SingleMothers.us
Flexible jobs for single mothers in Florida
Florida’s minimum wage has just reached $15.00, and its School Readiness and VPK programs shape the hours a working parent can take.
Pay in Florida
Florida’s minimum wage rose to $15.00 an hour on September 30, 2026, under Article X, section 24 of the Florida Constitution. That rate runs until December 31, 2027. After that the state recalculates it for inflation every September 30, with the new rate taking effect the following January 1. Cities and counties cannot set their own minimum wage for private employers.
Leave for parents
Florida has no state paid family leave program, so eligible employees rely on the federal Family and Medical Leave Act for up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave. There is no state law requiring paid sick leave, and since state law bars cities and counties from requiring it, any paid time off depends on the employer. Ask before you accept.
Help with child care
Florida’s School Readiness Program helps pay for child care. The Florida Department of Education’s Division of Early Learning runs it with 30 local early learning coalitions. Parents must work or attend school for at least 20 hours a week, and family income must be at or below 55 percent of the state median for the family’s size. Parents pay a copayment. Apply through your county’s early learning coalition, or start from ChildCare.gov’s Florida page.
Free VPK
The Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program is free for every child who is 4 on or before September 1, whatever the family’s income. A school-year program must give at least 540 instructional hours, or 300 hours in summer. On a 180-day school year, 540 hours comes to about three hours a day, so a full working day still needs care around it.
Tax credits
Florida’s constitution bars a personal income tax, so there is no state earned income credit. The federal Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit are the ones to claim: our support page explains both.
Scheduling
Since July 1, 2024, Florida law stops local governments from regulating how private employers schedule shifts, including predictive scheduling. Notice of shifts is up to each employer.
Getting into work
CareerSource Florida runs about 100 career centers through 21 local workforce boards. Find your nearest one with the American Job Center finder. Pharmacy technicians register with the Florida Board of Pharmacy, and insurance agents need a license from the Department of Financial Services under section 626.112 of the Florida Statutes.
Questions about working in Florida
What is Florida’s minimum wage now?
$15.00 an hour from September 30, 2026, under the Florida Constitution. It stays there until December 31, 2027, and the first yearly inflation adjustment takes effect on January 1, 2028.
How many hours do I need to work for School Readiness child care help?
The School Readiness Program asks parents to work or attend school for at least 20 hours a week, and family income must be at or below 55 percent of the state median for your family size. Parents pay a copayment.
Is VPK free for every child in Florida?
Yes. Every child who lives in Florida and is 4 on or before September 1 can attend the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program free, whatever the family’s income.
Send us the hours you can keep
Send us your hours and your Florida ZIP code. We look for flexible roles near you, or remote roles open to Florida residents.