As the employment hub of North Central Florida, Alachua County offers an experienced, regional labor force more than 122,000. An additional 60,000 University of Florida and Santa Fe Community College students provide employers with a seasonal, part-time labor force.

Alachua County's economic base not only provides employment for local residents, but also for people from several surrounding counties. As a result of lower average wages and salary earnings per job in these communities, many commute outside their county of residence for employment. A recent report declared that approximatly 18,000 people commute to Alachua County for work.

The county's strong education offers employers a highly-skilled labor force. SFCC graduates more than 2,000 students each year ready to begin careers in technology and applied sciences, while TechPrep, an innovative program sponsored by the Alachua County School Board, SFCC and the local business community, allows high school students to gain technical skills in the field of their choice while also attending classes needed to graduate.

Gainesville, the employment center of North Central Florida, hosts many diversified businesses. Many of these businesses utilize the exceptional research facilities at the University of Florida to develop new technologies in medicine, agriculture and engineering.

The area’s major businesses include Nationwide Insurance’s 1,058 employee regional office, Shands Hosiptal employing 8,225 people and North Florida Regional Medical Center’s 1,560 employee healthcare facility. Other area employers include Exactech, Nordstrom, and Dollar General Distribution Center.