Overall unemployment rate moved up to 2.7% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in February 2022.

Total employment in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC market rose by 772 jobs in December and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 2.7%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 20 bps over the same time to 3.7%.

  • Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC unemployment rate is 99 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 260 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in December versus prior month by -3.7% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC Unemployment December 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.7% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 45,600; +900
  • Government: 44,700; -200
  • Education & Healthcare: 35,800; no change
  • Business Services: 30,400; no change
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 23,800; +500
  • Manufacturing: 23,600; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 20,300; +200
  • Other Jobs: 8,200; no change
  • Financial Services: 6,200; no change
  • IT & Development: 2,300; +100
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC Unemployment by Industry December 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through December 2021 (Data published February 2022 and reports created on February 4, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.