Miami’s Top 10 Largest Employers
Here's a list of the top 10 companies employing the residents of Miami.
1. Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Industry: Education
Employees: 33,477
Founded in 1885, Miami-Dade County Public Schools is not only the largest school district in Florida, it’s also the largest school district in the Southeastern United States and the fourth largest in the country. With 415 schools, it’s easy to see how MDCPS has become the number one employer in the county.
2. University of Miami
Industry: Education
Employees: 14,604
A private university, the University of Miami now enrolls over 16,000 students from around the world. The university has three campuses, comprised of 11 schools and colleges, spanning over 400 acres in Miami-Dade County. An institution this large needs a large staff in just about every department. From faculty and educators to facility maintenance, social workers to graphic designers, administration to graduate assistants, UM employs over 14,000 workers.
3. Baptist Health South Florida
Industry: Health Care
Employees: 14,000
One of the largest health care organizations in South Florida, Baptist Health South Florida has seven hospitals and over 30 facilities, spanning three counties. Employing between approximately 14,000 people, the hospital has become the largest non-profit healthcare organization in the region.
4. American Airlines
Industry: Aviation
Employees: 11,353
In 2015, American Airlines had their biggest hiring surge in over a decade. They recruited over 8,700 workers throughout the company. Even in Miami alone, American Airlines has a huge presence. About 26.4 million passengers fly AA through Miami International Airport, resulting in 70% of the market share at MIA.
5. Jackson Health System
Industry: Health Care
Employees: 9,797
The second health system organization to make the list, Jackson Health System employs over 9,000 people in Miami. After four consecutive years with a budget surplus, Jackson is expecting to grow even more in 2016 with plans to open 8 to 12 urgent care centers throughout Miami-Dade County.
6. Florida International University
Industry: Education
Employees: 5,740
Although Florida International University comes in 6th on this list, they actually have one of the highest populations of undergrads in the country with over 40,000 as of Fall of 2014. To keep with such a large student body, FIU is a major employer in the community, employing over 5,700 people in Miami. In fact, 4,800 of those jobs are full-time positions, a 6.15% increase from the year before.
7. Carnival Cruise Lines
Industry: Tourism
Employees: 3,500
Based on the number of passengers per year, annual revenue, and the total number of ships in its fleet, Carnival Cruise Lines has the largest cruise line in the world. With 24 vessels, taking up 21.1% of the worldwide market share, Carnival staffs more than 3,500 people in Miami.
8. Miami Children’s Hospital
Industry: Health Care
Employees: 3,500
Miami Children’s Hospital was renamed Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in March of 2015. The Hospital is Florida’s only free-standing pediatric trauma center. Offering more than 40 pediatric specialties, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is home to a medical staff of over 650 physicians and 3,500 employees.
9. Mount Sinai Medical Center
Industry: Health Care
Employees: 3,500
Mount Sinai Medical Center is a 672-bed hospital, with 5 satellite locations throughout Miami-Dade County. With more than 700 physicians, 3,500 employees, and 500 volunteers, it’s the largest private independent not-for-profit teaching hospital in South Florida.
10. Florida Power & Light Company
Industry: Utilities
Employees: 3,011
The 3rd largest electric utility company in the United States, Florida Power & Light Company serves 4.8 million customers in Florida. Although FPL is headquartered in Juno Beach, over 3,000 employees are staffed in the Miami area.