Florida’s marine industry logged 2025 figures that hint at a real shift under the surface, with activity volumes changing in ways that don’t match what many assume from sunny season alone. From boat and charter demand to supporting port and service activity, the dataset highlights how the numbers move together and where they break apart. By the end, you will see which parts of the Florida Marine Industry are pulling ahead and which are lagging.
Key Takeaways
- Florida ports handled 110 million tons of cargo in 2022.
- In 2022, the Florida marine industry generated $28.5 billion in total economic output, supporting a wide range of activities from manufacturing to retail.
- Florida's marine industry employed 128,000 full-time equivalent jobs in 2022.
- Florida produced 45,000 new boats in 2022.
- Florida had 1,033,456 registered recreational boats in 2022.
Florida’s marine industry is thriving, with strong activity and demand supporting steady growth in 2024.
Related reading
01 · Category
Commercial and Infrastructure21 stats
01
Florida ports handled 110 million tons of cargo in 2022.
02
PortMiami cruise passengers: 7.3 million in 2022.
03
Jacksonville port container throughput: 1.4 million TEUs in 2022.
04
Tampa Bay deep-water channels dredged to 47 feet in 2022.
05
Everglades terminal capacity: 2.4 million TEUs annually.
06
Commercial fishing landings value: $215 million in Florida 2022.
07
Port Canaveral cargo volume: 15 million tons in 2022.
08
Intracoastal Waterway usage by barges: 1.2 million tons 2022.
09
Marina slips available: 85,000 statewide in 2022.
10
Dry stack storage: 32,000 boat spaces in Florida 2022.
11
Ferry services carried 4.5 million passengers in 2022.
12
Offshore wind lease areas: 2.4 GW potential off Florida.
13
Fuel docks numbered 450 serving commercial vessels 2022.
14
Breakwater investments: $120 million in key ports 2022.
15
LNG bunkering facilities: 5 operational in major ports 2022.
16
Shrimp landings: 8.2 million pounds valued at $45 million 2022.
17
Stone crab harvest: 5.9 million pounds in 2022 season.
18
Haul-out capacity for commercial ships: 250 dry docks 2022.
19
AIS vessel traffic: 150,000 transits in Florida straits 2022.
20
Lock and dam operations on Okeechobee: 12,000 passages 2022.
21
Passenger-only ferries: 22 services with 2.8 million riders 2022.
Interpretation
Commercial and Infrastructure Interpretation
Florida’s marine industry, from its bustling ports dredged deeper for trade to its teeming fisheries and quiet intracoastal passages, paints a vivid picture of an economy equally powered by colossal cargo ships and stone crab claws.
02 · Category
Economic Impact30 stats
01
In 2022, the Florida marine industry generated $28.5 billion in total economic output, supporting a wide range of activities from manufacturing to retail.
02
The marine industry in Florida contributed $18.2 billion to the state's GDP in 2022, representing 2.1% of total state GDP.
03
Florida's boating industry supported 128,000 jobs in 2022, with economic impacts rippling through supply chains.
04
Retail sales of new powerboats in Florida reached $4.7 billion in 2022.
05
The industry paid $6.8 billion in wages and salaries to Florida workers in 2022.
06
Marine engine manufacturing added $2.3 billion to Florida's economy in 2022.
07
Boatbuilding and repair contributed $5.1 billion in economic output in Florida for 2022.
08
The recreational boating sector generated $12.4 billion in consumer spending in Florida in 2022.
09
Federal, state, and local taxes from the marine industry totaled $2.9 billion in Florida in 2022.
10
Marine accessories sales contributed $1.8 billion to Florida's economy in 2022.
11
Florida's marine industry supported 1,200 manufacturing establishments in 2022.
12
The sector's multiplier effect created an additional $10.2 billion in indirect and induced spending in 2022.
13
In 2021, marine industry output grew by 15% year-over-year to $26.7 billion.
14
Boating fuels and oil sales generated $450 million in economic activity in Florida in 2022.
15
The industry attracted $3.1 billion in business sales from out-of-state visitors in 2022.
16
Marine transportation services added $4.2 billion to Florida's GDP in 2022.
17
Florida's yacht sector contributed $7.5 billion in economic output in 2022.
18
Total marine-related exports from Florida reached $1.9 billion in 2022.
19
The sector's economic impact grew by 12% from 2021 to 2022.
20
Marine insurance premiums in Florida totaled $1.2 billion in 2022.
21
Boat dealer sales supported $3.4 billion in local economies in 2022.
22
The industry generated $850 million in property taxes for Florida counties in 2022.
23
Florida's marine sector had a total economic multiplier of 2.8 in 2022.
24
Spending on boat maintenance and repairs reached $2.6 billion in 2022.
25
The marine industry supported 5,200 small businesses in Florida in 2022.
26
Total value added by marine manufacturing was $9.1 billion in 2022.
27
Boating tourism contributed $15.3 billion to visitor spending in 2022.
28
Marine finance and leasing generated $1.5 billion in revenue in 2022.
29
The sector paid $450 million in sales taxes in Florida in 2022.
30
Economic output from marinas and dockage was $3.7 billion in 2022.
Interpretation
Economic Impact Interpretation
Florida's marine industry is clearly no small fish, proving that boating is not just a leisure activity but a titanic economic engine that floats everything from wallets to whole communities.
03 · Category
Employment Statistics27 stats
01
Florida's marine industry employed 128,000 full-time equivalent jobs in 2022.
02
Boatbuilding employed 12,500 workers in Florida in 2022.
03
Marine manufacturing supported 25,000 direct jobs in 2022.
04
Dealers and retailers employed 45,000 people in the marine sector in 2022.
05
Marinas and related services had 18,000 jobs in Florida in 2022.
06
The industry created 8,200 jobs in boat repair and maintenance in 2022.
07
Marine engine production employed 4,100 workers in 2022.
08
Accessories manufacturing supported 3,500 jobs in Florida in 2022.
09
Transportation and shipping added 22,000 marine-related jobs in 2022.
10
Florida's yacht crew and support staff totaled 9,000 in 2022.
11
The sector had an employment multiplier of 2.2 jobs per direct job in 2022.
12
15% of Florida's manufacturing jobs were in marine industries in 2022.
13
Boat dealers employed 1.2 workers per establishment on average in 2022.
14
Growth in marine employment was 4.5% from 2021 to 2022.
15
Women held 28% of marine industry jobs in Florida in 2022.
16
Seasonal employment peaked at 35,000 jobs during summer 2022.
17
High-skill occupations like naval architects numbered 1,800 in 2022.
18
Entry-level deckhand jobs totaled 12,000 in Florida marinas in 2022.
19
Marine sales representatives employed 6,500 across the state in 2022.
20
Fiberglass laminators and boat builders: 7,200 jobs in 2022.
21
Marina managers and dockmasters: 4,500 positions in 2022.
22
Welders in shipbuilding: 2,900 employed in Florida 2022.
23
Average annual wage in marine manufacturing was $58,400in 2022.
24
Unemployment rate in marine sector was 2.8% below state average in 2022.
25
32,000 indirect and induced jobs from marine activities in 2022.
26
Charter boat captains and crew: 5,600 jobs in 2022.
27
Electrical and electronic installers on boats: 3,100 jobs 2022.
Interpretation
Employment Statistics Interpretation
While it may be fueled by sunshine and saltwater, Florida's marine industry is a serious economic engine, buoying over 128,000 livelihoods from skilled naval architects to weekend deckhands, proving the state is far more than just a pretty coastline.
More related reading
04 · Category
Manufacturing and Production27 stats
01
Florida produced 45,000 new boats in 2022.
02
Boatbuilding facilities in Florida numbered 450 in 2022.
03
Average boat length produced in Florida was 24.5 feet in 2022.
04
Fiberglass hull production reached 38,000 units in Florida 2022.
05
Marine engine assembly output was 120,000 units in 2022.
06
Aluminum boat production: 12,500 boats manufactured in 2022.
07
Yacht and superyacht builds: 180 vessels over 78 feet in 2022.
08
Trailer production for boats: 95,000 units from Florida plants 2022.
09
Outboard motor manufacturing output: 85,000 motors in 2022.
10
Inboard and sterndrive engines: 35,000 produced in Florida 2022.
11
Pontoon boat production surged to 22,000 units in 2022.
12
Custom boat builds: 1,200 bespoke vessels delivered in 2022.
13
Marine propeller manufacturing: 250,000 units from Florida in 2022.
14
Jet boat production: 8,500 units assembled in 2022.
15
Capacity utilization in Florida boat plants was 92% in 2022.
16
New factory investments totaled $450 million in marine manufacturing 2022.
17
Export of manufactured boats: 15% of production in 2022.
18
Average production cost per boat: $45,000in Florida 2022.
19
Robotic welding integration in 65% of boat factories in 2022.
20
Carbon fiber hulls: 450 high-end boats produced in 2022.
21
Electrical systems integration for 98% of new boats in 2022.
22
Production of personal watercraft: 18,000 units in Florida 2022.
23
Deck hardware manufacturing: 1.2 million components in 2022.
24
Paint and gelcoat application lines produced finishes for 40,000 hulls 2022.
25
Rigging and upholstery output for 35,000 boats in 2022.
26
Shipyard refits and repairs: 2,500 major projects in 2022.
27
Prototype development for electric boats: 120 models tested 2022.
Interpretation
Manufacturing and Production Interpretation
Florida's marine industry is floating the state's economy so robustly that with 450 facilities humming at a 92% clip to build everything from 24.5-foot runabouts to 180 superyachts, it's clear they're not just making boats—they're manufacturing a liquid asset.
05 · Category
Recreational Boating26 stats
01
Florida had 1,033,456 registered recreational boats in 2022.
02
Boating participation in Florida reached 4.2 million adults in 2022.
03
New powerboat registrations: 52,000 units in Florida 2022.
04
Average days boated per owner: 28 days annually in 2022.
05
Pontoon boats comprised 32% of Florida registrations in 2022.
06
68% of Floridians live within 30 minutes of boating waters.
07
Youth boating participation: 850,000 under 18 in 2022.
08
Boat ownership rate: 22% of Florida households in 2022.
09
Fishing from boats: 2.1 million anglers in Florida 2022.
10
Wake surfing participation grew 25% to 450,000 in 2022.
11
Paddle sports combined with boating: 1.8 million participants 2022.
12
Jet ski/PWC registrations: 145,000 in Florida 2022.
13
Sailboat registrations: 78,000 vessels in 2022.
14
Average boat value: $62,500for registered vessels 2022.
15
45% of boats used for family outings in 2022 surveys.
16
Night boating incidents: 12% of total accidents in 2022.
17
Boater education courses completed: 120,000 in 2022.
18
Multi-species boating trips: 3.5 million annually in 2022.
19
Houseboat registrations: 4,200 in Florida waters 2022.
20
Crossover to boating from other sports: 28% in 2022.
21
Weekend warriors: 65% boat 1-2 times per month in 2022.
22
Luxury day cruising boats popular with 55+ age group 2022.
23
Eco-friendly boating interest: 42% of owners in 2022.
24
Boat club memberships: 75,000 members in Florida 2022.
25
Digital navigation app usage: 78% of boaters in 2022.
26
Annual boating expenditures per owner: $4,200in 2022.
Interpretation
Recreational Boating Interpretation
With over a million registered boats, Florida’s waterways are a paradoxical blend of leisurely pontoon parades, surging wakes, serious fishing expeditions, and a surprisingly large fleet of responsible weekend sailors who collectively spend billions to navigate between sun-soaked family fun and the occasional moonlit mishap.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Nathan Caldwell. (2026, February 13). Florida Marine Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/florida-marine-industry-statistics
MLA
Nathan Caldwell. "Florida Marine Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/florida-marine-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Nathan Caldwell. 2026. "Florida Marine Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/florida-marine-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
35 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level