Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.5% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 1,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2022.

Total employment in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC market declined by 1,399 jobs in August and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 3.5%. The national unemployment rate stayed flat over the same time period at 3.8%.

  • Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC unemployment rate is 29 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 60 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in August versus prior month by 4% 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 August 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.5% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 44,300; -300
  • Government: 43,100; +400
  • Education & Healthcare: 35,000; +1,100
  • Business Services: 34,200; +100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 27,100; +100
  • Manufacturing: 23,800; -200
  • Construction, Mining: 18,900; +100
  • Other Jobs: 8,800; no change
  • Financial Services: 6,600; no change
  • IT & Development: 2,000; no change
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC Unemployment by Industry August 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2022 (Data published September 2022 and reports created on September 28, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.