This week in Tampa Bay: green energy, EV & manufacturing
Tampa Bay’s engineers land right around six figures. Electrical engineers earn a $102,110 median here, with materials ($100,850), industrial ($100,670) and mechanical engineers ($100,290) close behind. All four trail their national medians, electrical engineers by the widest margin, about $18,500.
The hands-on side of the industry is bigger than many people expect. The metro has 7,380 auto service technicians (median $47,880) and 2,770 industrial machinery mechanics ($60,970). Environmental scientists make $62,680 locally, roughly $19,500 under the U.S. figure, so compare benefits and pension plans along with the paycheck when you weigh public-sector offers.
Who’s hiring: Hillsborough County needs an Industrial Mechanic for its water and wastewater plants ($45,219–$86,320) and is hiring fleet technicians at $20.50 to $28 an hour to start. Tampa Electric wants a Solar Technician II to maintain its utility-scale solar plants (a high school diploma is the minimum), and Jabil is filling a lead quality engineer role in St. Petersburg.
Fastest way in: Erwin Technical College’s Master Automotive Service Technology program takes 20 months (1,800 hours) and costs an estimated $15,000; the next class starts in January 2027, and applications are open now. For factory automation, St. Petersburg College offers a 30-credit Mechatronics Certificate covering robotics, motors and controls, and programmable logic controllers.
Coming up: Mark Monday, Nov. 2, for the Tampa Bay Times Job & Career Fair, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore Airport, with free admission and parking. Studying environmental science? The Florida DEP is hiring part-time OPS Environmental Specialists in Temple Terrace at $18 an hour; apply by Nov. 1.
Top jobs in Tampa right now
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro estimates. Wind turbine technician and genetic counselor wages aren’t published for Tampa Bay, and BLS counts 460 environmental engineers in the metro but didn’t release a median wage, so those three are left out.
Who’s hiring in Tampa
- Hillsborough CountyIndustrial mechanic (all tiers), water & wastewater plants · $45,219–$86,320 · See opening
- Hillsborough CountyFleet technician (all tiers), Fleet Management · Starts at $20.50–$28/hr · See opening
- Tampa ElectricSolar technician II, utility-scale solar plants · Tampa · See opening
- JabilLead quality engineer · St. Petersburg · See opening
- Florida Department of Environmental ProtectionOPS environmental specialist I, part-time · Temple Terrace · $18/hr · Closes Nov 1 · See opening
Hiring for these roles? Get featured here.
Where to train near Tampa
- Erwin Technical CollegeMaster automotive service technology, 20 months (1,800 hours), est. $15,000 · Next class Jan 2027, applications open · Tampa · Learn more
- St. Petersburg CollegeMechatronics certificate, 30 credits: robotics, pneumatics, motors and controls, PLCs · Learn more
- Tampa Bay Times Job & Career FairFree · Mon, Nov 2, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. · Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore · Event details
Past updates
Week 5: Tampa Bay green energy, EV & manufacturing jobs
Local pay for eight of the nine new jobs (#36–44), openings at Hillsborough County, Tampa Electric and Jabil, auto and mechatronics training and the Nov. 2 career fair.
Week 4: Tampa Bay skilled trades & construction jobs
Local pay for all nine new trades jobs (#27–35), county and Duke Energy openings, tuition-free apprenticeships and two early-November job fairs.
Week 3: Tampa Bay tech & cybersecurity jobs
Local pay for all nine new tech jobs (#18–26), openings at Citi and Jabil, two cybersecurity associate degrees and the Nov. 2 Tampa Bay Times career fair.
Week 2: Tampa healthcare jobs
Tampa Bay pay for eight of the nine new healthcare jobs, plus employers hiring and PTA and sonography programs nearby.
Edition launch
Tampa Bay edition goes live with May 2025 local pay data for 7 of the first 8 jobs on the national list.
FAQ
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tampa for 2027?
Among the jobs on our 2027 list, computer and information systems managers ($168,470), database architects ($133,290) and computer network architects ($130,750) have the highest median pay in the Tampa Bay metro, based on BLS May 2025 data.
What jobs in Tampa don’t require a degree?
Several skilled trades. In Tampa Bay, elevator and escalator installers earn a $105,990 median and power-line installers earn $94,510, and electricians ($57,450) and plumbers ($52,000) learn through paid apprenticeships. Solar installers can also start with a high school diploma and on-the-job training (local median: $51,170, BLS May 2025).
Where can I study cybersecurity in Tampa Bay?
St. Petersburg College offers a fully online Cybersecurity A.S. that takes about two years, with an estimated total cost of $10,148 and preparation for certifications like CompTIA Security+. Hillsborough College has a 60-credit Cybersecurity A.S. at its Dale Mabry campus in Tampa. Information security analysts in the metro earn a $118,970 median (BLS, May 2025).
Are there free trade apprenticeships in Tampa Bay?
Yes. The Tampa Area Electrical JATC (IBEW Local 915) runs a tuition-free, four-year paid electrical apprenticeship; it accepts applications year-round, and classes start each January and July. Hillsborough College’s apprenticeships in HVACR, electrical, plumbing, pipefitting and carpentry, sponsored by ABC Florida Gulf Coast and IEC, charge no tuition or fees for classes, though you may buy your own tools and books. Electricians in the metro earn a $57,450 median (BLS, May 2025).
How do I become an auto technician in Tampa?
One route is Erwin Technical College’s Master Automotive Service Technology program in Tampa: 20 months (1,800 clock hours), an estimated $15,000, and preparation for ASE certification tests. You must be at least 18 with a valid Florida driver’s license, and the next class starts in January 2027. Tampa Bay’s 7,380 auto service technicians earn a $47,880 median (BLS, May 2025).
How often is this page updated?
Every week, alongside the national Hottest Jobs for 2027 list.
Jazzy, Founder of Always Working
Jazzy runs the Always Working Career Center, with local job hubs in Detroit and Tampa Bay.