Clearwater-headquartered BayCare Health System says its operations generate $5.1 billion a year in economic impact for Pinellas County, according to a new study the health system released Tuesday, Sept. 8.

The report, which BayCare commissioned from Washington Economics Group using 2025 data, pegs the system's total annual economic impact across Florida at $13 billion. The figure is up 30% from the firm's previous study, which used 2022 data. BayCare's 16 hospitals across five counties support more than 66,000 jobs statewide, the health system said in a news release.

Pinellas leads economic impact by county

Pinellas led all five counties BayCare serves. Hillsborough County follows at $4.1 billion, then Polk County at more than $1 billion, Pasco County at $677 million and Manatee County at $88 million.

BayCare is the largest employer in Pinellas County, according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal's 2026 rankings. Morton Plant Hospital, at 455 Pinellas St. in Clearwater, is one of the system's 16 facilities.

Planned projects to add billions more

The study also projects BayCare's planned capital projects through 2030 will generate an additional $6.6 billion in cumulative economic impact and 30,871 jobs. Those projects include a new hospital in Manatee County set to open in 2028 and a new children's hospital facility in Tampa set to open in 2030, along with expanded urgent care centers and freestanding emergency departments.

Growth fueled by financial strategy

BayCare's hospitals account for $8.7 billion of the system's total impact. BayCare Medical Group, its physician practice arm, grew its economic footprint by 154% to $1.9 billion, according to the study.

Stephanie Conners, BayCare's president and CEO, attributed the growth to the system's financial management and investment in the region. "Health care is changing rapidly, and at BayCare, our disciplined growth also serves the region by providing high-quality care while supporting jobs . . . and investments that help strengthen Florida's economy," Conners said in a statement.

Job quality and community benefits

The study found 77% of the jobs BayCare supports are in higher-wage, knowledge-based services. The system also reported providing $500 million in community benefit programs and health care services in 2025.

Pasco County saw the sharpest percentage growth among the five counties at 71%, driven largely by the 2023 opening of BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel.

The full report is available on BayCare's economic impact page.