Workforce

Northwest Florida attracts an abundance of skilled personnel drawn by an exceptional quality of life and lower overall cost of living.

Our workforce is well educated.  78 percent have completed high school;  43 percent have completed one to two years of college; and 31 percent have earned a four year university degree and/or graduate degree. Nearly half the population is of prime working age, 18-44.

Productivity is higher than national averages and employees carry a strong reputation for reliability and positive work attitude. Historically, unemployment for the area is well below the national average.

Our high tech military training facilities — Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard — produce a highly skilled labor pool and account for more than 20 percent of the total workforce.

Florida is a right-to-work state, and workers value their independence. This provision is contained in Florida's constitution, a characteristic shared by only six other states. In addition, workman's compensation rates and unemployment benefits are usually lower than average.

Our workforce is hard-working and industrious. With no personal income tax, Floridians have the highest income remaining after state and local taxes, in all fifty states.