Northwest Florida offers a strategic and cost-effective location for fintech, finance, insurance and back-office operations. With average sector wages around $69,000, employers gain a talent cost advantage of approximately 12% compared to markets like Florida, Atlanta and the U.S. overall. That affordability is matched by workforce quality: the region draws from a deep talent pool that includes more than 5,200 veterans transitioning annually and graduates from top institutions including the University of West Florida, Florida State University and Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, the state’s only public HBCU.
And the sector continues to grow, supported by strong infrastructure, business-friendly policies, and a workforce trained for high-performance service environments, Northwest Florida is a smart choice for companies focused on scalability, retention and results.
Anchored by employers like:
Financial Services Employees
28,000+
Direct Commercial Flights to Major Cities – NYC, Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta, Dallas & More
25+
Average Wages in Financial Occupations (Below National Metro Averages)
$69,000
Northwest Florida’s talent pipeline is powered by business programs, strong two-year colleges and high school-to-career pathways that align with employer needs.
Top talent sources include:
The region also benefits from lower turnover and competitive labor costs compared to larger metros—helping your business scale without sacrificing quality.
Whether you’re seeking a Class A office environment, a business park with fiber and utilities or a tech-enabled coworking space, Northwest Florida offers flexible real estate and robust infrastructure.
The region also benefits from lower turnover and competitive labor costs compared to larger metros—helping your business scale without sacrificing quality.
LandrumHR, headquartered in Downtown Pensacola, is a fully-certified Professional Employer Organization (PEO). They manage human resources needs for 1,800 businesses in 44 states wtih services ranging from payroll and taxes to medical benefits to staffing and recruiting.
Navy Federal employs more than 8,000 people at their Pensacola operations campus. Their workplace has been recognized among "best places to work" by Fortune, Forbes, and Computerworld.
The St. Joe Company is a Northwest Florida based real estate developer and asset manager. The Company focuses on thoughtfully planned destinations to live, work, play, shop, and vacation near the region's beautiful white sand beaches. View the interactive map below for an overview of our current developments and assets.
Florida’s Great Northwest is here to enhance Northwest Florida’s competitive position through industry diversification and quality job growth. Whether you’re a company executive, site selector, or Northwest Floridian, contact us to learn how we can work together.
