Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.1% with the biggest shift in Business Services, which lost 800 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2022.

Total employment in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC market declined by 3,493 jobs in May and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 3.1%. The national unemployment rate increased by 4 bps over the same time to 3.4%.

  • Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC unemployment rate is 28 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 70 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in May versus prior month by -0.4% 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 May 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.9%. Key sectors include:

  • Government: 43,400; -200
  • Transportation & Utilities: 43,300; -500
  • Education & Healthcare: 34,100; -500
  • Business Services: 32,800; -800
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 30,000; -500
  • Manufacturing: 24,100; +200
  • Construction, Mining: 18,600; -100
  • Other Jobs: 8,800; +100
  • Financial Services: 6,600; no change
  • IT & Development: 2,000; no change
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC Unemployment by Industry May 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2022 (Data published June 2022 and reports created on June 29, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.