Overall unemployment rate moved up to 4.0% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 2,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2023.

Total employment in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC market declined by 4,556 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 80 bps to 4.0%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC unemployment rate is 14 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 40 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in January versus prior month by 2% and are equal 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 January 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -2.1%. Key sectors include:

  • Government: 43,600; -500
  • Transportation & Utilities: 42,000; -2,100
  • Education & Healthcare: 35,100; -1,100
  • Business Services: 34,000; -900
  • Manufacturing: 25,200; -100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 25,000; -100
  • Construction, Mining: 17,600; -200
  • Other Jobs: 9,000; no change
  • Financial Services: 7,000; -100
  • IT & Development: 2,000; -100
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC Unemployment by Industry January 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2023 (Data published March 2023 and reports created on March 17, 2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.