Santa Clarita Valley's Largest Employers: 2024 Edition

Unlocking Economic Potential: A Close Look at Santa Clarita Valley's Largest Employers of 2024

In a world that often feels like a whirlwind of economic challenges and opportunities, it's always refreshing to pause and take stock of the forces that keep our communities thriving. One such driving force is the businesses and their employees that make up our diverse community. The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation (SCVEDC), an organization dedicated to fostering sustainable growth and prosperity in the Santa Clarita Valley, once again unveils its annual Largest Employer List for the Santa Clarita Valley. This list, combined with our Economic Outlook data book, helps shine a light on the vibrant economic landscape of our unique corner of Southern California.

Now, you might wonder why a list of employers could be so intriguing. Well, picture this: each name on the list represents hundreds, if not thousands, of livelihoods. These employers are not just businesses; they are the heartbeats of our local economy, providing stability, innovation, and growth opportunities for the community. The SCVEDC’s list isn’t merely a catalog; it's a narrative about the economic dynamics that shape our daily lives.

The Largest Employer List is like a who's who of economic heavyweights, ranging from healthcare giants to aerospace innovators and everything in between. Companies like Advanced Bionics, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, and Six Flags Magic Mountain (Six Flags) consistently make significant contributions, not only in employment numbers but also in their commitment to community engagement and corporate responsibility. This year's list showcases a variety of sectors, highlighting the diverse economic foundation of the Santa Clarita Valley.

Here are some of the highlights from this year's list: 

One of the largest private sector employment gains in the Santa Clarita Valley was with Vallarta Supermarkets, who relocated their company headquarters here from Sylmar, adding over 200 jobs to the local economy and joining fellow corporate headquarters like Logix, DrinkPAK, Sunkist, and more. Six Flags reported 500 jobs gained, representing a 20% increase in their total summer headcount. SCV’s workforce in all sectors has almost completely recovered from the trauma of the pandemic, and the average salary amongst our target industry sectors are all up from 2023, with Medical Devices showing the largest increase and highest wage. Business formation growth has continued to accelerate, and job growth has only been limited by an almost fully employed workforce.

Among the 50 largest employers for which complete information is available, there were 28,731 workers in the Santa Clarita Valley in September 2024.  There was an increase of 483 workers among the list of the largest private sector employers in the SCV, compared to last year's total of 101. However, unlike last year’s downsizing by the largest public employers of 375 jobs, the SCV has seen an increase of 617 jobs in the public sector. A trend that is in keeping with what is being seen across most of California. Twenty-six of the largest private sector companies added new jobs over the last year. Eighteen companies downsized over the prior year. Nevertheless, collectively, total employment within the largest organizations rose 4%. The public sector grew by 7.4%; the private sector increased by 2.5. The full comparison list between 2023 and 2024 can be found on page 73 of our Economic Outlook Book, which will be made available to the general public in November.

The Santa Clarita Valley is a growing region with significant business opportunities, including available, state-of-the-art industrial and commercial buildings in master-planned developments.The SCVEDC's efforts in compiling and releasing this list are not just about numbers—they're about community empowerment. By understanding the largest players in our local economy, we can better appreciate the intricate web of relationships and opportunities that make the Santa Clarita Valley a great place to live and work. Whether it’s designing cutting-edge technologies or developing life-changing medical devices, filming top-rated television shows or imagining world-class vacations, the Santa Clarita Valley is the ideal location for innovative companies in Southern California.

So, whether you're a local resident, a business enthusiast, or someone just curious about the economic pulse of our area, we invite you to delve deeper. Click on the link below to view the 2024 Largest Employer List and discover the key players behind the scenes of our thriving community. Who knows? You might just find your next big opportunity or partnership waiting right there.

Because the Santa Clarita Valley offers a high quality of life, a variety of tax and incentive programs for both small and large companies, and close proximity to most Southern California business centers, it's no wonder our region has been named Los Angeles County's most business-friendly city time and time again.

Click below to read the list of the SCV Largest Employers. For the separate lists of Private and Public employers, you can visit our Top Employers page. And don't forget to follow us on social media and sign up for our newsletter to stay in the know about business updates across the valley!

The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp. is a unique private/public partnership representing the united effort of regional industry and government leaders. The SCVEDC utilizes an integrated approach to attracting, retaining and expanding a diversity of businesses in the Santa Clarita Valley, especially those in key industry clusters, by offering competitive business services and other resources. For more information, visit SCVEDC.org.