Sam SmithThe Tampa Bay area has transformed into one of Florida’s most dynamic economic hubs, powered by a strong mix of healthcare, financial services, defense contracting, and professional services. While it doesn’t mirror the tech-heavy landscapes of San Francisco or Seattle, Tampa offers highly competitive compensation paired with a lower cost of living, growing corporate presence, and high-quality lifestyle appeal.
This guide breaks down the top money spinning careers in Tampa Bay, based on total compensation trends across leading employers in the region.
Top 100 Highest-Paying Jobs in Tampa Bay (Estimated Total Compensation)
1. Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
CEOs in Tampa lead major healthcare systems, financial firms, logistics companies, and regional corporate headquarters. They oversee business strategy, mergers, operations, and investor relationships while driving long-term growth. Tampa’s CEO roles often include substantial bonus structures tied to hospital performance, financial growth, or service-industry expansion. Strong leadership, visionary planning, and regulatory awareness are essential. With Tampa’s continued economic diversification and healthcare dominance, CEOs play a central role in shaping organizational competitiveness, market expansion, and community influence.
2. Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
CFOs manage financial strategy, capital allocation, risk, budgeting, and investor reporting for Tampa’s banking institutions, insurance firms, healthcare systems, and growing corporate offices. They ensure financial stability, regulatory compliance, and profitability in a market heavily influenced by financial services and healthcare operations. Top Tampa CFOs frequently hold CPA or MBA credentials, oversee accounting and finance teams, guide M&A activity, and coordinate funding strategies. Their data-driven leadership supports long-term growth, operational efficiency, and stakeholder confidence across competitive industries.
3. Chief Medical Officer (CMO)
CMOs direct clinical strategy and quality standards within Tampa’s large hospital networks, including BayCare and HCA. They oversee physician performance, patient-care programs, medical policy, and regulatory compliance, ensuring top-tier care while aligning hospital operations with evolving medical standards. CMOs balance administrative responsibilities with clinical insight, often holding both medical and executive leadership experience. In Tampa’s rapidly expanding healthcare system, CMOs play a key role in improving outcomes, managing resource utilization, and advancing medical innovation and patient-centered care.
4. Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
CNOs lead nursing operations across major hospitals and healthcare networks, managing staffing, accreditation, patient quality programs, and workforce development. Tampa’s large population and healthcare demand make nursing leadership essential, particularly with ongoing industry talent shortages. CNOs oversee clinical policies, training initiatives, and coordination between nursing teams and senior medical leadership. They are instrumental in maintaining care standards, improving patient satisfaction, and driving operational efficiency across diverse medical settings, from acute-care hospitals to specialty and outpatient facilities.
5. Chief Information Officer (CIO)
CIOs guide enterprise technology strategy for healthcare networks, finance firms, logistics companies, and government agencies across Tampa Bay. They oversee cybersecurity, infrastructure, digital transformation initiatives, and modernization of enterprise systems. Tampa’s growing tech investment and cybersecurity focus place CIOs at the forefront of innovation, particularly in regulated industries. Responsibilities include vendor management, system resilience, and implementing scalable technology solutions that support business efficiency, data governance, and digital-first service delivery in a fast-evolving commercial environment.
6. Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
CTOs spearhead technology architecture, development, cybersecurity innovation, and digital product strategy for companies across Tampa’s fintech, defense, and service-tech sectors. They collaborate with engineering and data teams to enhance product capabilities and improve system performance. With Tampa’s emerging cybersecurity ecosystem and defense contractor presence, CTOs often drive innovation in cloud platforms, AI-enabled security, and enterprise software. They ensure long-term technology competitiveness and scalability, aligning digital infrastructure and innovation roadmaps with business growth objectives.
7. Chief Operating Officer (COO)
COOs oversee day-to-day operations, workflow efficiency, supply chain management, and strategic execution for Tampa’s leading hospitals, banks, logistics companies, and corporate offices. They coordinate departments, optimize processes, and ensure service delivery at scale. In Tampa’s healthcare ecosystem especially, COOs manage clinical operations, patient throughput, and regulatory compliance. Their operational leadership ensures smooth system performance, cost control, and continuous improvement, playing a critical role in organizational efficiency and sustained growth across fast-evolving industries.
8. Chief Legal Officer / General Counsel
General Counsels lead legal strategy, regulatory affairs, compliance frameworks, and risk mitigation for major corporations, hospital systems, and financial institutions. They manage litigation, oversee contract structuring, support mergers, and guide complex governance decisions. Tampa’s regulated environment — particularly in healthcare, insurance, and finance — makes legal strategy critical. GCs also collaborate with executive leadership to shape ethical standards and ensure business initiatives align with federal and state laws while protecting organizational interests.
9. Vice President of Sales
VPs of Sales direct revenue strategy, enterprise account management, and sales-force performance, commonly within Tampa’s software, finance, and medical-device markets. They develop revenue goals, lead sales operations, expand market presence, and build high-performing teams. With Tampa’s expanding business ecosystem and influx of enterprise operations, they play a central role in scaling customer acquisition and retention. Success requires negotiation expertise, pipeline management, and strong leadership to drive sustainable revenue growth in competitive regional markets.
10. Vice President of Engineering
VPs of Engineering lead product development, systems engineering, R&D operations, and technical program execution — primarily within Tampa’s defense and cybersecurity sectors. They manage engineering teams, oversee innovation pipelines, and ensure successful delivery of mission-critical technology. Close collaboration with federal contractors and technical agencies is common. They also build future-proof engineering capabilities, prioritize system resilience, and drive technology excellence across aviation, defense, and advanced-manufacturing environments in Tampa’s strategically important engineering ecosystem.
11. Surgeon
Surgeons in Tampa — especially orthopedic, cardiovascular, and neurosurgical specialists — operate across major hospital networks and private practices. They treat complex conditions, perform critical procedures, and coordinate postoperative care. The city’s aging population and expanding hospital presence sustain high demand for surgical expertise. Surgeons collaborate with multidisciplinary medical teams, leverage advanced technology and robotics, and maintain rigorous standards in patient safety and outcomes. Their specialized skillset places them among Tampa’s highest-earning medical professionals.
12. Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists manage anesthesia delivery, pain control, and perioperative care for surgical, trauma, and emergency procedures across Tampa’s busy healthcare network. They ensure patient safety during operations, oversee sedation protocols, and support critical-care interventions. Tampa’s strong hospital infrastructure, high surgical volume, and growing population make anesthesiology a stable, lucrative specialty. These physicians collaborate closely with surgeons and nursing teams, monitor vital functions, and manage complex anesthesia plans to ensure optimal patient experiences and outcomes.
13. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform facial trauma repair, jaw reconstruction, dental implant surgery, and complex oral procedures. Many operate private practices, often generating strong revenue through elective procedures. Tampa’s population growth, cosmetic dentistry demand, and expanding outpatient surgical centers support income potential. These specialists require dual surgical and dental expertise, combining advanced medical training with precision surgical skills. Their work improves function, aesthetics, and long-term patient health outcomes across both medical and cosmetic cases.
14. Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists deliver clinical assessments, diagnose mental-health disorders, and provide medication-based treatment in hospitals, private clinics, and telemedicine practices. Tampa’s growing need for behavioral-health services — driven by population expansion and heightened mental-health awareness — fuels demand for psychiatric care. Psychiatrists often manage long-term treatment plans, collaborate with therapists and primary-care providers, and may specialize in addiction, geriatric, or child psychiatry. Private practice and tele-psychiatry also offer high-earning flexibility in this expanding healthcare field.
15. Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB/GYN)
OB/GYNs support women’s reproductive health, deliver babies, perform surgical procedures, and diagnose complex gynecological conditions. Tampa’s large family-oriented population and advanced hospital systems maintain strong demand for maternity and women’s health services. OB/GYNs provide routine screenings, prenatal and postnatal care, fertility support, and emergency interventions. They work in hospitals, private practices, and specialty clinics, balancing preventative care with high-acuity labor and delivery responsibilities. Reputation, patient relationships, and clinical expertise strongly influence income potential.
16. Emergency Medicine Physician
Emergency medicine physicians provide rapid diagnosis, trauma care, and life-saving treatment in Tampa’s busy emergency departments and trauma centers. They manage a wide spectrum of urgent medical conditions, from cardiac events to accidents, often under intense time pressure. Tampa’s mix of retirees, tourists, and active families drives high emergency-care needs. These physicians coordinate with specialists, triage critical cases, and ensure efficient patient flow. Their expertise supports hospital stability and community emergency-response readiness.
17. Radiologist
Radiologists interpret medical imaging, including X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasounds, to diagnose injuries and diseases across Tampa’s hospital and outpatient centers. They play a key role in early detection of cancer, cardiovascular issues, and orthopedic conditions. Many radiologists also perform interventional procedures. With technology-driven diagnostics expanding, radiologists collaborate closely with physicians to support clinical decisions and patient treatment plans. Tampa’s growing healthcare footprint and diagnostic-services demand ensure strong earnings and long-term role stability.
18. Dermatologist
Dermatologists diagnose and treat skin diseases, perform medical and cosmetic procedures, and manage long-term dermatological care. Tampa’s sunny climate increases demand for skin-cancer screening, making dermatology both a preventive and cosmetic specialty. Many dermatologists operate private practices offering elective services such as injectables, laser treatments, and aesthetic care. This combination of medical necessity and high-margin cosmetic demand creates lucrative earning potential within Tampa’s consumer-oriented healthcare environment.
19. Cardiologist
Cardiologists diagnose and treat heart disease, perform diagnostic testing, and support surgical cardiac teams. Tampa’s older population and rising cardiovascular-health awareness fuel high demand for cardiac specialists. Cardiologists manage chronic conditions, conduct interventions like angioplasty, and coordinate care plans with primary physicians and specialists. Their work prevents life-threatening conditions, improves long-term heart health, and supports major hospital programs. Cardiologists in Tampa benefit from strong patient volume, modern facilities, and comprehensive healthcare networks.
20. Urologist
Urologists treat urinary-tract disorders, prostate issues, kidney diseases, and male reproductive conditions. Tampa’s aging population and high prevalence of urological conditions support significant demand for specialized care. These physicians perform surgical and non-surgical treatments, manage chronic disorders, and provide preventative screenings. Many operate private practices or ambulatory surgical centers, enhancing earning potential. Urologists collaborate with nephrologists, oncologists, and primary-care providers to ensure comprehensive patient management across diverse clinical settings and treatment needs.
| Rank | Role | Category | Estimated Total Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chief Executive Officer (CEO) | C-Suite | $250K – $1M+ |
| 2 | Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | C-Suite | $250K – $1M+ |
| 3 | Chief Medical Officer | C-Suite / Healthcare | $250K – $900K+ |
| 4 | Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) | C-Suite / Healthcare | $220K – $600K+ |
| 5 | Chief Information Officer (CIO) | C-Suite | $250K – $700K+ |
| 6 | Chief Technology Officer (CTO) | C-Suite | $250K – $700K+ |
| 7 | Chief Operating Officer (COO) | C-Suite | $250K – $800K+ |
| 8 | Chief Legal Officer / General Counsel | C-Suite | $300K – $900K+ |
| 9 | VP of Sales | Executive | $200K – $600K+ |
| 10 | VP of Engineering | Executive / Defense | $200K – $550K+ |
| 11 | Surgeon (various specialties) | Physician | $400K – $700K+ |
| 12 | Anesthesiologist | Physician | $350K – $600K+ |
| 13 | Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon | Physician | $350K – $600K+ |
| 14 | Psychiatrist | Physician | $280K – $500K+ |
| 15 | OB/GYN | Physician | $280K – $450K+ |
| 16 | Emergency Medicine Physician | Physician | $280K – $450K+ |
| 17 | Radiologist | Physician | $350K – $600K+ |
| 18 | Dermatologist | Physician | $300K – $500K+ |
| 19 | Cardiologist | Physician | $400K – $700K+ |
| 20 | Urologist | Physician | $350K – $600K+ |
| 21 | Gastroenterologist | Physician | $400K – $700K+ |
| 22 | Oncologist | Physician | $350K – $550K+ |
| 23 | Hospital Administrator / CEO | Healthcare Admin | $250K – $600K+ |
| 24 | Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | Healthcare | $180K – $300K+ |
| 25 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $130K – $180K |
| 26 | Podiatrist | Healthcare | $150K – $300K+ |
| 27 | Optometrist (Owner) | Healthcare | $140K – $300K+ |
| 28 | Physician Assistant (Specialty) | Healthcare | $120K – $180K+ |
| 29 | Nurse Practitioner (Specialty) | Healthcare | $120K – $160K+ |
| 30 | Managing Director (IB/Wealth Mgmt) | Finance | $250K – $700K+ |
| 31 | Venture Capital Partner | Finance | $250K – $800K+ |
| 32 | Private Equity Associate / Principal | Finance | $200K – $450K+ |
| 33 | Portfolio Manager | Finance | $180K – $500K+ |
| 34 | FP&A Director | Finance | $160K – $250K+ |
| 35 | Actuary (FSA) | Finance | $150K – $300K+ |
| 36 | Tax Director | Finance | $160K – $280K+ |
| 37 | Management Consultant (Director) | Consulting | $160K – $300K+ |
| 38 | Law Firm Partner | Legal | $200K – $600K+ |
| 39 | Senior Litigation Attorney | Legal | $175K – $350K+ |
| 40 | Senior Corporate Attorney | Legal | $175K – $350K+ |
| 41 | Estate Planning Attorney | Legal | $160K – $300K+ |
| 42 | Director of Information Security / CISO | Technology | $180K – $350K+ |
| 43 | Principal Software Engineer | Tech / Defense | $150K – $300K+ |
| 44 | Cybersecurity Architect / Engineer | Tech | $140K – $250K+ |
| 45 | Systems Engineering Manager | Defense | $150K – $260K+ |
| 46 | Cloud Architect / Engineer | Tech | $135K – $230K+ |
| 47 | DevOps Manager | Tech | $140K – $230K+ |
| 48 | IT Director | Tech | $130K – $220K+ |
| 49 | Data Science Manager | Tech | $140K – $230K+ |
| 50 | Senior Data Scientist | Tech | $130K – $210K+ |
| Rank | Role | Category | Estimated Total Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Solutions Architect (Cloud) | Technology | $130K – $210K+ |
| 52 | Network Architect | Technology | $120K – $200K+ |
| 53 | Software Engineering Manager | Technology | $140K – $240K+ |
| 54 | Airline Pilot (Major Carrier Captain) | Aviation | $150K – $350K+ |
| 55 | Air Traffic Controller (Senior) | Aviation | $140K – $200K+ |
| 56 | Harbor Pilot / Ship Pilot | Maritime | $250K – $400K+ |
| 57 | Marine Engineer / Naval Architect (Senior) | Maritime / Engineering | $120K – $230K+ |
| 58 | Aviation Director / Airport Ops Manager | Aviation | $120K – $220K+ |
| 59 | Sales Director (Pharma / Med Device) | Sales | $150K – $260K+ |
| 60 | Enterprise Account Executive (Tech) | Sales | $150K – $300K+ |
| 61 | Pharmaceutical Sales Manager | Sales | $130K – $200K+ |
| 62 | Construction Project Manager (Large) | Construction | $120K – $200K+ |
| 63 | Real Estate Development Director | Real Estate | $150K – $300K+ |
| 64 | Commercial Real Estate Broker (Top) | Real Estate | $120K – $500K+ (Commission heavy) |
| 65 | Marketing Director | Corporate | $120K – $200K+ |
| 66 | Supply Chain Director | Corporate | $130K – $220K+ |
| 67 | Logistics Director | Corporate | $120K – $200K+ |
| 68 | Human Resources Director | Corporate | $120K – $190K+ |
| 69 | Talent Acquisition Director | Corporate | $120K – $190K+ |
| 70 | Compensation & Benefits Manager | Corporate | $110K – $180K+ |
| 71 | Senior Management Analyst | Corporate / Gov | $100K – $160K+ |
| 72 | Urban & Regional Planning Manager | Government | $95K – $150K+ |
| 73 | PR / Communications Director | Corporate | $110K – $180K+ |
| 74 | University Dean | Higher Education | $140K – $240K+ |
| 75 | University Professor (Tenured, Biz/Law/Med) | Higher Education | $100K – $200K+ |
| 76 | Principal Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $130K – $210K+ |
| 77 | Senior Mechanical Engineer (Aero/Defense) | Engineering | $120K – $200K+ |
| 78 | Civil Engineering Manager | Engineering | $120K – $200K+ |
| 79 | Structural Engineer (Principal) | Engineering | $120K – $200K+ |
| 80 | Petroleum Engineer (Specialty Remote) | Energy | $150K – $250K+ |
| 81 | Chemical Process Engineer (Senior) | Engineering / Pharma | $120K – $200K+ |
| 82 | Biomedical Engineer (Director) | Healthcare Tech | $120K – $200K+ |
| 83 | Environmental Engineering Manager | Engineering | $110K – $180K+ |
| 84 | Geotechnical Engineer (Principal) | Engineering | $120K – $200K+ |
| 85 | QA / QC Manager (Pharma / Manufacturing) | Industrial | $110K – $180K+ |
| 86 | Orthodontist / Dentist (Owner) | Medical Practice | $200K – $500K+ |
| 87 | Commercial Pilot (Private Jet) | Aviation | $120K – $250K+ |
| 88 | Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Lead) | Healthcare | $100K – $150K+ |
| 89 | Radiation Therapist | Healthcare | $100K – $150K+ |
| 90 | Elevator & Escalator Technician (Supervisor) | Skilled Trade | $100K – $180K+ |
| 91 | Power Plant Manager | Energy | $120K – $200K+ |
| 92 | Electrical Line Worker / Supervisor | Utilities | $95K – $170K+ |
| 93 | Commercial Diver (Underwater Welder) | Trade | $120K – $300K+ |
| 94 | HVAC Manager (Large Commercial) | Skilled Trade | $90K – $160K+ |
| 95 | Plumbing Manager (Commercial) | Skilled Trade | $90K – $160K+ |
| 96 | Construction Superintendent (Large) | Construction | $110K – $190K+ |
| 97 | Commercial Real Estate Appraiser | Real Estate | $100K – $200K+ |
| 98 | Funeral Home Director / Manager | Services | $90K – $160K+ |
| 99 | Farm Manager (Large Agribusiness) | Agriculture | $90K – $180K+ |
| 100 | Corporate Security Manager | Corporate | $90K – $160K+ |
Closing
Tampa’s job market proves that high-earning careers don’t exist only in traditional tech hubs. From surgeons and corporate executives to aviation professionals and skilled technical managers, the region rewards specialized expertise and leadership across multiple industries. With continued investment in healthcare infrastructure, financial services, cybersecurity, and defense technology, Tampa is emerging as a premier destination for ambitious professionals seeking strong income potential without the steep living costs of major coastal metros. For career growth, stability, and lifestyle balance, Tampa Bay remains one of Florida’s most compelling regions for top-tier talent.