami’s economic strength and prosperity.
Conclusion
Miami offers a diverse array of occupational opportunities spanning major sectors like healthcare, hospitality, trade, finance, and more. While administrative and food service jobs represent the largest share of current employment, high-paying medical careers and rapidly growing technology roles offer abundant prospects. As Miami continues to expand as a hub for global business, the occupational outlook remains bright. Tracking the city’s most common and fastest growing occupations provides insights into Miami’s economic landscape and where workers can find in-demand roles.
