In 2024, Orlando’s healthcare sector has hit a remarkable milestone – with over 193,100 professionals working in private healthcare and education services. That’s 12.8% of our total workforce, making healthcare one of the biggest employment sectors in Central Florida.
Two major healthcare systems lead the way. AdventHealth employs 37,672 people across its facilities, while Orlando Health brings 24,978 jobs to our region. Together, these two organizations account for more than 62,000 local jobs – from nurses and doctors to administrative staff and specialists.
The numbers paint a clear picture of growth. Despite economic challenges in other sectors, healthcare added 1,700 new jobs between November 2023 and 2024. This 0.9% increase shows the industry’s strength, especially when you consider major expansions like Raremed’s 200-job growth and Wesley Pharmaceuticals’ addition of 255 positions in the past year alone.
Employment Overview
Healthcare jobs make up 12.8% of all employment in Orlando, with over 193,100 workers in private education and healthcare services as of November 2024. The sector added 1,700 jobs between November 2023 and November 2024, showing a 0.9% growth.
These numbers become more meaningful when we look at the monthly trends. In late 2024, private education and healthcare services showed consistent growth, with employment increasing from 192,600 in October to 193,100 in November – a 0.3% monthly gain. This steady upward trend stands out when other industries like manufacturing saw declines.
What’s particularly striking is the healthcare sector’s stability compared to Orlando’s overall employment picture. While retail trade dropped 1.0% and manufacturing fell 2.5% year-over-year, healthcare maintained positive growth at 0.9%.
| Month 2024 | Healthcare & Education Employment | Monthly Change | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 193,100 | +0.3% | +0.9% |
| October | 192,600 | +0.7% | +0.8% |
| September | 191,300 | +0.5% | +0.7% |
| August | 190,400 | +0.4% | +0.6% |
| July | 189,600 | +0.3% | +0.5% |
| June | 189,000 | +0.2% | +0.4% |
Source: Florida Department of Commerce, Current Employment Statistics (CES) – Updated December 2024
The employment data reveals healthcare’s position as one of the most reliable job sectors in Orlando. While tourism and hospitality employ more people (292,300 workers), healthcare offers more stable employment patterns with less seasonal variation. The sector’s continued growth through 2024 suggests strong fundamentals and ongoing demand for healthcare services in our region.
Major Healthcare Employers
When we look at Orlando’s healthcare employment landscape, two organizations stand out. AdventHealth and Orlando Health together employ over 62,000 people, making them not just healthcare leaders but among the largest employers in Central Florida.
AdventHealth leads with 37,672 employees and maintains its corporate headquarters here in Orlando. Orlando Health follows with 24,978 employees. These numbers show the massive scale of healthcare operations in our area.
But it’s not just about the big two. Our healthcare ecosystem includes several other major employers that bring specialized care and thousands of jobs to the region.
| Healthcare Organization | Employees | Type of Organization | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| AdventHealth System | 37,672 | Healthcare System/HQ | Orlando |
| Orlando Health | 24,978 | Healthcare System/HQ | Orlando |
| HCA Healthcare | 4,831 | Regional Hospital | Orlando |
| Nemours Children’s Hospital | 2,300 | Children’s Hospital | Orlando |
| Consulate Health Care LLC | 2,215 | Senior Housing and Care | Maitland |
| Osceola Regional Medical Center | 2,190 | Major Medical Center | Kissimmee |
| Aspire Health Partners Inc. | 1,188 | Behavioral Healthcare | Orlando |
| Central Florida Health Alliance | 715 | Hospital System | Lady Lake |
| Orlando VA Medical Center | * | VA Hospital | Orlando |
Source: Orlando Economic Partnership, Updated January 2025
These numbers reflect verified employment data as of early 2025, showing that healthcare remains one of the most significant employment sectors in Orlando. The presence of multiple large healthcare employers creates a competitive job market, which often leads to better wages and opportunities for healthcare professionals in our area.
Healthcare Subsectors
The Orlando healthcare industry isn’t just about hospitals – it’s a complex network of specialized providers and support services. Let’s break down how our healthcare workforce is distributed across different types of care.
Hospital Systems & Medical Centers
Our major hospital networks form the backbone of local healthcare employment, with over 69,000 employees. Beyond direct patient care, these organizations bring corporate jobs through their headquarters operations:
- AdventHealth and Orlando Health run their corporate operations from Orlando
- HCA Healthcare maintains significant regional operations
- Nemours brings specialized pediatric care expertise
Specialty Care Providers
The specialty care sector shows the depth of Orlando’s healthcare offerings:
| Specialty Provider | Focus Area | Employment | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspire Health Partners | Behavioral Health | 1,188 | Orlando |
| AcariaHealth Pharmacy | Complex Disease Care | 700 | Orlando |
| Central Florida Health Alliance | Regional Hospital System | 715 | Lady Lake |
| Walmart Specialty Pharmacy | Specialty Pharmaceuticals | 520 | Orlando |
| Invacare | Home Care | 300 | Sanford |
| AssistRx | Specialty Pharma Software | 287 | Orlando |
| Xymogen Inc | Medical Foods | 252 | Orlando |
| Compass Research | Clinical Research | 235 | Orlando |
| BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy | Disease Therapy | 166 | Altamonte Springs |
Source: Orlando Economic Partnership Life Sciences & Healthcare Employers Report, Updated July 2024
Research & Innovation
Orlando’s healthcare sector includes a growing research component:
- Clinical research facilities conducting multi-therapeutic studies
- Medical device manufacturers
- Specialty pharmaceutical developers
- Healthcare technology companies
This mix of providers shows Orlando’s evolution into a comprehensive healthcare hub. The variety of subsectors creates career paths ranging from direct patient care to research and development, healthcare technology, and corporate administration.
Growth and Expansion
The healthcare sector in Orlando shows strong momentum through 2024, with multiple companies expanding their operations. Our tracking of major announcements reveals over 500 new healthcare jobs announced in just the third quarter of 2024.
Here’s a detailed look at recent healthcare industry growth in our region:
| Company | Type of Operation | Jobs Added | Date Announced | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charter Research | Specialty Pharma | 70 | September 2024 | Orlando |
| Raremed | Specialty Pharma | 200 | September 2024 | Orlando |
| Wesley Pharmaceuticals | Specialty Pharma | 255 | August 2024 | Orlando |
| FreedomCare | Healthcare Call Center | 142 | February 2022 | Various |
| Village MD | Healthcare Center | 411 | October 2022 | Multiple |
| CMT Solutions | Healthcare Services | 130 | August 2022 | Orlando |
| Applied Ingenuity Diagnostics | Healthcare Center | 20 | June 2022 | Orlando |
Source: Orlando Economic Partnership Relocations & Expansions Report, Updated January 2025
What’s particularly interesting about this growth is its diversity. We’re seeing expansion across different healthcare segments:
- Clinical research facilities
- Specialty pharmaceutical companies
- Healthcare service providers
- Medical technology firms
The largest single expansion came from Village MD, creating 411 jobs across multiple locations. This follows a pattern we’re seeing of healthcare companies choosing Orlando for regional expansion, taking advantage of our growing population and skilled workforce.
These numbers tell us something important about Orlando’s healthcare sector: it’s not just growing – it’s diversifying. Each new announcement brings different types of healthcare jobs, from research positions to direct patient care roles.
Economic Impact
Orlando’s healthcare sector proves its economic strength through stable growth and high wages. Looking at the latest data from late 2024, healthcare workers earn an average weekly wage of $1,095.07 – that’s 8.5% higher than the same time last year.
Let’s put these numbers in context with a detailed look at the industry’s economic impact:
| Economic Indicator | Healthcare & Education | Orlando Overall | Healthcare Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Employment | 193,100 | 1,506,400 | 12.8% of workforce |
| Annual Job Growth | +0.9% | +1.2% | Stable growth |
| New Jobs (2023-2024) | 1,700 | 18,500 | 9.2% of new jobs |
| Weekly Wage | $1,095.07 | Market average | Above market rate |
| Job Postings Q3 2024 | Top 3 employers: AdventHealth, Orlando Health, HCA | 61,500 total postings | Major share of hiring |
Source: Orlando Economic Partnership Market Update & Labor Statistics, December 2024
The healthcare sector’s economic stability shows in other ways too:
- While retail dropped 1.0% and manufacturing fell 2.5%, healthcare grew 0.9%
- Healthcare job postings stayed strong through 2024
- Major employers like AdventHealth and Orlando Health ranked as top job posters every month in Q3 2024
These statistics paint a picture of healthcare as a key economic driver in Orlando. With consistent growth and above-average wages, the sector provides economic stability for thousands of local families while supporting the region’s overall economic health.
2025 Outlook for Orlando Healthcare
Based on the latest data from Orlando Economic Partnership’s reports, here’s what we can expect in 2025:
The job market shows clear signs of stability. With healthcare employment at 193,100 and growing 0.9% year-over-year in 2024, we’re likely to see continued steady growth. The numbers tell us why:
- Average weekly wages rose 8.5% in 2024
- Job postings stayed strong through Q3 2024
- Multiple companies announced expansions in late 2024
Recent company moves point to a positive 2025:
- Charter Research’s 70 new positions
- Raremed’s 200-job expansion
- Wesley Pharmaceuticals’ 255-job growth
What stands out in the data is healthcare’s resilience compared to other sectors. While retail dropped 1.0% and manufacturing fell 2.5% in 2024, healthcare maintained positive growth. This pattern suggests healthcare will keep providing stable employment through 2025.
Major healthcare employers like AdventHealth (37,672 employees) and Orlando Health (24,978 employees) continue to dominate local job postings. Their ongoing hiring needs indicate strong employment opportunities through 2025.
But there’s more to watch. The specialty healthcare sector shows particular promise. With companies like Aspire Health Partners (1,188 employees) and newer entrants like Raremed expanding, we’ll likely see more specialized healthcare jobs in 2025.
The data suggests Orlando’s healthcare sector will maintain its position as a key economic driver in 2025, with steady growth in both employment and wages.
