City Town Info

Fort Walton Beach Employment

Employment and Industries in the Fort Walton Beach, Florida Area

The economy of Fort Walton Beach is powered by the military and tourism. Fort Walton Beach is a prominent fishing and beach resort community. The city is bordered by two major Air Force bases, Hulburt Field and Elgin AFB. The bases support sectors such as services industries and military contractors. The defense contracts serve as the foundation for the growth of the region's high technology sectors. Over 350 local technology companies contract with the local military bases. The county is regarded as the leading technology center in Northwest Florida.

A large number of the workers in Fort Walton Beach region are employed by high technology firms. The prominent high-tech sectors in Fort Walton Beach are computer systems design and related services; engineering services and telecommunications services. The high-tech companies provide an average salary that is about double what the remainder of the private sector pays.

Some of the jobs more prevalent in the Fort Walton Beach area when compared to other cities are aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging and systems assemblers; aerospace engineers, aircraft mechanics and service technicians; engineers; electrical and electronic engineering technicians; pest control workers, budget analysts and real estate sales agents.

In descending order, the major sectors for employment in the Fort Walton Beach area are:

  • Government
  • Trade, Transportation and Utilities
  • Professional and business services
  • Leisure and hospitality
  • Finance
  • Construction
  • Manufacturing

The major private sector employers in the Fort Walton region are:

  • Tybrin Corporation - Engineering analysis & software development
  • Fort Walton Beach Medical Center - Hospital
  • Resort Quest - Real estate sales & property management
  • L3/Crestview Aerospace - Aircraft manufacturing, maintenance and modification
  • InDyne Inc - Range/test facilities and security systems
  • DRS Training & Control Systems - Defense electronics
  • North Okaloosa Medical Center - Hospital
  • Sverdrup Technology/Jacob TEAS - Engineering services
  • Legendary Inc - Development retail
  • Okaloosa Walton College - Education

Notable information regarding the Fort Walton Beach region: The county has been rated #2 for business vitality by the Wall Street Journal. The county was included in the best small places for business & careers list by Forbes Magazine. The average salary in Fort Walton Beach in 2009 was $26,000. In 2008, the cost of living index was at 84.3 which is less than the country's average of 100. For the residents over the age of 25, approximately 21% have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Fort Walton Beach companies have access to business organizations such as:

The Northwest Florida Daily News offers current information about the business endeavors in Fort Walton Beach.

Most Popular Jobs in Fort Walton Beach, Florida 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 nurses1,10054,450$35,630 - 74,20024%56%
2Engineers, all other61083,920$50,470 - 121,1606%82%
3Accountants and auditors55062,730$37,460 - 100,49018%79%
4Management analysts47072,660$44,460 - 102,79022%78%
5Computer software engineers, systems software42074,110$52,910 - 103,05028%85%
6Teachers and instructors, all other41049,450$20,100 - 79,4809%54%
7Electrical engineers39077,900$43,360 - 109,9306%81%
8Computer software engineers, applications30075,370$46,930 - 106,11045%85%
9Aerospace engineers28087,140$58,780 - 120,94010%87%
10Computer systems analysts28064,840$41,130 - 93,90029%68%
11Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products27053,800$25,350 - 107,6208%51%
12Mechanical engineers21089,830$56,360 - 126,6204%78%
13Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other17060,120$37,840 - 91,19017%56%
14Industrial engineers16068,370$36,430 - 102,06020%74%
15Budget analysts16063,580$45,500 - 86,1807%78%
16Computer specialists, all other16069,610$53,560 - 87,54015%68%
17Educational, vocational, and school counselors16043,290$17,560 - 94,18013%73%
18Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists15070,860$30,090 - 103,27018%56%
19Computer hardware engineers15078,930$54,190 - 105,0505%70%
20Financial specialists, all other15073,190$43,080 - 101,69012%50%
21Lawyers150103,400$46,890 - 11%99%
22Network and computer systems administrators13061,390$38,770 - 89,26027%50%
23Operations research analysts12074,080$37,780 - 104,98011%71%
24Managers, all other12081,620$45,020 - 117,0807%55%
25Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products12073,830$34,530 - 139,63012%51%
26Graphic designers11034,650$22,030 - 50,61010%55%
27Financial managers11093,650$47,230 - 132,46013%60%
28Pharmacists110104,850$90,110 - 127,51022%97%
29Training and development specialists10054,260$32,680 - 83,74018%56%
30Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation10044,190$28,520 - 64,6505%58%
31Computer programmers10063,880$33,610 - 92,6000%73%
32Engineering managers100111,480$85,930 - 144,0107%84%
33Advertising sales agents9039,560$18,790 - 58,50020%56%
34Chief executives90161,470$85,850 - 2%65%
35Mental health and substance abuse social workers8029,090$21,550 - 39,65030%77%
36Sales managers80117,210$55,040 - 10%69%
37Public relations specialists8054,090$25,450 - 81,75018%81%
38Medical and clinical laboratory technologists7044,540$33,680 - 61,05012%51%
39Social scientists and related workers, all other7069,080$52,020 - 93,3005%90%
40Coaches and scouts7031,350$22,130 - 53,89015%60%
41Counselors, all other6025,190$16,340 - 38,88017%73%
42Librarians6063,950$31,290 - 98,8104%85%
43Database administrators6058,950$37,730 - 84,34029%72%
44Sales and related workers, all other6030,940$15,270 - 48,86014%62%
45Computer and information systems managers6094,280$72,600 - 125,32016%73%
46Floral designers5023,280$16,680 - 31,1000%55%
47Mental health counselors5036,760$25,130 - 46,39030%73%
48Speech-language pathologists5072,150$46,900 - 101,20011%98%
49Veterinarians5065,890$43,950 - 84,35035%100%
50Personal financial advisors5087,470$32,420 - 161,15041%81%
51Technical writers5057,450$40,410 - 80,40020%74%
52Marketing managers40100,170$47,330 - 162,63014%69%
53Social and human service assistants4031,610$22,730 - 43,62034%58%
54Physical scientists, all other40 $ - 6%98%
55Community and social service specialists, all other4035,180$22,580 - 51,94025%58%
56Financial analysts4079,890$41,860 - 107,85034%87%
57Market research analysts4038,040$22,620 - 61,39020%82%
58Physician assistants4075,830$53,800 - 102,46027%67%
59Medical and health services managers4085,580$61,090 - 119,79016%57%
60Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists3044,460$29,850 - 69,62018%56%
61Instructional coordinators3049,550$26,950 - 79,30023%79%
62Optometrists30 $ - 11%100%
63Occupational health and safety specialists3068,070$45,400 - 94,6008%72%
64Farm and home management advisors3034,170$18,430 - 55,0105%79%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons3,90024,550$15,900 - 36,70012%25%
2Cashiers3,10018,110$14,900 - 22,790-2%10%
3Waiters and waitresses2,76021,000$14,830 - 29,04011%14%
4Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food2,74017,320$14,700 - 20,93018%5%
5Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive1,72027,640$15,700 - 40,3301%18%
6Customer service representatives1,55023,740$17,380 - 32,30025%22%
7Business operations specialists, all other1,45062,880$35,020 - 94,84021%49%
8Stock clerks and order fillers1,45021,750$15,690 - 31,580-7%8%
9Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,38022,220$14,950 - 33,24015%4%
10Office clerks, general1,31023,370$15,470 - 32,38013%19%
11Cooks, restaurant1,09021,720$16,990 - 29,11012%5%
12Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks1,04030,150$19,820 - 41,87013%16%
13First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers1,04040,290$22,780 - 62,0204%25%
14Executive secretaries and administrative assistants85035,040$24,130 - 51,26015%18%
15Maintenance and repair workers, general78035,990$22,830 - 50,52010%6%
16Receptionists and information clerks71024,380$17,210 - 32,56017%13%
17First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers68032,480$21,900 - 47,60011%14%
18Landscaping and groundskeeping workers66022,140$16,690 - 33,72018%6%
19Automotive service technicians and mechanics59037,750$18,240 - 59,38014%4%
20Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants59023,550$16,140 - 31,73018%7%
21Sales representatives, services, all other59052,010$21,740 - 131,75028%48%
22Maids and housekeeping cleaners59019,060$14,840 - 26,23013%5%
23Dishwashers58016,320$14,490 - 19,68010%3%
24First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers56043,840$26,640 - 65,0606%29%
25Child care workers56020,530$16,040 - 28,46018%15%
26Tellers51024,150$17,680 - 31,65014%16%
27Bartenders51019,740$14,670 - 28,71011%17%
28Cooks, fast food50016,860$14,450 - 20,8708%5%
29Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers48039,600$28,620 - 50,56013%0%
30Construction laborers48025,230$18,400 - 32,48011%5%
31General and operations managers48086,000$42,400 - 156,3602%48%
32Security guards48027,430$16,330 - 46,93017%13%
33Electricians46033,610$25,910 - 45,8007%7%
34Electrical and electronic engineering technicians45049,560$38,990 - 64,9904%18%
35All other information and record clerks45031,120$18,610 - 46,410-12%21%
36Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop43017,570$14,990 - 20,49010%17%
37First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers43058,390$37,030 - 81,5309%10%
38Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers42016,880$14,490 - 20,33012%6%
39Food preparation workers40019,130$14,860 - 25,72015%7%
40Loan officers39051,880$27,260 - 92,30012%49%
41Police and sheriff's patrol officers38039,730$29,350 - 54,50011%33%
42Counter and rental clerks37021,090$16,430 - 29,44023%16%
43Computer support specialists36043,770$29,930 - 59,72013%43%
44Truck drivers, light or delivery services36030,990$19,370 - 46,6008%4%
45Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand36023,890$16,960 - 31,6102%5%
46Real estate sales agents36033,720$22,860 - 45,14011%45%
47Aircraft mechanics and service technicians35045,980$33,050 - 61,53011%11%
48Construction managers35061,590$36,210 - 106,47016%29%
49Insurance sales agents33043,710$23,390 - 73,04013%45%
50Recreation workers32021,410$16,940 - 28,07013%47%
51Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products31064,960$35,070 - 93,3800%42%
52Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer31027,670$15,170 - 39,22010%4%
53Property, real estate, and community association managers31034,630$20,930 - 48,98015%36%
54Carpenters30033,850$20,060 - 45,85010%6%
55Fire fighters30038,080$22,570 - 54,67012%18%
56Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses29034,010$26,930 - 40,96014%7%
57Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks27028,570$17,100 - 45,3204%6%
58Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop27021,650$14,900 - 35,55010%8%
59First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers26060,130$36,320 - 80,0607%13%
60Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers25027,760$17,600 - 40,990-26%6%
61Preschool teachers, except special education25021,750$17,040 - 24,47026%43%
62Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers25037,350$27,480 - 49,300-6%14%
63Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists25025,600$17,050 - 37,56012%6%
64Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers25036,840$23,860 - 51,9809%3%
65Helpers--electricians23027,090$18,210 - 37,7507%3%
66Medical assistants21027,610$22,010 - 32,65035%10%
67Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks21020,090$17,040 - 24,79017%14%
68Loan interviewers and clerks21034,140$23,890 - 47,2300%24%
69Postal service mail carriers210 1%11%
70Dental assistants20032,650$25,090 - 42,27029%9%
71Amusement and recreation attendants20018,310$14,880 - 24,38024%22%
72Logisticians20065,380$45,860 - 91,79017%43%
73Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters20036,630$27,150 - 49,56011%4%
74Pharmacy technicians20024,910$17,880 - 33,83032%16%
75Physicians and surgeons, all other190205,850$101,820 - 0%0%
76Driver/sales workers17017,520$14,720 - 23,030-4%4%
77Emergency medical technicians and paramedics17026,710$19,190 - 37,74019%14%
78Cleaners of vehicles and equipment17019,970$15,060 - 26,13014%3%
79First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers16054,430$34,620 - 73,290-4%15%
80Parts salespersons16029,230$19,600 - 51,190-1%6%
81Machinists16032,500$20,950 - 49,010-2%3%
82Pest control workers16035,120$26,390 - 48,12016%9%
83Cement masons and concrete finishers15031,250$24,380 - 39,81011%2%
84Laundry and dry-cleaning workers15021,630$15,640 - 25,73010%5%
85Personal care and service workers, all other14020,810$15,880 - 26,350-12%21%
86Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators14032,170$21,700 - 49,2908%3%
87Cost estimators14048,180$29,560 - 75,92019%32%
88Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers14056,830$49,040 - 64,1903%13%
89Engineering technicians, except drafters, all other13049,760$24,890 - 73,9302%18%
90Radiologic technologists and technicians13045,670$32,850 - 61,93015%25%
91Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors13032,700$22,890 - 43,21027%47%
92Packers and packagers, hand13016,610$14,630 - 20,000-11%3%
93Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers12030,800$22,790 - 42,31014%11%
94Food service managers12055,370$36,050 - 88,3705%24%
95Paralegals and legal assistants12035,420$23,860 - 49,32022%45%
96Cooks, institution and cafeteria11025,910$15,480 - 42,07011%5%
97Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks11024,620$19,490 - 30,7201%29%
98Real estate brokers110 11%45%
99Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators11035,310$21,750 - 56,70014%8%
100Architectural and civil drafters11051,700$28,290 - 81,7506%25%
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Jobs More Common Near Fort Walton Beach Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers39,60048070.2
Aerospace engineers87,14028012.1
Engineers, all other83,9206107.3
Aircraft mechanics and service technicians45,9803506.6
Electrical and electronic engineering technicians49,5604505.2
Pest control workers35,1201605.1
Budget analysts63,5801605
Personal care and service workers, all other20,8101405
Real estate brokers 1104.9
Electrical engineers77,9003904.8
Computer hardware engineers78,9301504.8
Helpers--electricians27,0902304.3
Real estate sales agents33,7203604.2
Engineering technicians, except drafters, all other49,7601304.1
All other information and record clerks31,1204504
Logisticians65,3802003.8
Property, real estate, and community association managers34,6303103.7
Operations research analysts74,0801203.6
Industrial engineering technicians44,7201003.1
Construction managers61,5903502.9
Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers30,8001202.8
Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment55,9701002.7
Business operations specialists, all other62,8801,4502.6
Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers27,7602502.4
Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators35,3101102.4
Cooks, restaurant21,7201,0902.3
Fire fighters38,0803002.3
Travel agents31,9701002.3
Loan officers51,8803902.3
Recreation workers21,4103202.3
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop17,5704302.3
Waiters and waitresses21,0002,7602.2
Dishwashers16,3205802.2
Brickmasons and blockmasons32,9901102.1
Financial specialists, all other73,1901502
Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products64,9603102
Bartenders19,7405102
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food17,3202,7402
Computer software engineers, systems software74,1104201.9
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics26,7101701.9
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks20,0902101.9
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers16,8804201.9
Insurance sales agents43,7103301.9
Sales representatives, services, all other52,0105901.9
Loan interviewers and clerks34,1402101.9
Cooks, fast food16,8605001.9
Child care workers20,5305601.9
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers36,8402501.8
Mechanical engineers89,8302101.8
Architectural and civil drafters51,7001101.8

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Fort Walton Beach, Florida Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists70,8601.48150
Teachers and instructors, all other49,4501.3410
Financial specialists, all other73,1901.28150
Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products64,9601.23310
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop21,6501.21270
Mechanical engineers89,8301.21210
Architectural and civil drafters51,7001.18110
Physicians and surgeons, all other205,8501.16190
Food service managers55,3701.14120
Pest control workers35,1201.13160
Waiters and waitresses21,0001.122,760
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers37,3501.11250
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers56,8301.11140
Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other60,1201.11170
Cooks, institution and cafeteria25,9101.1110
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers21,6301.09150
Security guards27,4301.09480
Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors32,7001.08130
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers32,4801.07680
Loan interviewers and clerks34,1401.07210
Truck drivers, light or delivery services30,9901.07360
Business operations specialists, all other62,8801.071,450
Child care workers20,5301.06560
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers60,1301.06260
Operations research analysts74,0801.05120
Accountants and auditors62,7301.05550
Maintenance and repair workers, general35,9901.05780
Computer support specialists43,7701.04360
Engineers, all other83,9201.04610
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers40,2901.041,040
Automotive service technicians and mechanics37,7501.04590
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks20,0901.03210
Computer specialists, all other69,6101.03160
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers54,4301.03160
Tellers24,1501.02510
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists25,6001.02250
Receptionists and information clerks24,3801.02710
Bartenders19,7401.02510
Helpers--electricians27,0901.01230
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products73,8301.01120
Dental assistants32,6501.01200
Logisticians65,3801.01200
Lawyers103,4001.01150
Financial managers93,6501.01110
Retail salespersons24,5501.013,900
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food17,3201.012,740
Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers39,6001480
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers58,3901430
Sales representatives, services, all other52,0101590
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks28,5701270

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