Quick Answer: The University of Florida (UF) employs approximately 30,000 people in Gainesville across the academic, research, and UF Health Shands enterprises. The campus-only workforce (excluding UF Health Shands) is roughly 17,000. Pay ranges from $15–$22/hr for service positions to $200,000+ for senior faculty. Apply through jobs.ufl.edu. UF offers state-employee benefits including the Florida Retirement System (FRS) pension and tuition assistance.
Working at UF
The University of Florida is a Carnegie R1 SEC public flagship and the largest employer in north-central Florida. The campus and IFAS Extension support approximately 30,000 employees including UF Health Shands, the affiliated academic medical center. UF Health Shands is covered separately in our Healthcare hub; the campus-only workforce is approximately 17,000.
How to Apply at UF
- Create an account at jobs.ufl.edu.
- Search by job category (Staff, Faculty, Temporary, Student).
- Prepare resume, cover letter, and references.
- Submit through the portal — background check required.
UF Pay Ranges
| Role | Pay |
|---|---|
| Custodial / Food Service / Grounds | $15–$22/hr |
| Skilled Trades | $24–$38/hr |
| Administrative Assistant | $34,000–$48,000 |
| Mid-career Manager | $60,000–$95,000 |
| Director | $100,000–$170,000+ |
| Assistant Professor | $80,000–$125,000 |
| Associate Professor | $95,000–$145,000 |
| Full Professor (humanities) | $120,000–$185,000 |
| Full Professor (medicine, engineering, business) | $170,000–$350,000+ |
Benefits at UF
Health insurance: Multiple state-administered medical plans plus dental and vision.
Retirement: Florida Retirement System (FRS) Pension Plan or FRS Investment Plan.
Tuition assistance: UF offers an Employee Education Program that provides tuition assistance for eligible employees taking UF coursework. Confirm specifics with HR.
How to Ask About Tuition Assistance
- Wait for the interview stage.
- Ask about UF’s Employee Education Program: course cap, eligibility, and any service requirement.
- Confirm specifics in writing in the offer letter.
- Note that UF’s program is more limited than full tuition remission — many institutions cap to a set number of credit hours per term.
Unions at UF
Florida is a right-to-work state with limited public-sector collective bargaining. UF has some unionization:
- UFF (United Faculty of Florida) — faculty bargaining unit at most Florida public universities including UF
- AFSCME — some service worker categories
- Skilled Trades — trades workers through respective national craft unions and Florida locals
UF Health Shands has separate union structures covered in our Healthcare hub. Skilled trades workers at UF often pursue apprenticeships through Florida union locals — see our Learn a Trade hub for guides on IBEW electrical training, plumber and HVAC apprenticeships, and other building-trade pathways, plus our Union vs Non-Union Apprenticeship comparison.
Student Employment
UF employs thousands of students in residence halls, dining, library, recreation, and academic departments at hourly rates aligned with the Florida minimum wage. Graduate students may serve as Graduate Assistants with tuition waiver and stipends.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply at UF?
Create an account at jobs.ufl.edu, search by category, and submit your application materials.
What is the average pay at UF?
Service $15–$22/hr; mid-career staff $60,000–$95,000; faculty $80,000–$350,000+ depending on rank and discipline.
Does UF offer tuition benefits?
Yes — the Employee Education Program provides tuition assistance for eligible employees taking UF coursework. Confirm specifics with HR.
Are UF jobs unionized?
Some categories. UFF represents faculty; AFSCME represents some service workers. Florida is a right-to-work state with limited collective bargaining.
What’s the difference between UF and UF Health Shands jobs?
UF Health Shands is a separate academic medical-center workforce. See our Healthcare hub for UF Health Shands.