City Town Info

Florence Employment

Employment and Industries in the Florence, Alabama Area

Florence is the major economic center of northwestern Alabama. It's located in the center of the triangle consisting of Memphis, Nashville and Birmingham which places the city in one of the fastest growing areas in the nation. The city's location has led to significant economic development. The leading industries in Florence are education, health and social services, manufacturing (especially textiles, flooring and furniture) distribution, retail and food processing. Florence also has companies in industries such as primary metals, rubber products, chemical and allied products, agriculture (especially cotton) and fabricated metals. Regarding non-agricultural positions, about 25% of the jobs are in the construction, mining and manufacturing sectors.

In 2009 the average earnings in Florence was $28,000. Approximately 15% of the residents have bachelor's degrees and about 10% have a graduate degree. In 2008 the cost of living index was at 82.8. The average in the nation is 100.

The city of Florence offers a variety of incentives to increase manufacturing investments in the city. The Alabama Industrial Development Training program also helps companies by implementing a client approved training program at no charge for new and expanding businesses.

Some of the major employers in Florence and other areas in the metropolitan region known as the Shoals:

  • The local healthcare industry includes Gentiva Health Services, Coffee Health Group, Helen Keller Hospital and the Healthcare Authority of Lauderdale County and the city of Florence Alabama
  • The field of education includes Lauderdale County Schools, University of Northern Alabama, Florence City Schools and NW-Shoals Community College
  • Government employers such as the City of Florence, Tennessee Valley Authority and Lauderdale County
  • Sara Lee Foods - meat processing
  • Wise Alloys - aluminum can sheet
  • American Wholesale Books - distributor
  • SCA Tissue Barton Operation - paper mill converting
  • Jami- furniture
  • Northern Southern Railroad - transportation
  • The HON Company - office furniture manufacturer
  • Tarkett Alabama Inc - floor tile
  • Flexco - rubber and vinyl flooring
  • Whitesell Corporation - Fasteners
  • Bank Independent - financial
  • Monarch Ceramic Tile - porcelain tile manufacturer
  • South Wire - insulated copper/electrical wire
  • Southeastern Extrusion - precision tool & die

Helpful Florence business organizations are:

The Times Daily provides information about the current business activities in the Florence area.

Most Popular Jobs in Florence, Alabama Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses1,33051,310$34,750 - 66,34024%56%
2Elementary school teachers, except special education99043,600$31,060 - 54,67014%95%
3Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products64045,800$18,360 - 70,5108%51%
4Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education47043,440$29,050 - 58,7906%96%
5Accountants and auditors28048,570$26,350 - 75,84018%79%
6Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education26041,500$27,850 - 53,25011%95%
7Teachers and instructors, all other26019,580$13,420 - 31,1609%54%
8Lawyers13080,300$51,320 - 121,82011%99%
9Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other9056,660$30,520 - 85,44017%56%
10Education administrators, elementary and secondary school9074,120$60,160 - 91,2508%78%
11Medical and clinical laboratory technicians9031,010$22,010 - 40,99015%51%
12Educational, vocational, and school counselors9051,750$36,800 - 66,93013%73%
13Librarians8048,530$27,500 - 63,8404%85%
14Financial managers8083,750$51,260 - 135,65013%60%
15Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school8044,390$35,200 - 53,88020%87%
16Medical and public health social workers8037,860$27,690 - 50,64024%77%
17Chief executives80141,570$60,090 - 2%65%
18Child, family, and school social workers8037,550$27,100 - 53,61019%77%
19Civil engineers7062,540$36,770 - 88,35018%87%
20Legislators6015,000$12,860 - 16,8301%65%
21Network and computer systems administrators6052,960$36,030 - 70,23027%50%
22Coaches and scouts60 $ - 15%60%
23Medical and health services managers6067,420$44,320 - 107,52016%57%
24Mechanical engineers6069,360$33,980 - 107,0804%78%
25Physical therapists5059,220$39,600 - 91,30027%89%
26Electrical engineers5074,450$51,240 - 101,8106%81%
27Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other50 $ - 15%72%
28Special education teachers, secondary school5039,750$27,920 - 52,1509%87%
29Graphic designers5024,640$18,290 - 30,13010%55%
30Public relations specialists5036,980$21,730 - 58,98018%81%
31Vocational education teachers, secondary school4045,990$29,440 - 61,1300%96%
32Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation4040,280$26,520 - 56,9605%58%
33Computer software engineers, applications4044,330$29,320 - 64,60045%85%
34Training and development specialists4043,280$27,150 - 62,58018%56%
35Advertising sales agents4037,510$22,940 - 60,47020%56%
36Managers, all other4063,890$41,150 - 94,7507%55%
37Sales managers4096,020$39,390 - 10%69%
38Social and community service managers3048,780$29,340 - 74,78025%72%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Cashiers2,11016,380$12,890 - 22,130-2%10%
2Retail salespersons2,09021,060$13,150 - 34,88012%25%
3Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food1,35014,570$12,760 - 16,63018%5%
4Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand1,26021,560$13,390 - 40,7602%5%
5Stock clerks and order fillers1,22021,040$13,540 - 31,080-7%8%
6Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive1,14026,000$19,280 - 34,7601%18%
7Team assemblers1,02019,940$15,130 - 24,2000%5%
8Waiters and waitresses88015,120$12,780 - 19,07011%14%
9First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers85034,620$18,160 - 56,5704%25%
10Office clerks, general85019,860$13,520 - 28,47013%19%
11General and operations managers79083,740$41,310 - 143,0502%48%
12Customer service representatives77027,120$19,670 - 37,41025%22%
13Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners66020,510$14,630 - 25,91015%4%
14Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants63019,110$13,860 - 24,60018%7%
15Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer60031,850$15,490 - 56,13010%4%
16First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers54041,230$25,190 - 64,5606%29%
17First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers52025,700$17,120 - 39,18011%14%
18Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks50026,810$17,180 - 38,17013%16%
19Cooks, fast food50014,490$12,710 - 16,6908%5%
20Truck drivers, light or delivery services48023,960$14,020 - 38,2608%4%
21Maintenance and repair workers, general47033,120$17,800 - 55,01010%6%
22Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses46029,640$21,460 - 38,45014%7%
23Receptionists and information clerks43020,690$14,720 - 28,69017%13%
24Tellers40023,120$17,050 - 30,60014%16%
25Home health aides39018,320$13,180 - 24,89049%7%
26Food preparation workers38015,970$13,040 - 19,32015%7%
27Cooks, restaurant38019,440$14,150 - 25,45012%5%
28Helpers--production workers37020,310$16,390 - 27,4700%4%
29Teacher assistants34017,030$13,160 - 21,16010%18%
30Maids and housekeeping cleaners32015,880$12,940 - 20,04013%5%
31First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers31046,300$26,250 - 69,830-4%15%
32Industrial truck and tractor operators30027,420$19,430 - 37,010-1%2%
33Cooks, institution and cafeteria29018,850$13,720 - 25,73011%5%
34Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks29025,890$18,290 - 33,4604%6%
35Police and sheriff's patrol officers28034,880$25,420 - 47,12011%33%
36Electricians26034,880$25,830 - 47,8007%7%
37Cleaners of vehicles and equipment25018,540$13,240 - 25,44014%3%
38Automotive service technicians and mechanics24028,840$17,520 - 45,09014%4%
39Counter and rental clerks24021,800$15,470 - 31,33023%16%
40Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop23014,520$12,700 - 17,53010%17%
41Carpenters23035,440$22,300 - 50,73010%6%
42Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic23031,130$25,780 - 38,100-6%0%
43Child care workers22015,540$12,900 - 19,46018%15%
44Industrial machinery mechanics21036,740$26,680 - 49,7009%5%
45Pharmacy technicians21024,640$16,380 - 34,26032%16%
46First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers20048,010$33,300 - 77,6209%10%
47First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers20047,370$31,190 - 64,2507%13%
48Bus drivers, transit and intercity20023,020$13,980 - 36,15013%4%
49Medical assistants19022,600$17,200 - 29,57035%10%
50Medical secretaries19024,710$17,500 - 33,26017%18%
51Postal service mail carriers190 1%11%
52Machinists19040,970$28,050 - 50,470-2%3%
53Dishwashers18015,670$12,860 - 20,53010%3%
54Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic18019,350$13,880 - 26,8900%3%
55Bill and account collectors17025,640$18,080 - 37,51023%13%
56Security guards17020,440$13,150 - 40,12017%13%
57Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters17051,260$36,490 - 62,87011%4%
58Driver/sales workers17028,480$15,460 - 44,850-4%4%
59Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators17033,280$25,080 - 48,2408%3%
60Helpers--electricians17021,360$16,040 - 27,7407%3%
61Bus drivers, school16016,350$12,910 - 23,0709%4%
62Parts salespersons16027,140$14,180 - 40,460-1%6%
63Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders15027,210$21,300 - 32,330-7%0%
64Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks15015,690$12,890 - 19,87017%14%
65Packers and packagers, hand15021,740$14,720 - 36,790-11%3%
66Butchers and meat cutters15024,840$15,490 - 35,1402%2%
67Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers15026,930$21,320 - 32,7505%2%
68Laundry and dry-cleaning workers14016,240$13,090 - 19,62010%5%
69Loan interviewers and clerks14027,920$20,090 - 40,3500%24%
70Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic14027,890$19,640 - 39,660-14%0%
71Insurance claims and policy processing clerks14025,610$21,740 - 31,6500%22%
72Tree trimmers and pruners14025,680$17,620 - 35,28011%6%
73Billing and posting clerks and machine operators14025,570$18,370 - 35,2804%15%
74Painters, construction and maintenance13030,270$20,660 - 40,08012%6%
75Dental hygienists13031,270$22,910 - 41,16030%33%
76Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders12024,250$19,840 - 30,160-4%5%
77Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists12035,290$22,460 - 52,82012%3%
78Executive secretaries and administrative assistants12039,680$27,660 - 57,47015%18%
79Landscaping and groundskeeping workers12026,660$18,310 - 36,03018%6%
80Tool and die makers12035,010$21,410 - 48,740-9%5%
81Electrical power-line installers and repairers11055,660$42,890 - 67,5207%6%
82Kindergarten teachers, except special education11042,600$30,140 - 52,38016%43%
83Construction laborers11025,360$14,800 - 42,85011%5%
84Radiologic technologists and technicians110 15%25%
85Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers11023,860$16,630 - 32,880-6%14%
86Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic11025,720$18,620 - 33,170-2%6%
87Construction managers10061,550$37,430 - 111,99016%29%
88Loan officers10060,100$34,600 - 100,47012%49%
89Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders10027,340$21,260 - 35,440-4%4%
90Dental assistants9024,960$17,230 - 36,17029%9%
91First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators9044,950$24,540 - 79,98010%17%
92Recreation workers9020,030$14,030 - 30,88013%47%
93Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood8022,950$17,560 - 30,1204%0%
94Correctional officers and jailers8020,860$16,890 - 27,05017%11%
95Payroll and timekeeping clerks8027,840$18,230 - 39,1403%18%
96Insurance sales agents8069,490$32,710 - 133,55013%45%
97Residential advisors8019,840$13,920 - 33,95019%28%
98Refuse and recyclable material collectors8026,930$18,410 - 38,3307%3%
99Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic8027,640$17,110 - 40,340-15%0%
100Switchboard operators, including answering service8021,460$15,220 - 28,690-7%10%
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Additional Details

Florence CollegesFlorence Colleges
Florence colleges and trade schools.
Florence Hotels & TravelFlorence Hotels & Travel
Florence hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
Florence MortgageFlorence Mortgage
Florence property, mortgage, and real estate.

Jobs More Common Near Florence Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Tree trimmers and pruners25,68014043.7
Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic31,1302309.9
Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders27,2101508.1
Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic19,3501807.8
Helpers--electricians21,3601704.9
Tool and die makers35,0101204.8
Electrical power-line installers and repairers55,6601104.2
Bus drivers, transit and intercity23,0202004
Butchers and meat cutters24,8401504
Team assemblers19,9401,0203
Cooks, fast food14,4905002.9
Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic25,7201102.7
Cooks, institution and cafeteria18,8502902.7
Helpers--production workers20,3103702.5
Industrial machinery mechanics36,7402102.5
Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders27,3401002.5
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment18,5402502.3
Parts salespersons27,1401602.2
Dental hygienists31,2701302.2
Elementary school teachers, except special education43,6009902.2
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers34,6208502.2
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks15,6901502.1
Kindergarten teachers, except special education42,6001102.1
Tellers23,1204002.1
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses29,6404602
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic27,8901402
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers16,2401402
Pharmacy technicians24,6402101.9
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers25,7005201.9
Loan interviewers and clerks27,9201401.9
Stock clerks and order fillers21,0401,2201.9
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop14,5202301.9
Cashiers16,3802,1101.8
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive26,0001,1401.8
Insurance claims and policy processing clerks25,6101401.8
Postal service mail carriers 1901.6
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand21,5601,2601.6
Teachers and instructors, all other19,5802601.6
Radiologic technologists and technicians 1101.6
Counter and rental clerks21,8002401.6
Truck drivers, light or delivery services23,9604801.6
Registered nurses51,3101,3301.5
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists35,2901201.5
Industrial truck and tractor operators27,4203001.5
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers46,3003101.5
Painters, construction and maintenance30,2701301.5
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food14,5701,3501.5
Machinists40,9701901.5
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education43,4404701.5
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators33,2801701.4

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Florence, Alabama Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters51,2601.11170
Machinists40,9701.11190
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers26,6601.1120
Driver/sales workers28,4801.09170
Packers and packagers, hand21,7401.07150
Executive secretaries and administrative assistants39,6801.02120
Electrical power-line installers and repairers55,6601.02110
Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic31,1301230
Tellers23,1200.98400
Maintenance and repair workers, general33,1200.96470
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic27,8900.96140
Counter and rental clerks21,8000.94240
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders24,2500.93120
Stock clerks and order fillers21,0400.921,220
First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers41,2300.91540
Customer service representatives27,1200.91770
Industrial truck and tractor operators27,4200.91300
Dishwashers15,6700.91180
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks25,8900.91290
Carpenters35,4400.9230
Kindergarten teachers, except special education42,6000.9110
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists35,2900.9120
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners20,5100.9660
Cooks, restaurant19,4400.9380
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers34,6200.89850
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand21,5600.891,260
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive26,0000.891,140
Parts salespersons27,1400.89160
Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders27,2100.89150
Cashiers16,3800.882,110
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment18,5400.88250
Painters, construction and maintenance30,2700.88130
Pharmacy technicians24,6400.88210
Loan interviewers and clerks27,9200.88140
Elementary school teachers, except special education43,6000.88990
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers46,3000.87310
General and operations managers83,7400.87790
Receptionists and information clerks20,6900.86430
Retail salespersons21,0600.862,090
Home health aides18,3200.86390
Helpers--production workers20,3100.86370
Medical secretaries24,7100.85190
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education43,4400.85470
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers25,7000.85520
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer31,8500.85600
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food14,5700.851,350
Billing and posting clerks and machine operators25,5700.84140
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks26,8100.84500
Cooks, fast food14,4900.83500
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers47,3700.83200

Highest Paying Jobs in Florence, Alabama Metro Area (2008 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Chief executives141,57080
Sales managers96,02040
Pharmacists87,460 
Financial managers83,75080
General and operations managers83,740790
Industrial production managers83,00040
Lawyers80,300130
Electrical engineers74,45050
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school74,12090
Insurance sales agents69,49080
Mechanical engineers69,36060
Pipelayers67,97060
Medical and health services managers67,42060
Managers, all other63,89040
Business operations specialists, all other63,26070
Civil engineers62,54070
Construction managers61,550100
Loan officers60,100100
Physical therapists59,22050
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers57,50080
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers56,89050
Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other56,66090
Electrical power-line installers and repairers55,660110
Network and computer systems administrators52,96060
Educational, vocational, and school counselors51,75090
Registered nurses51,3101,330
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters51,260170
Cost estimators50,50060
Food service managers48,91060
Social and community service managers48,78030
Accountants and auditors48,570280
Librarians48,53080
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers48,010200
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers47,370200
Diagnostic medical sonographers47,03050
Production, planning, and expediting clerks47,01060
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers46,300310
Vocational education teachers, secondary school45,99040
Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators45,87070
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products45,800640
First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators44,95090
Construction and building inspectors44,43030
Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school44,39080
Computer software engineers, applications44,33040
Elementary school teachers, except special education43,600990
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education43,440470
Training and development specialists43,28040
Sales representatives, services, all other42,79040
Kindergarten teachers, except special education42,600110
Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products42,37070

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