Employment

Florida’s Employment Statistics

The Jacksonville area has a regional workforce pool of about 871,000 in the seven-county area, with nearly 971,000 residing in Jacksonville itself. This labor force continues to grow with college graduates, about 3,000 military separations and a steady influx of new residents. Jacksonville's median age of 36.4 also makes this workforce one of Florida's youngest. The current unemployment rate for the Jacksonville area is about 3.40% as of June 2024.

About 11% of Jacksonville employees work for finance, insurance or real estate services companies, greater than state and Metropolitan Statistical Area percentages; 10% of Jacksonville employees work for supply chain logistics-related companies in the warehousing, transportation and wholesale trade sectors, greater than the state and MSA percentages.

Jacksonville's assets include an international airport, a seaport and intersecting major interstate highways interstates 10 and 95. The corporate headquarters for CSX Railroad Transportation services is in Jacksonville, and the city is home to several major distribution companies. Another major asset is the Jacksonville Jaguars, our National Football League franchise team, which has helped put Jacksonville on the national map.

Major Employers

Major employers non-manufacturing are Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport, Duval County Public Schools, the state of Florida, the city of Jacksonville; Jacksonville Port Authority aviation and seaport, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Bank of America, CSX, Wachovia Bank, Modis Professional Services, MPS Group Staffing and Consulting Solutions, Fidelity National Financial, Landstar Transportation Logistics Systems, PSS World Medical and ProLogistix. There are a variety of major hospitals and clinics such as Ascension St. Vincent's, Baptist Health, Mayo Clinic, UF Health, and others that have a multitude of employment opportunities as well.

Major employers (manufacturing) include the Fleet Readiness Center Southeast, Florida Publishing, Crowley Maritime, Anheuser Busch Co., Armor Holdings, Florida Rock Industries Inc., Northrop/Grumman, St. Augustine Corporation, Rayonier and Unison Industries, and others.

Employment Prospects

Public school teachers are in high demand. Staffing agencies remain good sources for employment. Banking occupations are good. Registered nurses are always in high demand. Home health care and medical service-related occupations, especially billing and coding, are in demand.

Employment Assistance

Eligible military family members may contact the Family Employment Readiness Program Specialist for employment assistance and additional information about potential employment opportunities. Refer to contact information in the employment overview article.

Frequent relocation due to the mobile military lifestyle creates career challenges for military spouses. The Fleet and Family Support Center is a great place to start and/or organize your job-hunting efforts.

Spouse employment is a key issue for Department of Defense leadership because many military personnel make retention decisions based on their families' financial stability. 

The FFSC maintains a full-featured Career Resource Center/lab to provide assistance to active-duty military and their family members in all aspects of their job search strategies. A list of employers both aboard Naval Air Station Jacksonville and the local community is maintained, along with a reference library and over 20 computers with internet access and all CAC card capable.

Services available include:

• Career counseling
• Resume writing
• Interview techniques
• Federal employment
• Networking skills
• Employment referrals
• Education opportunities
• Myers-Briggs assessment

Many other helpful and valuable resources are available:

• Visit the USAJOBS website for information about government job opportunities.
• Visit the Military OneSource website and check out the spouse training, education and career section.
• The Military Spouse Corporate Career Network is a nonprofit corporate direct-hire and training program supported by a nationwide network of employers. It is operated under contract by the Department of Defense and contains information on everything from job searching to career advice.
• Visit the Military Spouse Education and Career Opportunities website.
• Visit the Military Spouse Employment Partnership, which connects military spouses with hundreds of partner employers who have committed to recruit, hire, promote and retain military spouses.

Job Fairs / Career Fairs

A semi-annual job fair is hosted in collaboration with the Fleet and Family Support Centers of Naval Air Station Jacksonville; Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay, Georgia; and Naval Station Mayport. These military-community only job fairs are slated for March and September each year and have been held at the University of North Florida (campus) for the past numerous cycles.

The career fair brings employers together at a central location and gives service members and their families a chance to learn more about employment opportunities in the area. Employers offer job information, accept applications and also may conduct interviews. The Family Employment Readiness Program and transition program leads from the three naval bases located in the North Florida/South Georgia region coordinate the career fair. We usually have more than 100 local and nationwide employers represented, including veterans service organizations and DOD Skillbridge-approved programs.

This event is for active-duty, separating, retiring and retired service members, military spouses, family members and separated service members up to 180 days after separation date are eligible to attend. Attendees are encouraged to bring several copies of their resumes, dress for a potential interview, and bring your military identification or proof of military service for entrance into the job fair.

The Transition Assistance Program at the Fleet and Family Support Center was created to help service members and their families make informed decisions about leaving the Navy. It is designed to make their transitions as smooth as possible. Service members are required by law to complete pre-separation counseling no later than 90 days prior to separation and are advised to start this process at least 12 months prior to separation and 12-24 months prior to retirement.

TAP covers Information about transitioning from the military to the private sector as well as benefit entitlements, stress reactions, and various topics related to separating or retiring from the service.

TAP programs and resources:

• Individual counseling
• Resumes and cover letters
• Electronic job bank and internet access
• Veterans Administration benefits
• Job fairs
• Federal employment, federal resume 
• Interviewing skills
• Separation pay issues and budgeting
• Career Options and Navy Skills Evaluation Program (CONSEP) for first-termers
• Career Options and Navy Skills Evaluation Program (CONSEP) for mid-termers

Note: CONSEP was created to assist service members in all stages of their Navy careers to make informed decisions about their futures. The class is administered in stages and there are certain requirements for each stage. Experienced instructors teach different topics with the main emphasis on self-assessment, personal financial planning, Navy career options and civilian career planning. The course has helped many Sailors make the tough decision between separating and re-enlisting. For more information, contact the TAP program Lead at 904-542-4977.

Persons eligible are active-duty and reserves.  Service members interested in having their military spouse attend must request that “seat” in advance due to limited seating.  Active duty must register through their command career counselors.

MyCAA

For information on My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) and Military Spouse Education and Career Opportunities, visit Military OneSource.

To file for unemployment in Florida, visit the Florida unemployment claims website or call the claims assistance center toll free at 833-352-7759.

Public school teachers are in high demand. According to Salary.com. the average public school teacher salary in Jacksonville, Florida, is $55,067 as of June 2024; the range typically is $44,969 to 65,672, but ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills and the number of years you have spent in your profession.

With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target. Staffing agencies remain good sources for employment (clerical to telemarketing). Registered nurses are always in high demand. Home health care and medical service-related occupations, especially billing and coding, are in demand as well.