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.

Jobs in Florence

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations55110$39,350$18.92100
2Production Occupations7540$37,080$17.835.6
3Office and Administrative Support Occupations6990$33,910$16.3113.75
4Sales and Related Occupations6720$32,080$15.429.5
5Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations6010$20,960$10.088.7
6Transportation and Material Moving Occupations4590$29,150$14.016.7
7Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations3600$65,500$31.495.85
8Construction and Extraction Occupations3300$43,950$21.134.6
9Educational Instruction and Library Occupations3220$46,110$22.176
10Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations2800$44,590$21.443.75
11Cashiers2160$20,430$9.822.2
12Fast Food and Counter Workers1920$18,630$8.962.45
13Management Occupations1910$91,600$44.046.35
14Retail Salespersons1850$25,200$12.122.7
15Healthcare Support Occupations1740$25,940$12.472.85
16Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations1490$28,570$13.743.6
17Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand1490$26,750$12.861.8
18Registered Nurses1410$55,350$26.611.95
19Business and Financial Operations Occupations1290$65,350$31.425.35
20Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive1270$33,450$16.081.4
21Waiters and Waitresses1200$20,110$9.671.65
22Personal Care and Service Occupations990$21,910$10.534.65
23Office Clerks, General980$23,350$11.231.9
24Customer Service Representatives920$35,560$17.091.75
25First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers870$40,650$19.550.95
26Stockers and Order Fillers860$25,900$12.451.25
27General and Operations Managers770$101,730$48.911.5
28Protective Service Occupations760$34,720$16.692.2
29Architecture and Engineering Occupations720$75,530$36.311.7
30Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products690$58,890$28.310.85
31Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers670$37,260$17.910.3
32Nursing Assistants660$22,990$11.060.95
33Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners630$29,180$14.031.5
34Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers610$36,070$17.341.2
35Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks570$35,070$16.861.05
36Industrial Machinery Mechanics570$44,950$21.610.2
37Electricians550$48,040$23.090.45
38First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers550$30,260$14.550.6
39First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers550$51,930$24.970.95
40Cooks, Restaurant510$23,450$11.270.9
41Community and Social Service Occupations470$44,390$21.341.75
42First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers460$54,400$26.160.4
43First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers450$59,450$28.580.4
44Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators440$30,180$14.510.8
45Construction Laborers410$34,960$16.810.9
46Home Health and Personal Care Aides410$19,330$9.290
47Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers400$24,860$11.950.75
48Maintenance and Repair Workers, General400$34,530$16.60.9
49Cooks, Fast Food390$19,000$9.130.3
50Carpenters380$43,460$20.90.6
51Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic380$35,550$17.090
52Accountants and Auditors370$58,240$280.9
53Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria370$20,740$9.970.3
54Receptionists and Information Clerks360$26,410$12.70.7
55Machinists330$45,890$22.060.2
56Tellers330$29,060$13.970.25
57Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity310$19,570$9.410.3
58Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics300$39,160$18.830.5
59Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses300$38,050$18.290.5
60Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers300$39,390$18.940.4
61Helpers--Production Workers290$24,040$11.560.2
62Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers290$35,710$17.170.35
63Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations280$44,320$21.311.8
64Pharmacy Technicians270$28,210$13.560.3
65Driver/Sales Workers260$30,620$14.720.3
66First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers260$58,350$28.050.3
67Medical Assistants250$30,120$14.480.45
68Light Truck Drivers240$26,510$12.740.6
69Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants240$32,600$15.670.4
70Computer and Mathematical Occupations220$60,050$28.873
71Food Servers, Nonrestaurant220$19,730$9.480.2
72Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters220$53,200$25.580.3
73Amusement and Recreation Attendants210$18,790$9.040.2
74Childcare Workers210$19,400$9.330.7
75Insurance Sales Agents210$56,290$27.060.3
76Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters200$26,590$12.780
77Loan Officers200$63,480$30.520.2
78Nurse Practitioners200$92,650$44.540.1
79Counter and Rental Clerks190$25,070$12.050.3
80Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic190$32,940$15.840.1
81Medical and Health Services Managers190$75,330$36.220.3
82Postal Service Mail Carriers190$50,750$24.40.2
83Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel190$45,500$21.880.7
84Security Guards190$22,710$10.920.7
85Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists180$44,050$21.180.2
86Cooks, Short Order180$20,370$9.790.1
87Legal Occupations180$70,300$33.80.8
88Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations170$61,850$29.740.8
89Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks170$36,490$17.550.4
90First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors160$50,430$24.250.3
91Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers160$36,950$17.770.2
92Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop160$18,700$8.990.3
93Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators160$38,080$18.310.4
94Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners160$19,110$9.190.9
95Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators160$48,270$23.210.25
96Industrial Engineers150$87,450$42.050.2
97Dental Hygienists140$46,690$22.450.1
98Parts Salespersons140$31,450$15.120.2
99Child, Family, and School Social Workers130$40,580$19.510.2
100Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations130$32,950$15.840.65
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Florence Colleges
Florence colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Florence Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$39,35055,110
Production Occupations$37,0807,540
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$33,9106,990
Sales and Related Occupations$32,0806,720
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$20,9606,010
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$29,1504,590
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$65,5003,600
Construction and Extraction Occupations$43,9503,300
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$46,1103,220
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$44,5902,800
Cashiers$20,4302,160
Fast Food and Counter Workers$18,6301,920
Management Occupations$91,6001,910
Retail Salespersons$25,2001,850
Healthcare Support Occupations$25,9401,740
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$28,5701,490
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$26,7501,490
Registered Nurses$55,3501,410
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$65,3501,290
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$33,4501,270
Waiters and Waitresses$20,1101,200
Personal Care and Service Occupations$21,910990
Office Clerks, General$23,350980
Customer Service Representatives$35,560920
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$40,650870
Stockers and Order Fillers$25,900860
General and Operations Managers$101,730770
Protective Service Occupations$34,720760
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$75,530720
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$58,890690
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$37,260670
Nursing Assistants$22,990660
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$29,180630
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$36,070610
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$35,070570
Industrial Machinery Mechanics$44,950570
Electricians$48,040550
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$30,260550
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$51,930550
Cooks, Restaurant$23,450510
Community and Social Service Occupations$44,390470
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$54,400460
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$59,450450
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$30,180440
Construction Laborers$34,960410
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$19,330410
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$24,860400
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$34,530400
Cooks, Fast Food$19,000390
Carpenters$43,460380

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

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$39,35055,110
Production Occupations$37,0807,540
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$33,9106,990
Sales and Related Occupations$32,0806,720
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$29,1504,590
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$65,5003,600
Construction and Extraction Occupations$43,9503,300
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$46,1103,220
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$44,5902,800
Management Occupations$91,6001,910
Retail Salespersons$25,2001,850
Healthcare Support Occupations$25,9401,740
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$28,5701,490
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$26,7501,490
Registered Nurses$55,3501,410
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$65,3501,290
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$33,4501,270
Customer Service Representatives$35,560920
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$40,650870
Stockers and Order Fillers$25,900860
General and Operations Managers$101,730770
Protective Service Occupations$34,720760
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$75,530720
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$58,890690
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$37,260670
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$29,180630
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$36,070610
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$35,070570
Industrial Machinery Mechanics$44,950570
Electricians$48,040550
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$30,260550
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$51,930550
Community and Social Service Occupations$44,390470
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$54,400460
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$59,450450
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$30,180440
Construction Laborers$34,960410
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$34,530400
Carpenters$43,460380
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$35,550380
Accountants and Auditors$58,240370
Receptionists and Information Clerks$26,410360
Machinists$45,890330
Tellers$29,060330
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$39,160300
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$38,050300
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$39,390300
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$35,710290
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$44,320280
Pharmacy Technicians$28,210270

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