The diverse, thriving U.S. city of Atlanta, Georgia, seems poised to take on the challenges of the future.
Despite its U.S. Southern flair, Atlanta, Georgia, has always been more of a commercial city than an antebellum monument. Its diverse economy, top-notch educational institutions, and young, educated workforce provide an inviting venue for both multinational corporations and entrepreneurial start-ups.
The economy has recovered well from the COVID-19 pandemic. Atlanta accounted for 93% of job losses in Georgia during the pandemic, but the region currently has an unemployment rate of 2.8%, better than the national rate of 3.7%.
The key to Atlanta’s economy is its diversity. Key industries include:
- Manufacturing and transportation
- Finance and business
- Healthcare and biotech
- Technology
The region’s extensive air, rail, and truck connections have given Atlanta a robust trade and shipping industry. The metro is also a leading center of national and international business and trade.
Areas of Job Promise
Before the COVID-19 crisis, more than 3 million were employed in the region; during the crisis, about 41,000 jobs were lost. Now, in the post-pandemic era, the numbers are at an all-time high at 3.1 million, and the unemployment rate has dropped to 2.8%, the same as the statewide rate. By comparison, the national rate is 3.7%.
With the exception of construction, every sector has added jobs during the post-pandemic recovery. The sectors that have fared the best include:
- Information: +12.1%
- Leisure and hospitality: +7.8%
- Professional and business services: +6.7%
- Trade, transportation and utilities: +6.1%
- Financial activities: +5.9%
- Education and health services: +4.8%
- Manufacturing: +4.6%
Here is a sampling of the jobs that are currently in high demand, according to Workforce Atlanta:
- Business services: Advertising sales, bookkeepers, claims adjusters, office managers, project managers, property managers, administrative assistants, tax preparers
- Transportation, distribution, and logistics: Aircraft mechanics, automotive technicians, business operations specialists
- Health sciences: Dental assistants and hygienists, EMTs, and paramedics, medical and clinical laboratory technicians, nursing assistants, registered nurses
- Hospitality and tourism: Chefs, food services managers
- Information technology: Computer support specialists, web developers
Salaries
Salaries in Atlanta have not kept up with the national average. Wages in the metro area increased by 4.4% last year, while the national average was 5.5%.
Here is a sampling of some of the highest-paying positions in Atlanta (with average annual wage):
- Radiologists: $330,350 USD
- Family medicine physicians: $218,200 USD
- Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers: $207,460 USD
- Nurse anesthetists: $170,870 USD
- Computer and information systems managers: $162,470 USD
- Architectural and engineering managers: $152,440 USD
- Marketing managers: $146,740 USD
- Education administrators, postsecondary: $135,580 USD
The following are average hourly wages for some selected occupations:
Occupation |
Average Hourly Wage, Atlanta (USD) |
Average Hourly Wage, National (USD) |
Customer service representatives |
$18.33 |
$18.79 |
Computer systems analysts |
$49.21 |
$49.14 |
Financial managers |
$74.05 |
$73.78 |
General and operations managers |
$52.93 |
$55.41 |
Retail salespersons |
$14.14 |
$15.35 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Conclusion
Atlanta has managed to overcome many of the job losses and economic challenges associated with COVID-19. It once again offers thriving business sectors, ranging from entertainment and engineering to finance and marketing, and many in between. It is a young and vibrant city with a diverse and well-educated workforce that seems as ready to meet the challenges that lie ahead, as it did those of the recent past.
By Mary Anne Thompson, founder, and president, GoinGlobal, Inc.
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