Work: fashion and leather, tourism, pharmaceuticals, engineering
A two-speed economy: tourism employs a very high share of workers in retail, accommodation and catering, often on seasonal contracts; luxury fashion and leather (Florence-Scandicci), pharmaceuticals (Menarini, Eli Lilly), engineering (Nuovo Pignone-Baker Hughes) and the university offer skilled jobs. Employment rates above the national average.
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Manufacturing and fashion
Florence and Scandicci are Italy's luxury leather district: Gucci is headquartered in the city, Salvatore Ferragamo in via Tornabuoni, and dozens of international houses have workshops and craft schools in the area; Pitti Immagine organises the fashion fairs at the Fortezza da Basso. Pharmaceuticals include Menarini, headquartered in Florence, and Eli Lilly in Sesto Fiorentino; engineering has Nuovo Pignone-Baker Hughes (turbomachinery) with its historic base in the city; restoration and artistic crafts remain distinctive sectors, with the Opificio delle Pietre Dure as the reference school.
Tourism, public sector, digital
Tourism is the largest employer: hotels, catering, retail, guides and services absorb one of Italy's highest shares of workers, with often low pay and seasonality. The public sector (Tuscany Region, municipality, Metropolitan City, University, the Careggi and Meyer hospital trusts) is the second pillar; digital services and startups are growing around the Manifattura Tabacchi, Nana Bianca and Impact Hub, which also host the best-known coworking spaces.
Job market
The provincial employment rate is above the national average and unemployment is contained; the problem is the ratio between wages and housing costs. The Florence Chamber of Commerce publishes data and business services; employment centres are regional. English is an advantage in tourism, fashion and international programmes; Italian is needed almost everywhere else.
Missing: employment_rate, unemployment_rate
Sources
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Reviewed: 10/20/2026 · by piero.avolio · rev. 1 · Period: → 2027-04-30
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