Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.9% with the biggest shift in Business Services, which lost 1,200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in May 2023.

Total employment in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC market rose by 173 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 3.9%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 27 bps over the same time to 3.6%.

  • Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC unemployment rate is 28 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 50 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in March versus prior month by 5% 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 March 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.4%. Key sectors include:

  • Government: 44,000; +100
  • Transportation & Utilities: 41,700; -100
  • Education & Healthcare: 35,700; -300
  • Business Services: 32,000; -1,200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 26,600; +600
  • Manufacturing: 25,100; -100
  • Construction, Mining: 17,800; +100
  • Other Jobs: 9,100; no change
  • Financial Services: 7,000; no change
  • IT & Development: 2,000; no change
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC Unemployment by Industry March 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2023 (Data published May 2023 and reports created on May 9,2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.