The annual economic impact of aviation-related activity in Florida is estimated at $175 billion19 and its 19 commercial airports account for 10% of the nation’s total passenger traffic. As of 2021, Florida was home to 2,326 aerospace and aviation companies with more than 106,000 employees and an average salary of $79,206. Many of these companies are located in northwest Florida, which has become a center for aerospace and aviation activities, including research and development, testing, and training. Florida is home to 20 major military installations and more than 60,000 active duty military personnel, as well as a significant number of veterans, rocket scientists, machinists, pilots, and engineers. Florida’s aerospace and aviation companies have a tremendous number of skilled professionals.
No other state compares to Florida’s history in the aerospace industry, and it is uniquely positioned to remain a leader in the field for some time. Two of the ten active U.S. spaceports are located here: the Cape Canaveral Spaceport and Cecil Field Spaceport. Eight of the 24 licenses that allow private firms to launch rockets into space are issued from Florida facilities, further cementing its position as a leader in aerospace travel.
