Collier and Lee counties are in the midst of a more than half-million job growth spurt.
According to new data, Lee, which has the state’s eighth largest population, is projected to have added 299,864 workers from 2010 through 2045, putting it seventh in growth and resulting in overall employment of 584,489.
Coller, with Florida’s 19th most populous county, will have grown by 206,430 in the workforce in that time period. That’s good enough for the 10th biggest jump in the Sunshine State and a total of 376,713 by 2045, based on summer research by NUE Urban Concepts, which advises communities like Cape Coral on future planning.
Here’s what to know on that, the hottest jobs of the future and how a Southwest Florida agency is preparing.
What is the projected employment for Collier and Lee counties?
Florida Counties Ranked by Total Additional Employment (2010–2045)
County
2010 Employment
2021 Employment
2045 Employment
Total Growth (2010–2045)
1. Miami-Dade
1,414,370
1,904,048
2,803,607
1,389,237
2. Orange
822,557
1,164,463
1,931,351
1,108,794
3. Broward
976,643
1,292,622
1,998,454
1,021,811
4. Palm Beach
733,994
992,923
1,610,380
876,386
5. Hillsborough
751,462
1,010,824
1,408,625
657,163
6. Duval
565,477
719,098
1,038,679
473,202
7. Lee
284,625
405,241
584,489
299,864
8. Osceola
101,338
168,210
347,717
246,379
9. Seminole
217,211
295,117
448,587
231,376
10. Collier
170,283
239,815
376,713
206,430
How many new workers does Lee County need within five years?
And the needs are great for Southwest Florida businesses to fill lingering slots to keep up with the growth. That, paired with escalating vacancies this year due to factors such as retirement, employees changing professions and immigrants, legal or not, disappearing from the U.S. workforce at historic levels in this Alligator Alcratraz age. The latter alone totals 1.2 million January through July, according to federal data analyzed by the Pew Research Center.
“Southwest Florida depends on skilled workers in trades, healthcare, culinary and early childhood education to sustain our economy,” said John Talmage, director of the Lee County Economic Development Office. “Over the next three to five years, we’ll need 200,000 new workers to fill jobs or replace retirees.”
In the Know: South Fort Myers construction in the end of September 2025 at Gladiolus Drive and Pine Ridge Road of Heights CareerTech Institute. It’s expected to open in August 2026. More than $30.5 million has been raised for the $42 million technical education hub.
What new SWFL program is emerging to help on the jobs front?
That’s why programs like the Heights CareerTech Institute, which will be offering post-secondary career and technical education in Southwest Florida, are key, Talmage said.
“The Heights CareerTech Institute is a critical step in preparing the workforce that will keep our region strong,” he said of the effort led by The Heights Foundation and The Heights Center in Harlem Heights.
In the Know: South Fort Myers construction in the end of September 2025 at Gladiolus Drive and Pine Ridge Road of Heights CareerTech Institute. It’s expected to open in August 2026. More than $30.5 million has been raised for the $42 million technical education hub.
What $42M effort rising at Gladiolus Drive and Pine Ridge Road?
Creating a $42 million technical education hub, the future home of the institute known as HCTI is evolving at Gladiolus Drive and Pine Ridge Road in south Fort Myers, where walls are rising right now under Owen-Ames-Kimball’s tutelage.
With more than $30.5 million raised so far, the Heights Foundation inspiration stems from more than 66% of jobs in Florida requiring credentials beyond a diploma.
In the Know: South Fort Myers construction in the end of September 2025 at Gladiolus Drive and Pine Ridge Road of Heights CareerTech Institute. It’s expected to open in August 2026. More than $30.5 million has been raised for the $42 million technical education hub.
What has been termed today as the ‘toolbelt generation?’
Since not all high school graduates are college bound, HCTI’s goal is to provide a pathway from classrooms to careers by preparing what’s been termed as the “toolbelt generation” — students training in hands-on fields like construction, automotive, marine, culinary and healthcare.
In economically challenged Harlem Heights, the heavily immigrant neighborhood served by the foundation and Heights Center, family income is about 40% below the Lee County average, and the child poverty rate is more than twice as high.
In the Know: South Fort Myers construction in the end of September 2025 at Gladiolus Drive and Pine Ridge Road of Heights CareerTech Institute. It’s expected to open in August 2026. More than $30.5 million has been raised for the $42 million technical education hub.
What happened to Harlem Heights in Southwest Florida?
Originally a community of farmworkers, residents were left with fewer job opportunities as agricultural work faded, as my colleague Mickenzie Hannon has reported.
With a nearly 70% Hispanic population based on Census stats, young people there often lack access to affordable career training, making it hard to move beyond low-wage jobs, according to the foundation.
A rendering of the Heights CareerTech Institute’s exterior showcases the modern, two-story facility set to open in Harlem Heights.
When does the Heights CareerTech Institute open in SW Florida?
Still, the industry credentialed skills from HCTI will serve not only Harlem Heights adults, but all of Southwest Florida, helping to fill critical worker shortages.
Doors are expected to open in August 2026, and at full capacity, about 500 students per year will train at HCTI.
A project location poster shows the future site of the Heights CareerTech Institute at the corner of Gladiolus Drive and Pine Ridge Road in Harlem Heights.
$2.9 million expansion for 60-year-old Southwest Florida firm
Future opportunities could come at places like Crowther Roofing & Sheet Metal, which last week through LQ Commercial expanded its Fort Myers campus with a 30,000-square-foot industrial acquisition totaling $2.9 million. The 1.24-acre site with its two buildings at 2574 Rockfill Road is near the 60-year-old company’s five existing Crowther destinations, including a mechanical services building, electrical division, residential and commercial service departments, and its family-run main office.
Beyond jobs like roofing, such companies have general and operations managers, which will be the occupation for those with a bachelor’s degree that’s projected to have the most annual openings through at least 2034, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics September 2025 findings.
The roof of High Point Place in downtown Fort Myers is being replaced after it was damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017. The tallest of five buildings stand at 32 stories high and are the tallest buildings between Miami and Tampa. The roof on all the buildings are being replaced by Crowther Roofing.
What job requiring bachelor’s degree will have most openings?
The agency shed a little bit of light on where the future national needs are by determining occupations expected to have the most openings in the next decade and assigned to the education level that’s typically required for workers to enter.
Occupation (bachelor’s degree)
Occupational openings, projected 2024–34 annual average
Median annual wage, 2024
Typical work experience in a related occupation
308,700
$102,950
5 years or more
189,100
93,600
None
124,200
81,680
None
115,200
133,080
None
108,200
81,270
None
106,700
136,550
Less than 5 years
98,100
101,190
Less than 5 years
91,000
62,340
None
87,200
76,950
None
81,800
72,910
None
Patrice Holloway, right, of Bogue Chitto, Miss., uses her side mirror while running through a series of maneuvers in a tractor-trailer during training at Roadmaster Drivers School in Jackson, Miss., Friday, June 4, 2021. Holloway was in school to be a dental hygienist when she decided to make a career change. “I watched my daddy (be a truck driver), “Holloway said. “He’s excited. He’s all for it!”
Hot jobs for those with some post-secondary but not bachelor’s
Occupation
Occupational openings, projected 2024–34 annual average
Median annual wage, 2024
Typical education needed for entry
237,600
$57,440
Postsecondary nondegree award
204,100
39,530
Postsecondary nondegree award
170,400
35,240
Some college, no degree
170,000
49,210
Some college, no degree
112,300
44,200
Postsecondary nondegree award
75,800
35,250
Postsecondary nondegree award
70,000
49,670
Postsecondary nondegree award
65,500
37,120
Associate’s degree
54,400
62,340
Postsecondary nondegree award
52,900
47,300
Postsecondary nondegree award
Shadreka McIntosh, owner of Sozo Wellness Pharmacy, works on a prescription on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022, in Fort Myers.
What jobs will be most needed for those with graduate degrees?
Occupation
Occupational openings, projected 2024–34 annual average
Median annual wage, 2024
Typical education needed for entry
48,300
$59,190
Master’s degree
31,500
151,160
Doctoral or professional degree
31,000
65,140
Master’s degree
29,500
129,210
Master’s degree
27,400
105,620
Doctoral or professional degree
21,900
74,720
Master’s degree
20,800
104,070
Master’s degree
18,400
68,090
Master’s degree
15,100
103,960
Master’s degree
14,200
137,480
Doctoral or professional degree
In the Know: Buying SWFL golf club where crocodiles roam. Shalimar returns. Monster purchase
What are top jobs for those who just have a high school diploma?
Occupation
Occupational openings, projected 2024–34 annual average
Median annual wage, 2024
765,800
$34,900
341,700
42,830
282,400
43,630
202,800
46,290
183,900
42,010
161,000
38,370
160,200
32,050
159,800
48,620
156,300
42,210
144,500
66,140
Costly decision: Cape Coral puts in new mobility fees but well short of what is needed
What are top occupations for those with no formal education?
Occupation (no formal education)
Occupational openings, projected 2024–34 annual average
Median annual wage, 2024
904,300
$30,480
555,800
34,580
542,600
31,190
472,300
37,090
456,700
33,760
384,300
38,940
351,300
35,930
250,700
36,830
193,500
34,660
158,200
38,090
Writing In the Know for the USA TODAY Network, Columnist Phil Fernandez (pfernandez@gannett.com) grew up in Southwest Florida and has led Pulitzer Prize-winning efforts. Sign up for our free Breaking Ground growth and development newsletter. Subscribe to our News-Press and Naples Daily News apps.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Half-million more jobs for Lee and Collier counties. What’s expected?