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.

Jobs in Fort Walton Beach

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations112540$45,980$22.1100
2Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations17100$26,900$12.938.7
3Sales and Related Occupations15780$34,300$16.499.5
4Office and Administrative Support Occupations13320$35,680$17.1513.75
5Business and Financial Operations Occupations6590$71,990$34.615.35
6Retail Salespersons6210$28,460$13.682.7
7Management Occupations6010$88,510$42.566.35
8Educational Instruction and Library Occupations5940$55,350$26.616
9Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations5870$45,230$21.743.75
10Transportation and Material Moving Occupations5780$32,820$15.786.7
11Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations5550$69,540$33.435.85
12Construction and Extraction Occupations4910$42,130$20.264.6
13Waiters and Waitresses4860$27,580$13.261.65
14Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations4340$29,120$143.6
15Fast Food and Counter Workers4310$22,890$11.012.45
16Computer and Mathematical Occupations3840$87,000$41.833
17Cashiers3780$22,820$10.972.2
18Protective Service Occupations3350$42,200$20.292.2
19Architecture and Engineering Occupations3120$88,120$42.371.7
20Healthcare Support Occupations2750$32,650$15.72.85
21Production Occupations2640$36,640$17.625.6
22Cooks, Restaurant2550$27,970$13.450.9
23Office Clerks, General2300$32,720$15.731.9
24Personal Care and Service Occupations2300$27,210$13.084.65
25Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other2170$77,300$37.160.7
26General and Operations Managers1940$83,800$40.291.5
27Stockers and Order Fillers1830$27,550$13.241.25
28First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers1770$41,810$20.10.95
29Customer Service Representatives1650$32,700$15.721.75
30Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive1640$34,670$16.671.4
31Registered Nurses1630$60,460$29.071.95
32Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners1540$27,580$13.261.5
33Maintenance and Repair Workers, General1510$38,600$18.560.9
34First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers1440$36,890$17.740.6
35Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners1310$24,530$11.790.9
36Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks1230$36,110$17.361.05
37Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers1200$105,860$50.90.65
38First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers1190$47,480$22.830.95
39Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand1030$27,710$13.321.8
40Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations1000$45,740$21.991.8
41Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers970$32,430$15.590.75
42Community and Social Service Occupations950$44,340$21.321.75
43Nursing Assistants920$27,680$13.310.95
44Receptionists and Information Clerks850$30,950$14.880.7
45Light Truck Drivers820$36,480$17.540.6
46Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products810$51,490$24.750.85
47Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations770$75,120$36.120.8
48Food Preparation Workers760$26,650$12.810.5
49Bartenders750$27,450$13.20.4
50Security Guards750$34,360$16.520.7
51Construction Laborers730$31,320$15.060.9
52Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics720$43,180$20.760.5
53Amusement and Recreation Attendants700$25,700$12.360.2
54Correctional Officers and Jailers700$36,660$17.620.25
55Home Health and Personal Care Aides700$24,680$11.870
56Management Analysts650$89,310$42.940.55
57Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel640$49,530$23.810.7
58Accountants and Auditors630$63,740$30.650.9
59Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses610$38,670$18.590.5
60Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers600$45,580$21.910.4
61Legal Occupations590$75,660$36.380.8
62Computer User Support Specialists560$60,460$29.070.4
63First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers550$60,850$29.260.4
64Electricians540$50,120$24.10.45
65Food Service Managers540$52,500$25.240.2
66Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers540$41,730$20.061.2
67Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks530$23,120$11.120.15
68Dishwashers520$23,390$11.250.3
69Firefighters520$43,240$20.790.2
70Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop520$22,870$10.990.3
71First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers510$58,740$28.240.3
72Buyers and Purchasing Agents460$78,240$37.610.25
73Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers450$60,500$29.090.2
74Counter and Rental Clerks440$28,530$13.720.3
75Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers440$22,640$10.880.3
76Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers430$44,380$21.340.2
77Tellers420$32,120$15.440.25
78Computer Occupations, All Other390$76,970$370.3
79Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists390$28,070$13.490.4
80Carpenters380$39,030$18.760.6
81Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians370$65,750$31.610.1
82Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators370$34,880$16.770.8
83Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents370$80,180$38.550.3
84Training and Development Specialists370$66,710$32.070.2
85Construction Managers360$78,590$37.780.3
86Electronics Engineers, Except Computer360$98,810$47.50.1
87Insurance Sales Agents350$48,760$23.440.3
88Medical Assistants350$33,980$16.340.45
89Personal Service Managers, All Other; Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling; and Managers, All Other350$97,730$46.990.7
90Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters350$41,580$19.990.3
91Computer Systems Analysts340$88,290$42.450.4
92Lawyers320$98,310$47.270.5
93Information and Record Clerks, All Other310$43,330$20.830.1
94Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education310$27,730$13.330.3
95Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity300$29,190$14.040.3
96Aerospace Engineers290$98,510$47.360
97Civil Engineers290$89,680$43.120.2
98Computer and Information Systems Managers290$138,430$66.550.3
99Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians290$66,730$32.080.1
100Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants290$37,630$18.090.4
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Fort Walton Beach Colleges
Fort Walton Beach colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Fort Walton Beach Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$45,980112,540
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$26,90017,100
Sales and Related Occupations$34,30015,780
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$35,68013,320
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$71,9906,590
Retail Salespersons$28,4606,210
Management Occupations$88,5106,010
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$55,3505,940
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$45,2305,870
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$32,8205,780
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$69,5405,550
Construction and Extraction Occupations$42,1304,910
Waiters and Waitresses$27,5804,860
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$29,1204,340
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,8904,310
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$87,0003,840
Cashiers$22,8203,780
Protective Service Occupations$42,2003,350
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$88,1203,120
Healthcare Support Occupations$32,6502,750
Production Occupations$36,6402,640
Cooks, Restaurant$27,9702,550
Office Clerks, General$32,7202,300
Personal Care and Service Occupations$27,2102,300
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$77,3002,170
General and Operations Managers$83,8001,940
Stockers and Order Fillers$27,5501,830
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$41,8101,770
Customer Service Representatives$32,7001,650
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$34,6701,640
Registered Nurses$60,4601,630
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$27,5801,540
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$38,6001,510
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$36,8901,440
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$24,5301,310
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$36,1101,230
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$105,8601,200
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$47,4801,190
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$27,7101,030
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$45,7401,000
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$32,430970
Community and Social Service Occupations$44,340950
Nursing Assistants$27,680920
Receptionists and Information Clerks$30,950850
Light Truck Drivers$36,480820
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$51,490810
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$75,120770
Food Preparation Workers$26,650760
Bartenders$27,450750
Security Guards$34,360750

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

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$45,980112,540
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$26,90017,100
Sales and Related Occupations$34,30015,780
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$35,68013,320
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$71,9906,590
Retail Salespersons$28,4606,210
Management Occupations$88,5106,010
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$55,3505,940
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$45,2305,870
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$32,8205,780
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$69,5405,550
Construction and Extraction Occupations$42,1304,910
Waiters and Waitresses$27,5804,860
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$29,1204,340
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$87,0003,840
Protective Service Occupations$42,2003,350
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$88,1203,120
Healthcare Support Occupations$32,6502,750
Production Occupations$36,6402,640
Cooks, Restaurant$27,9702,550
Office Clerks, General$32,7202,300
Personal Care and Service Occupations$27,2102,300
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$77,3002,170
General and Operations Managers$83,8001,940
Stockers and Order Fillers$27,5501,830
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$41,8101,770
Customer Service Representatives$32,7001,650
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$34,6701,640
Registered Nurses$60,4601,630
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$27,5801,540
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$38,6001,510
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$36,8901,440
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$36,1101,230
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$105,8601,200
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$47,4801,190
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$27,7101,030
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$45,7401,000
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$32,430970
Community and Social Service Occupations$44,340950
Nursing Assistants$27,680920
Receptionists and Information Clerks$30,950850
Light Truck Drivers$36,480820
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$51,490810
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$75,120770
Food Preparation Workers$26,650760
Bartenders$27,450750
Security Guards$34,360750
Construction Laborers$31,320730
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$43,180720
Amusement and Recreation Attendants$25,700700

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