City Town Info

Ocala Employment

Employment and Industries in the Ocala, Florida Area

Ocala is known as the horse capital of the world. The horse breeding, training and related support provides over 40,000 jobs. Ocala has a manufacturing base which includes the production of emergency vehicles, trucks, vans, missiles and shelving and storage units. Ocala is home to the headquarters of Emergency One a worldwide designer and manufacturer of fire rescue vehicles. In addition, employment levels for manufacturing are double the statewide average.

Peanuts, fruits, vegetables and livestock, especially cattle also contribute to the economy. About 2,000 of the county's residents are employed in the agriculture industry. The tourism industry also provides numerous jobs.

Ocala's major sectors for employment are:

  • Thoroughbred industry
  • Tourism
  • Healthcare
  • Education
  • Government
  • Manufacturing
  • Construction
  • Finance and insurance

Occupations that are more common in Ocala than most other cities include farm workers, farm and ranch animals; animal trainers, nonfarm animal caretakers, pest control workers, medical equipment repairers, veterinary technologists and technicians; veterinarians and personal care and service workers.

The major private sector employers in the Ocala region are:

  • Munroe Regional Medical Center
  • Walmart
  • Publix Supermarkets
  • Ocala Regional Medical Center
  • AT&T
  • Taylor, Bean and Whitacker
  • Cheney Brothers Inc
  • Swift Transportation Company
  • Hospice of Marion County Inc
  • Signature Brands LLC
  • Custom Window Systems Inc
  • Townley Manufacturing Company Inc
  • SPX Dehydration and Air Filtration
  • On Top of the World Communities Inc
  • Elster AMCO Water Inc
  • Cingular Wireless
  • Kmart Corporation
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Emergency One Inc
  • Class 1
  • Closet Maid
  • Mark IV Automotive
  • Skyline Corporation

The primary government employers are shown below:

  • Marion County Public Schools
  • State of Florida
  • US Government
  • Marion County Board of County Commissioners
  • City of Ocala
  • Marion County Sheriff's Office
  • Central Florida Community College

Notable information about Ocala: About 19% of the residents in Ocala hold a bachelor's degree or better. The cost of living in 2008 was 86.4 which is less than the nation's average of 100. In 2007 the estimated median household income was $38,000.

Ocala companies may obtain assistance from business organizations such as:

The Ocala Business Journal offers up-to-date information regarding the business activities in Ocala.

Most Popular Jobs in Ocala, 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 nurses1,95059,520$41,510 - 77,14024%56%
2Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products1,59056,480$26,840 - 111,9008%51%
3Accountants and auditors49054,370$33,390 - 82,79018%79%
4Lawyers31079,420$46,610 - 126,62011%99%
5Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products29059,370$34,990 - 109,25012%51%
6Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents23059,830$28,980 - 105,79025%67%
7Pharmacists210103,550$87,060 - 128,73022%97%
8Chief executives190148,030$81,810 - 2%65%
9Physical therapists15064,210$31,690 - 96,21027%89%
10Sales managers150135,930$72,570 - 10%69%
11Financial managers14091,610$53,980 - 152,72013%60%
12Veterinarians14072,430$32,030 - 106,03035%100%
13Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists14049,600$28,480 - 75,36018%56%
14Industrial engineers14067,920$34,380 - 119,33020%74%
15Self-enrichment education teachers14030,270$15,440 - 57,11023%54%
16Educational, vocational, and school counselors140 $ - 13%73%
17Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other13049,740$33,620 - 71,59017%56%
18Management analysts12077,080$35,320 - 136,37022%78%
19Medical and clinical laboratory technologists12049,340$37,640 - 62,29012%51%
20Network systems and data communications analysts12050,500$33,310 - 75,95053%57%
21Sales and related workers, all other12030,870$18,730 - 40,68014%62%
22Social and human service assistants11028,340$20,490 - 38,03034%58%
23Librarians110 $ - 4%85%
24Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors11032,680$22,810 - 46,42034%73%
25Public relations specialists11042,830$25,740 - 64,69018%81%
26Medical and public health social workers10046,520$15,460 - 74,75024%77%
27Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation9037,590$23,940 - 57,9105%58%
28Training and development specialists9041,810$26,530 - 60,38018%56%
29Advertising sales agents9047,330$31,260 - 65,66020%56%
30Managers, all other9071,270$38,370 - 127,5907%55%
31Medical and health services managers9090,420$58,870 - 154,70016%57%
32Instructional coordinators8050,420$22,530 - 79,15023%79%
33Rehabilitation counselors8031,160$22,170 - 40,48023%73%
34Community and social service specialists, all other8041,210$20,120 - 61,31025%58%
35Computer programmers8068,270$42,990 - 99,7000%73%
36Network and computer systems administrators8059,180$31,310 - 84,33027%50%
37Personal financial advisors8062,180$36,010 - 98,55041%81%
38Graphic designers8034,310$18,740 - 60,31010%55%
39Computer systems analysts8048,510$37,030 - 62,81029%68%
40Child, family, and school social workers8042,950$28,150 - 72,75019%77%
41Financial specialists, all other7054,860$32,790 - 75,89012%50%
42Surveyors7052,830$24,020 - 94,59024%82%
43Mental health counselors6033,940$26,710 - 46,44030%73%
44Computer software engineers, applications6095,950$48,650 - 156,40045%85%
45Floral designers6022,300$16,040 - 31,7100%55%
46Education, training, and library workers, all other6047,670$27,860 - 76,82011%79%
47Speech-language pathologists6063,430$44,670 - 85,16011%98%
48Civil engineers6076,750$45,460 - 121,49018%87%
49Mechanical engineers6060,240$35,610 - 93,6904%78%
50Counselors, all other5039,620$21,600 - 70,59017%73%
51Editors5053,670$33,340 - 84,0302%81%
52Dentists, general50165,910$113,920 - 9%100%
53Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists5064,140$42,520 - 82,26016%99%
54Architects, except landscape and naval40 $ - 18%88%
55Occupational therapists4071,610$54,910 - 95,87023%90%
56Marriage and family therapists4035,780$27,930 - 53,97030%73%
57Market research analysts4061,400$35,440 - 96,55020%82%
58Electrical engineers4074,570$55,400 - 100,9906%81%
59Computer and information systems managers4089,710$50,110 - 127,78016%73%
60Marketing managers40109,250$55,690 - 14%69%
61Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists4041,450$26,850 - 59,55018%56%
62Financial analysts4074,370$36,850 - 104,91034%87%
63Engineering managers40123,010$85,550 - 7%84%
64Chiropractors30 $ - 14%98%
65Dietitians and nutritionists3046,840$34,770 - 64,7909%72%
66Operations research analysts3048,250$30,870 - 71,71011%71%
67Database administrators3051,930$42,260 - 70,60029%72%
68Physician assistants30117,550$89,150 - 139,98027%67%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons3,77026,370$15,060 - 41,04012%25%
2Cashiers3,69017,790$14,670 - 22,150-2%10%
3Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food2,72018,120$14,590 - 26,78018%5%
4Stock clerks and order fillers2,55020,420$15,130 - 28,150-7%8%
5Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive2,38025,880$17,680 - 34,1001%18%
6Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer2,00031,070$21,960 - 40,97010%4%
7Office clerks, general1,94023,640$15,390 - 32,26013%19%
8Waiters and waitresses1,92018,210$14,680 - 24,05011%14%
9Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants1,71022,470$17,480 - 29,47018%7%
10Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks1,34030,260$19,590 - 41,94013%16%
11Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand1,25023,430$16,890 - 31,0802%5%
12Receptionists and information clerks1,22022,880$16,200 - 32,05017%13%
13Customer service representatives1,16024,760$15,410 - 36,27025%22%
14First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers1,15039,390$25,110 - 59,1204%25%
15Landscaping and groundskeeping workers1,10021,990$14,940 - 33,09018%6%
16Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,06021,260$15,130 - 30,05015%4%
17Team assemblers98024,970$18,380 - 31,9800%5%
18Truck drivers, light or delivery services98026,160$16,630 - 44,9308%4%
19First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers98039,750$22,170 - 63,2906%29%
20Maintenance and repair workers, general94027,880$16,770 - 40,32010%6%
21Cooks, restaurant89020,350$16,480 - 26,07012%5%
22Automotive service technicians and mechanics85033,470$20,380 - 51,08014%4%
23Executive secretaries and administrative assistants85035,020$24,460 - 52,93015%18%
24Dishwashers78016,020$14,430 - 19,16010%3%
25Carpenters77033,650$20,070 - 43,20010%6%
26First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers70054,630$32,680 - 92,9509%10%
27Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses69040,010$32,280 - 51,10014%7%
28Food preparation workers64018,600$14,860 - 24,81015%7%
29Maids and housekeeping cleaners64017,350$14,740 - 20,82013%5%
30Assemblers and fabricators, all other62025,230$18,410 - 35,410-8%5%
31General and operations managers61097,560$29,550 - 2%48%
32Sales representatives, services, all other60059,390$24,860 - 120,33028%48%
33Tellers59022,670$17,100 - 28,32014%16%
34Medical assistants58025,270$20,280 - 31,66035%10%
35Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks58024,090$16,600 - 36,3004%6%
36Counter and rental clerks55021,530$14,700 - 35,86023%16%
37Nonfarm animal caretakers54021,650$17,030 - 25,95018%16%
38Business operations specialists, all other54057,010$32,290 - 81,62021%49%
39Bus drivers, school530 9%4%
40Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators52031,500$21,130 - 42,2408%3%
41Construction laborers51024,970$17,720 - 33,38011%5%
42First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers51030,580$19,290 - 42,83011%14%
43Security guards46019,040$14,750 - 25,77017%13%
44Police and sheriff's patrol officers46040,120$28,850 - 53,77011%33%
45Electricians45033,240$23,770 - 46,5107%7%
46Farmworkers, farm and ranch animals44022,000$16,320 - 33,3903%4%
47Home health aides43019,300$15,270 - 24,63049%7%
48Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers42035,480$25,990 - 50,2409%3%
49Postal service mail carriers410 1%11%
50Pharmacy technicians41028,540$21,120 - 34,60032%16%
51Billing and posting clerks and machine operators40027,340$19,750 - 36,2804%15%
52Painters, construction and maintenance39025,930$15,190 - 36,06012%6%
53Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters39035,750$22,110 - 57,79011%4%
54Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists37022,090$14,760 - 33,93012%6%
55Telemarketers36020,380$16,440 - 25,290-9%14%
56Insurance sales agents35060,110$27,270 - 120,08013%45%
57First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers34048,670$26,470 - 77,820-4%15%
58Cooks, fast food34017,400$14,560 - 21,5608%5%
59Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers32030,230$20,160 - 41,080-26%6%
60First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers32050,950$30,020 - 75,1407%13%
61Preschool teachers, except special education31021,020$15,490 - 25,50026%43%
62Medical secretaries31024,690$17,660 - 30,91017%18%
63Order clerks31025,580$16,850 - 31,730-23%16%
64Industrial truck and tractor operators31024,770$18,300 - 32,100-1%2%
65Paralegals and legal assistants31036,800$27,650 - 50,35022%45%
66Loan officers30052,200$30,720 - 80,51012%49%
67Child care workers30021,770$15,430 - 29,52018%15%
68Helpers--electricians29026,770$18,360 - 36,2207%3%
69Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers29032,190$21,620 - 40,3205%2%
70Plasterers and stucco masons26039,670$29,270 - 50,6508%0%
71Recreation workers26018,260$14,480 - 24,45013%47%
72File clerks25025,200$17,480 - 31,180-40%20%
73Data entry keyers24023,680$15,250 - 31,060-4%18%
74Electrical and electronic engineering technicians23045,820$32,480 - 63,2604%18%
75Roofers23028,660$21,540 - 37,01014%3%
76Parts salespersons23027,140$18,560 - 38,350-1%6%
77First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers23067,390$30,970 - 125,3804%38%
78Bill and account collectors22026,290$17,040 - 37,05023%13%
79Construction managers22081,770$48,030 - 130,51016%29%
80Veterinary technologists and technicians22026,360$19,970 - 34,66041%16%
81Computer support specialists22035,550$26,640 - 49,17013%43%
82Emergency medical technicians and paramedics22030,870$22,480 - 41,26019%14%
83Physicians and surgeons, all other210170,310$95,280 - 0%0%
84Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers21035,080$22,040 - 66,260-6%14%
85Dental assistants20033,390$25,800 - 40,83029%9%
86Cost estimators20052,070$34,180 - 76,00019%32%
87Office and administrative support workers, all other20022,050$14,840 - 31,270-8%32%
88Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic20026,490$21,130 - 36,630-14%0%
89Industrial machinery mechanics20033,790$25,940 - 45,3209%5%
90Pest control workers20030,040$19,400 - 40,18016%9%
91Radiologic technologists and technicians20046,050$34,520 - 61,12015%25%
92Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists19040,020$28,610 - 56,68012%3%
93Laundry and dry-cleaning workers19018,330$14,660 - 24,33010%5%
94Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks19019,310$15,880 - 24,52017%14%
95Cleaners of vehicles and equipment19021,470$16,390 - 29,77014%3%
96Packers and packagers, hand19018,600$14,930 - 24,130-11%3%
97Food servers, nonrestaurant19018,530$14,700 - 24,10016%9%
98Dental hygienists19052,630$36,070 - 66,20030%33%
99Driver/sales workers19030,230$15,190 - 42,260-4%4%
100All other information and record clerks18028,110$21,640 - 35,570-12%21%
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Additional Details

Ocala CollegesOcala Colleges
Ocala colleges and trade schools.
Ocala Hotels & TravelOcala Hotels & Travel
Ocala hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
Ocala MortgageOcala Mortgage
Ocala property, mortgage, and real estate.

Career Schools in Ocala

Schools with flexible schedules, simple applications, online info request forms, and rapid responses to requests for info.

(Also see all Florida Colleges.)

Rasmussen College
Ocala, Florida
  • Programs: Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Family And Social Work, Law, Media, Medical Administration, Medical Support And Technology, Nursing And Emergency Medicine, Nutrition And Exercise Therapy, Office And Administration, Security And Law Enforcement, Therapy And Counseling
  • Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Bachelor, Certificate, Diploma
  • Request Info From The School

Jobs More Common Near Ocala Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Farmworkers, farm and ranch animals22,00044047.7
Animal trainers34,89012032.2
Plasterers and stucco masons39,67026011.9
Upholsterers22,8101006.6
Nonfarm animal caretakers21,6505406.4
Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door24,3201206
Real estate brokers 1505.3
Pest control workers30,0402005.1
Medical equipment preparers22,3101204.7
Veterinary technologists and technicians26,3602204.4
Veterinarians72,4301404.4
Helpers--electricians26,7702904.3
Pharmacy aides18,5801003.8
Assemblers and fabricators, all other25,2306203.8
Protective service workers, all other24,3001703.5
Personal care and service workers, all other20,3301203.3
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers18,9901303.1
Roofers28,6602303
Physical therapist assistants45,1801103
Surveying and mapping technicians28,7601302.9
Medical transcriptionists29,1601402.7
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors32,6801102.5
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers35,4804202.4
Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers30,2303202.4
Demonstrators and product promoters22,3601102.3
Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers32,2401302.3
Painters, construction and maintenance25,9303902.3
Dishwashers16,0207802.3
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators31,5005202.3
Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters24,7401502.2
Electrical and electronic engineering technicians45,8202302.1
Stock clerks and order fillers20,4202,5502
Bus drivers, school 5302
Automotive service technicians and mechanics33,4708502
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics30,8702202
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer31,0702,0002
Order clerks25,5803101.9
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive25,8802,3801.9
Pharmacy technicians28,5404101.9
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants22,4701,7101.9
Drywall and ceiling tile installers38,2201501.9
Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators35,4501101.9
Counter and rental clerks21,5305501.8
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers54,6307001.8
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers21,9901,1001.8
File clerks25,2002501.8
Postal service mail carriers 4101.8
Medical assistants25,2705801.8
Architectural and civil drafters31,8101401.8
Construction and building inspectors42,2301101.8

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Ocala, Florida Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Sales managers135,9301.38150
Driver/sales workers30,2301.15190
Sales representatives, services, all other59,3901.14600
Child care workers21,7701.13300
Animal trainers34,8901.09120
Retail salespersons26,3701.083,770
Insurance sales agents60,1101.07350
File clerks25,2001.07250
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food18,1201.052,720
Management analysts77,0801.05120
Nonfarm animal caretakers21,6501.05540
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers35,0801.05210
Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists49,6001.04140
Dental assistants33,3901.04200
Bartenders19,9701.03130
Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers30,2301.02320
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment21,4701.02190
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers39,3901.021,150
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers52,0501.02140
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists40,0201.02190
Pharmacy technicians28,5401.02410
General and operations managers97,5601.01610
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses40,0101.01690
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers30,5801.01510
Cooks, institution and cafeteria23,7901.01130
Helpers--electricians26,7701290
Cooks, fast food17,4001340
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products56,48011,590
Plasterers and stucco masons39,6701260
Social and human service assistants28,3401110
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks19,3100.99190
Drywall and ceiling tile installers38,2200.99150
Financial managers91,6100.99140
Pharmacists103,5500.99210
Physical therapist assistants45,1800.99110
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics30,8700.98220
Chief executives148,0300.98190
Waiters and waitresses18,2100.971,920
Construction managers81,7700.97220
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand23,4300.971,250
Business operations specialists, all other57,0100.97540
Food preparation workers18,6000.97640
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers67,3900.97230
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop17,1300.97150
Registered nurses59,5200.971,950
Pest control workers30,0400.96200
Cashiers17,7900.963,690
Tellers22,6700.96590
Receptionists and information clerks22,8800.961,220
Physicians and surgeons, all other170,3100.96210

Highest Paying Jobs in Ocala, Florida Metro Area (2008 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Physicians and surgeons, all other170,310210
Dentists, general165,91050
Chief executives148,030190
Sales managers135,930150
Family and general practitioners135,40060
Engineering managers123,01040
Physician assistants117,55030
Marketing managers109,25040
Pharmacists103,550210
General and operations managers97,560610
Computer software engineers, applications95,95060
Financial managers91,610140
Medical and health services managers90,42090
Industrial production managers90,26050
Computer and information systems managers89,71040
Electronics engineers, except computer85,300 
Engineers, all other83,780 
Administrative services managers82,14070
Construction managers81,770220
Lawyers79,420310
Management analysts77,080120
Civil engineers76,75060
Electrical engineers74,57040
Financial analysts74,37040
Veterinarians72,430140
Occupational therapists71,61040
Managers, all other71,27090
Computer programmers68,27080
Industrial engineers67,920140
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers67,390230
Physical therapists64,210150
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists64,14050
Speech-language pathologists63,43060
Personal financial advisors62,18080
Nuclear medicine technologists61,600 
Market research analysts61,40040
Mechanical engineers60,24060
Insurance sales agents60,110350
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents59,830230
Registered nurses59,5201,950
Sales representatives, services, all other59,390600
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products59,370290
Network and computer systems administrators59,18080
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators58,10040
Business operations specialists, all other57,010540
Telecommunications line installers and repairers56,53040
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products56,4801,590
Financial specialists, all other54,86070
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers54,630700
Accountants and auditors54,370490

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