Tallahassee Job Guide: The Best Careers in Tallahassee, Florida

Tallahassee is the capital of one of the country's most economically important states, Florida. As of 2008, Tallahassee had a population of almost 172,000 residents, while the Tallahassee Metropolitan area topped 355,000. In recent years, the city has distinguished itself as a regional epicenter for trade, manufacturing and high-tech industries. Industries like computer hardware, telecommunications and computer software have all found a home in Tallahassee. The city is also an important city for scientific research, with several research institutions, organizations and laboratories located in the city. Tallahassee has received numerous awards in connection with its ability to foster business, including being ranked as one of the best places for both business and careers by Forbes Magazine.

Tallahassee has a highly educated workforce, with about 45% of its residents holding at least a bachelor's degree. Some careers that are popular among Tallahassee area graduates are in line with the growing fields in the city; they include accountants and auditors, registered nurses, systems analysts and computer programmers. The cost of living in the city is also relatively low, making it an attractive city for many people looking to begin a career or distinguish themselves in their field. Some of the city's most major employers are in the education field, including Florida State University, Leon County Schools, Florida A&M University and Tallahassee Community College. Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, Spring and Figg Engineering Group are also major employers.

By almost 1,500 employees, management analyst is by far the most popular career choice among educated Tallahassee residents. Sometimes known as a management consultant, these professionals work to help companies increase profits, reorganize its structure or improve efficiency. For the most part, management analysts are hired when a company is looking to become more competitive in their market. Management analysts are unique in that 27% of them are self-employed, making it an excellent career choice for anyone looking for a career with freedom and flexibility.

There are almost 5,000 management analysts in Tallahassee today, each one earning an average salary of about $53,000 a year. Experience analysts can earn upwards of $78,000 a year. About 78% of management analysts nationwide hold at least a bachelor's degree, so a proper education is necessary to succeed in this field. While there is no narrow, defined course to becoming a management analyst, it is generally expected that you hold a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) to truly be competitive.

The high-tech field is another essential piece in Tallahassee's economic puzzle. There are several national and regional companies with headquarters and branches in the city. For example, Mainline Information Systems maintains its headquarters in Tallahassee. The company employs about 650 people in the city and earns more than half a billion dollars each year. Datamaxxx Group is another large tech company with headquarters in Tallahassee.

Computer programmers are fairly prevalent in Tallahassee. There are over 800 men and women in the profession today, making it the 11^th most popular career choice among educated professionals in the city. On average, a computer programmer in Tallahassee earns about $56,000 a year, with salaries extending over $78,000 for hardworking, experienced employees. Computer systems analyst is even more popular, with almost 1,000 individuals earning about $60,000 a year. These analysts can earn up to $86,000 a year. Even more popular is the position of network systems analyst, with 1,050 of them employed in Tallahassee today. On average, these professionals earn about $52,000 a year with salaries reaching as high as $76,000. While some of the job duties overlap, network systems analysts are more popular and the career is more easily attained. However, with time, a network systems analyst could easily cross over to become a computer systems analyst.

Sources:
To read more about Tallahassee Job Guide click here. College Degree Report will offer you a variety of Florida career, salary and employment info. To find out if the fastest growing occupations, click on United States Department of Labor, Employment Projections.