FloridaS booming Economy โDoesn’t Translate to Higherโข Payโฃ for โState Workers, Data Shows
TALLAHASSEE, โฃFL – Despite ranking among the nation’s economic leaders, โFlorida state workers are significantly underpaid compared to their counterparts in โขneighboring states, according to a recent analysis. A legislator indicated she intends to โฃaddressโ the disparityโ during the 2026 legislative session, saying, “Theโ State of Florida should doโข the same,” when askedโ about pursuing a state โคpay โคraise.
Florida boasts the fourth-largest economy in โthe U.S.as measured by gross domestic product and ranks fifth in โper capita income. However, โstates with smaller economies and lower average incomes โare payingโ theirโฃ state employees more. Thisโ gap raises concerns about Florida’s ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, potentially impacting essential public services.
The data, compiled fromโ ZipRecruiter and the U.S. Department of Commerce, revealsโ aโค stark โcontrast.โ Georgia,โ with an economy half the size of Florida’s,โค offers state workers anโฃ average โof 13% more in pay.โฃ alabama, whose economy is one-quarter Florida’s size, pays 21% more. Both states rank in the bottom 10 nationally for per capita income, while Florida sits at 21st.
Even Mississippi, last in the nation in per capita income, compensates its state โemployeesโข 26% higher than florida. The U.S.โฃ Departmentโข of Commerce dataโค shows Florida’s โคper capita โincome is significantly lower than many states offering higher โขstate worker salaries.
The issue is expected to be a key topic during the 2026 legislative session, as โคlawmakers consider proposals to address the pay disparity and ensure Florida can compete for talentโฃ in the public sector.
James Call โคis aโค member of โคthe USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau. He can beโ reached at โjcall@tallahassee.com. Follow on him Twitter: โ@CallTallahassee.