Florida, home to a vibrant Latino community of more than 5.7 million, according to the 2023 Census, offers a variety of job opportunities for non-English speaking Spanish speakers.
From blue-collar jobs to service sector roles, immigrants can find stable employment. Below, we explore the most accessible jobs, their wages and immigration requirements in the context of 2025 policies.
Opportunities in the service sector
Restaurants in Florida, especially in Miami and Orlando, demand Spanish-speaking waiters and kitchen staff.
According to the Department of Labor, bartenders earn an average of $14 per hour, but tips can raise daily earnings to between $200 and $500.
These jobs do not require fluent English, as many businesses cater to Latino customers.
Other roles, such as event assistants or bilingual receptionists, offer salaries of $16 to $20 per hour, according to Indeed data.
Manual and agricultural work
For its part, agriculture continues to be a mainstay for Hispanics in Florida.
Citrus and vegetable harvesting in areas such as Homestead employs thousands of workers, with wages of $12 to $16 per hour, according to the Department of Agriculture.
These jobs, which include tasks such as planting or harvesting, do not require English, but demand prolonged physical effort.
Construction, another accessible sector, offers roles such as bricklayer or helper with similar salaries, according to seasonaljobs.dol.gov.
Drivers and other trades
Consequently, driving jobs, such as truck drivers or delivery drivers, are ideal for Spanish speakers.
In Florida, truck drivers earn an average of $30 per hour, with medical benefits, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Trades such as locksmiths or janitors, which require little verbal interaction, pay between $15 and $18 per hour.
These positions are typically available in urban areas such as Tampa and Jacksonville, where the Latino community is significant.
The importance of tips
On the other hand, restaurant jobs are notable for tips, which are not taxable under certain conditions, according to the Fair Labor Standards Act.
In tourist cities like Miami, a waiter can double his base salary with tips, reaching weekly earnings of up to $1,500, according to Glassdoor.
This economic attractiveness drives demand for these roles among Hispanics, especially those with temporary work permits.
Migratory requirements
However, working legally in the U.S. requires a work permit (EAD) or an appropriate visa, such as the H-2A for agriculture or the H-2B for non-agricultural jobs, according to USCIS.
In 2025, an additional 20,000 H-2B visas were allocated for countries such as Mexico, Guatemala and Colombia, according to DHS.
Applicants need a prior job offer, and the employer must file a labor certification with the Department of Labor.
Without these documents, workers face the risk of deportation.
Challenges of manual jobs
However, manual jobs such as farming or cleaning are less attractive to Americans due to physical conditions and lower wages.
In Florida, farmworkers face days of up to 10 hours in the sun, averaging $13 per hour, according to Farmworker Justice.
These conditions, along with the lack of benefits such as health insurance, discourage many, leaving these positions open to immigrants.
Educational opportunities
In addition, Spanish speakers with teaching experience can work as Spanish teachers in Florida schools.
These jobs, which do not always require advanced English, pay between $40,000 and $60,000 a year, according to the Florida Department of Education.
The J-1 visa, intended for educational exchange programs, facilitates access to these positions, with 3,000 visas granted to Latino teachers in 2024, according to the State Department.
Community resources
To find employment, visit portals such as seasonaljobs.dol.gov or CareerOneStop, or contact the American Job Centers at 1-877-872-5627.
Organizations such as the National Day Laborer Network (1-844-321-0027) offer support to migrant workers.
With the Trump administration’s immigration policies in 2025, securing a work permit is crucial to take advantage of these job opportunities.
This article was originally published in Nueva News.
