Sarasota Employment

Employment and Industries in the Sarasota, Florida Area

Tourism is the primary element of Sarasota's economy. A large number of jobs are provided by manufacturing industries including wood products, hydraulic valves, machine parts, magnetic sensors, aviation equipment and electronics. Software development firms also provide numerous jobs in the Sarasota area. Companies involved in the shipping industry, including citrus provide employment. Education, healthcare and social services are also prominent sectors for employment. Management, professional and related occupations provide 27% of the jobs and about 25% of the workforce are in sales and office jobs.

Some of the jobs more common in Sarasota than most of the nation's other cities include construction and related workers, zoologists and wildlife biologists, fiberglass laminators and fabricators, skin care specialists, pest control specialists, ophthalmic laboratory technicians, tile and marble setters and nuclear medicine technologists.

Accolades for Sarasota: The city has been named by Forbes Magazine as the 44th best places to live and do business out of the largest 150 metro areas in the nation. Expansion Magazine ranked Sarasota as the sixth best metropolitan area for standard of living in the nation. Money Magazine named Sarasota as the country's best small city. Entrepreneur Magazine ranked Sarasota as the sixth best medium-sized city in the nation.

The Young Professional Group is a popular Sarasota County networking organization for professionals from 21 to 40 years of age. The organization has over 800 members from a wide variety of careers and industries.

The largest employers in the Sarasota area:

  • Publix - Grocery store chain
  • School Board of Education - Education
  • Tropicana Products Inc - Fruit juice producer
  • Bon Secours - Venice Hospital & Healthcare
  • PGT Industries - Manufacturer of custom doors, windows and patio rooms
  • Walmart - Retail
  • Winn Dixie - Grocery store chain
  • Doctors Hospital of Sarasota - Hospital and outpatient services & affiliates
  • Sun Hydraulics - Designer and manufacturer of hydraulic cartridge valves and manifolds
  • Dooley and Mack Constructors Inc - Construction managers, general contractors
  • Vengroff Williams & Associations Inc - Credit and collection agency; accounts receivable management
  • Pinnacle Towers Inc - Telecommunication tower acquisition and site management
  • W.G. Mills Inc - Construction manager, general contractor
  • Taylor Woodrow Inc - Community developer
  • Comdial Corporation - Develops and markets communications solutions for businesses and government organizations
  • L-3 Communications Aviation Recorders- Manufactures cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders.
  • Administrative Concepts Corp- Employee administration

Noteworthy information about Sarasota: In 2008 the cost of living index was 90.9 which is less than the nation's average of 100. In 2009 the average salary was $25,000. About 17% of the residents have a bachelor's degree and approximately 9% have a graduate degree. Sarasota is a popular retirement area.

Sarasota companies have access to business organizations such as:

The Herald-Tribune offers up-to-date information regarding the business activities in Sarasota.

Jobs in Sarasota

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations303850$46,040$22.13100
2Office and Administrative Support Occupations41150$38,310$18.4213.75
3Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations37210$28,810$13.858.7
4Sales and Related Occupations35660$39,050$18.779.5
5Transportation and Material Moving Occupations22320$32,300$15.536.7
6Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations20820$77,490$37.265.85
7Construction and Extraction Occupations18280$41,520$19.964.6
8Healthcare Support Occupations17410$31,620$15.22.85
9Management Occupations14620$104,250$50.126.35
10Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations13820$43,350$20.843.75
11Business and Financial Operations Occupations13640$71,520$34.385.35
12Educational Instruction and Library Occupations12440$46,230$22.236
13Production Occupations12390$36,510$17.555.6
14Retail Salespersons12310$29,650$14.252.7
15Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations11710$31,780$15.283.6
16Fast Food and Counter Workers9240$24,970$122.45
17Personal Care and Service Occupations8550$32,310$15.534.65
18Cashiers8330$23,540$11.322.2
19Waiters and Waitresses7790$31,000$14.911.65
20Office Clerks, General7390$34,130$16.411.9
21Home Health and Personal Care Aides7380$25,360$12.190
22Registered Nurses7090$67,770$32.581.95
23Protective Service Occupations6390$46,970$22.582.2
24Customer Service Representatives5970$34,260$16.471.75
25General and Operations Managers5390$108,330$52.081.5
26Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand5250$29,180$14.031.8
27Stockers and Order Fillers5030$27,770$13.351.25
28Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive4850$38,010$18.271.4
29Nursing Assistants4790$30,740$14.780.95
30Computer and Mathematical Occupations4600$83,380$40.093
31Cooks, Restaurant4380$29,840$14.350.9
32Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers4290$32,480$15.620.75
33Maintenance and Repair Workers, General4140$40,330$19.390.9
34Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks3700$41,610$20.011.05
35Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products3480$55,500$26.680.85
36Construction Laborers3350$37,120$17.840.9
37First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers3290$54,550$26.230.95
38First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers3150$49,210$23.660.95
39Receptionists and Information Clerks2840$31,100$14.950.7
40Community and Social Service Occupations2820$46,760$22.481.75
41Food Preparation Workers2740$26,280$12.630.5
42Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners2740$26,250$12.621.5
43Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators2720$33,750$16.230.8
44First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers2650$42,120$20.250.6
45Legal Occupations2460$99,770$47.970.8
46Architecture and Engineering Occupations2450$72,540$34.871.7
47Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses2390$44,660$21.470.5
48Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel2330$67,380$32.390.7
49Carpenters2280$38,350$18.440.6
50Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers2250$39,260$18.881.2
51Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners2250$26,630$12.80.9
52Security Guards2250$27,680$13.310.7
53Light Truck Drivers2160$35,230$16.940.6
54Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other2070$66,670$32.050.7
55Accountants and Auditors2030$67,450$32.430.9
56Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics1990$41,080$19.750.5
57First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers1880$64,950$31.220.4
58Medical Assistants1830$36,910$17.750.45
59Bartenders1810$31,370$15.080.4
60Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists1810$32,320$15.540.4
61Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop1680$23,060$11.090.3
62Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers1640$22,050$10.60.3
63Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters1570$41,230$19.820.3
64Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers1550$42,740$20.550.2
65Packers and Packagers, Hand1540$22,510$10.820.4
66Roofers1510$34,050$16.370.1
67Food Servers, Nonrestaurant1490$24,220$11.650.2
68Dishwashers1480$24,360$11.710.3
69Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers1410$111,490$53.60.65
70Lawyers1340$140,520$67.560.5
71Electricians1320$47,780$22.970.45
72Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists1300$59,920$28.810.45
73Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers1290$62,070$29.840.4
74Amusement and Recreation Attendants1270$22,800$10.960.2
75Substitute Teachers, Short-Term1260$33,610$16.160.4
76Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants1230$34,920$16.790.4
77Management Analysts1220$85,570$41.140.55
78Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations1100$66,280$31.860.8
79Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks1100$32,620$15.690.4
80Medical Dosimetrists, Medical Records Specialists, and Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other1070$39,410$18.950
81Computer User Support Specialists1040$52,730$25.350.4
82Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors1030$44,870$21.570.2
83Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment1020$26,150$12.570.3
84Billing and Posting Clerks1010$38,560$18.540.3
85First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers980$55,800$26.830.3
86Human Resources Specialists980$60,270$28.980.4
87Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity980$28,560$13.730.3
88Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants970$48,020$23.090.35
89Painters, Construction and Maintenance970$38,620$18.570.2
90Paralegals and Legal Assistants970$44,670$21.480.2
91Insurance Sales Agents920$63,140$30.360.3
92Recreation Workers920$30,630$14.730.3
93First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers900$57,680$27.730.4
94Financial Managers890$117,560$56.520.4
95Counter and Rental Clerks870$32,220$15.490.3
96Firefighters850$56,910$27.360.2
97Dental Assistants840$43,310$20.820.2
98Pharmacy Technicians840$34,040$16.370.3
99Postal Service Mail Carriers840$52,010$250.2
100Chief Executives830$157,130$75.550.15
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
You are visiting:

Additional Details

Sarasota Colleges
Sarasota colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Sarasota Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$46,040303,850
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$38,31041,150
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$28,81037,210
Sales and Related Occupations$39,05035,660
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$32,30022,320
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$77,49020,820
Construction and Extraction Occupations$41,52018,280
Healthcare Support Occupations$31,62017,410
Management Occupations$104,25014,620
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$43,35013,820
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$71,52013,640
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$46,23012,440
Production Occupations$36,51012,390
Retail Salespersons$29,65012,310
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$31,78011,710
Fast Food and Counter Workers$24,9709,240
Personal Care and Service Occupations$32,3108,550
Cashiers$23,5408,330
Waiters and Waitresses$31,0007,790
Office Clerks, General$34,1307,390
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$25,3607,380
Registered Nurses$67,7707,090
Protective Service Occupations$46,9706,390
Customer Service Representatives$34,2605,970
General and Operations Managers$108,3305,390
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$29,1805,250
Stockers and Order Fillers$27,7705,030
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$38,0104,850
Nursing Assistants$30,7404,790
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$83,3804,600
Cooks, Restaurant$29,8404,380
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$32,4804,290
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$40,3304,140
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$41,6103,700
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$55,5003,480
Construction Laborers$37,1203,350
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$54,5503,290
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$49,2103,150
Receptionists and Information Clerks$31,1002,840
Community and Social Service Occupations$46,7602,820
Food Preparation Workers$26,2802,740
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$26,2502,740
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$33,7502,720
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$42,1202,650
Legal Occupations$99,7702,460
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$72,5402,450
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$44,6602,390
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$67,3802,330
Carpenters$38,3502,280
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$39,2602,250

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

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$46,040303,850
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$38,31041,150
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$28,81037,210
Sales and Related Occupations$39,05035,660
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$32,30022,320
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$77,49020,820
Construction and Extraction Occupations$41,52018,280
Healthcare Support Occupations$31,62017,410
Management Occupations$104,25014,620
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$43,35013,820
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$71,52013,640
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$46,23012,440
Production Occupations$36,51012,390
Retail Salespersons$29,65012,310
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$31,78011,710
Personal Care and Service Occupations$32,3108,550
Waiters and Waitresses$31,0007,790
Office Clerks, General$34,1307,390
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$25,3607,380
Registered Nurses$67,7707,090
Protective Service Occupations$46,9706,390
Customer Service Representatives$34,2605,970
General and Operations Managers$108,3305,390
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$29,1805,250
Stockers and Order Fillers$27,7705,030
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$38,0104,850
Nursing Assistants$30,7404,790
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$83,3804,600
Cooks, Restaurant$29,8404,380
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$32,4804,290
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$40,3304,140
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$41,6103,700
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$55,5003,480
Construction Laborers$37,1203,350
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$54,5503,290
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$49,2103,150
Receptionists and Information Clerks$31,1002,840
Community and Social Service Occupations$46,7602,820
Food Preparation Workers$26,2802,740
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$26,2502,740
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$33,7502,720
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$42,1202,650
Legal Occupations$99,7702,460
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$72,5402,450
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$44,6602,390
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$67,3802,330
Carpenters$38,3502,280
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$39,2602,250
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$26,6302,250
Security Guards$27,6802,250

Career and College Resources on CityTownInfo

Real-World Career Reports

Career Stories from workers: daily activities, job tips, best/worst job aspects, training, etc.
Daily Career & Education News from our staff. We're an approved Google News provider!

Career References and Original Articles

Resource Center. A starting point for all CityTownInfo career and college resources.
Career Overviews of hundreds of careers: descriptions, salaries, forecasts, schools, more.
Best Careers Not Requiring Degrees: Good pay, job growth, low need for degrees.
Helpful Articles, many in "how-to" format; e.g., "How to Become a Chef".
Infographics covering employment and educational trends.

College Directories and Lists

These lists link to thousands of detailed school profiles.

Colleges by State. Nearly every college and trade school in the country.
Colleges Listed Alphabetically. About 7,000 colleges & trade schools, including online schools.
Colleges by Major City. Browse cities with multiple college options.
Online Colleges. Colleges with online degree programs.
Graduate Schools by State. Colleges offering graduate degree programs.
Graduate Schools by Major City. Find cities with multiple graduate school options.