Tampa Bay’s top industries

Top industries and employers in the Tampa Bay area

We’re sure this upcoming year will be as newsy as ever. | Photo via @growgavan

Around 200,000 people (and thousands of businesses) contribute to the Tampa metro area’s $200 billion economy. But have you ever wondered about Cigar City’s heaviest hitters?

Consider today’s newsletter, Tampa Bay Business 101 — your guide to our region’s key industries and major employers.

Note: When we say Tampa metro area, that refers to just Tampa, not St. Pete.

The Key Industries

There are five key industries that represent Tampa’s economy, based on data from Tampa’s Economic Development Council. The order is not based on employment numbers.

Defense and Security

Tampa Bay is a defense hub, offering tons of access to chief military assets and a military-friendly business community. MacDill Air Force Base, the largest employer in Hillsborough County, calls Tampa home. It adds more than 15,000 highly-trained military and civilian personnel to the talent pipeline.

Information Technology

Tech in Tampa has been on the up for at least a decade, adding over 10,000 jobs from 2015 to 2020. The city leads the state in high-wage STEM careers and has quickly become an international epicenter for IT companies.

Financial and Professional Services

Did you know Tampa is widely considered the Wall Street of the South? Nearly one in four business and information services firms in Florida are right here.

Life Sciences and Healthcare

Life sciences and healthcare employment typically fare better than the whole US job market, seeing a growth of 15% in the past five years compared to the national average of 12%.

Manufacturing, Distribution and logistics

The strength of the twelfth largest port in the country, Port Tampa Bay, and the Tampa International Airport help the city sit comfortably as a national leader in supply chain management.

POLL/QUIZ/QUESTION

Test your business knowledge: Which company employs the most people globally?
A. Amazon
B. McDonalds
C. Walmart
D. Starbucks

See the answer in the Wrap.

CAST YOUR VOTE

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Today

MEMBERS MINGLE | Wednesday, October 26 | 6-8 p.m. | Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg | Price included in membership | Bring a friend to enjoy this Halloween-themed happy hour with complimentary drinks, live music, light appetizers, and the company of fellow members.
Paint and Sip Fall Edition with Practically Pikasso | Friday, October 26 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Armature Works, 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa | $25.00 | Join local Artist Lynn “Practically Pikasso” to create a custom painted fall-inspired wine glass artwork.

Thursday, Oct. 27

Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics | Friday, October 27 | 6:30-7:35 p.m. | Centro Asturiano de Tampa, 1913 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa | $35.00 | Discover Halloween inspired music at Centro Asturiano de Tampa under the gentle glow of candlelight.
Mónica Guzmán: I Never Thought of It That Way | Friday, Oct. 27 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Florida Humanities, 599 2nd St. S., St. Petersburg | Free | Journalist and author Mónica Guzmán discusses her new book, “I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times.

Friday, Oct. 28

Florida Humanities Director’s Book Club: “On The Road” by Jack Kerouac | Friday, October 28 | 7-9 p.m. | The Jack Kerouac House of St. Petersburg, 5169 10th Ave. N., St. Petersburg | Free | Taking place at Kerouac’s home, Florida Humanities Executive Director Nashid Madyun and retired literature professor, Dr. Ken Burchenal, will explore Kerouac’s life in Florida and more.
Truffaut’s Antoine Doinel Films - Mini Festival | Friday, October 28 | 7 p.m. | Charlene Gordon Theatre - Ferman Center for the Arts, 214 N. Blvd., Tampa | Join film lovers for a “Mini Film Festival” style screening of The Adventures of Antoine Doinel by François Truffaut.

Saturday

Yoga in the Courtyard: A Spooky Season Practice | Saturday, October 29 | 9-10 a.m. | Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg | $5.00 | Dress in costume and join author Vanessa Autrey for a yoga session with focused intention and mindful movements.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

82º | Partly Cloudy | 16% chance of rain

Sunrise + sunset

Rise: 7:37 a.m.
Set: 6:51 p.m.

Tide
Old Tampa Bay

High: 3:50 a.m. + 5:45 p.m.
Low: 11:12 a.m. + 10:20 p.m.

Clearwater Beach

High: 1:27 p.m.
Low: 6:52 a.m. + 6:38 p.m.

Seasonal

Passes are on sale for Tampa Bay’s winter wonderland Snowcat Ridge. The park is complete with a 60-ft. tall, 400-ft. long tubing slope, an ice skating ribbon, and more. ❄ (WFLA)

Development

Home furniture + decor chain Ballard Designs is on the move — to the bottom floor of The Loft in Midtown Tampa. It will vacate its current home at the International Plaza in 2023. 🛋️ (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Award

WalletHub named Tampa one of the top cities to celebrate Halloween. The study used pumpkin patches per capita, the number of candy shops in town, and the forecasted Halloween precipitation as part of its selection process. 🎃 (That’s So Tampa)

Active

St. Pete Run Fest is back with a flock of new events from Nov. 11-13. The St. Pete Half Marathon runs through DTSP. Plus, there’s a 10K, a 5K, and a kid’s race. 👟

Show

One of the world’s most romantic voices is back for his Valentine’s Tour. Andrea Bocelli plays Amalie Arena Feb. 16. Tickets go on sale Oct. 31. ❤️‍🔥
Move over, Dorthy. The Broadway sensation, “Wicked,” is making its return to the Straz Center. The triumphant story follows the witches of Oz. Tickets go on sale Oct. 31. 🎭

Shop

Tampa’s Toffee To Go once made Oprah’s Favorite Things list. Now, they’re delivering their buttery, crunchy confections nationally. Lisa and Jim Schalk talk about the growth of their boomin’ business here. (Tampa Bay Times)
Get some early holiday shopping in or treat yourself — select Kate Spade products are up to 60% off on Zulily. Save ~$80 on this timeless black leather satchel or snag this vibrant rose-hued crossbody for $184.99 (down from $299). 👜*

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Tampa Bay’s major employers

Biggest Businesses in the Bay

Tampa is constantly growing with new industries and businesses that contribute significantly to our $200 billion economy. So when we told you about our guide to the region’s five key industries, we knew we’d also have to tell you about some of the city’s major employers.

🖥 Jabil

~238,000 employees | Manufacturing | Search jobs

Jabil is a global manufacturing company that creates semiconductors and other tech components for everything from your mobile phone to automotive safety technology.

💵 Raymond James Financial

~20,000 employees | Finance | Search jobs

RJF offers financial guidance and planning to individual investors and families. In 2021, it hit $1 trillion in assets.

🧅 Bloomin’ Brands

~77,000 employees | Restaurant | Search jobs

Bloomin’ Brands is the parent company of Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, and Bonefish Grill.

Honorable Mentions: Fisher, Cisco, IBM, and Primo Water

This information is derived from the most recent data published by Tampa’s Economic Development Council.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Brad

Editor’s pick: Hey, we’re still on the lookout for the best Tampa Bay-themed Halloween costumes. I really want to see someone doing their best Tom Brady. Send us your best pics here. 👻

P.S. If you missed it, Walmart was the correct answer. 🤙

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Jam out to 20 local concerts, here.

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Editorial: Bailey LeFever, Brad Haft, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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