The data folks at the Atlanta Regional Commission have been up to their elbows in metro Atlanta workforce information lately. Their most-recent analysis shows what industries are growing, which are shrinking, and why it’s a good idea to jump on that nursing program you may have been thinking about.

All of the information is available in this month’s Regional Snapshot, but we’ve highlighted a few takeaways:

Job Growth

Good News: Metro Atlanta has outperformed the nation in employment growth for the past six years. From June 2018 to June 2019, the region’s employment base grew by 1.9% – 6th most among the nation’s 12 largest metro areas.

Job growth chart

 

But: Our competitive advantage relative to other large metro areas is slipping a bit. Between 2016 and 2018, Atlanta’s employment growth typically ranked third. And more importantly, not everyone has benefitted from Atlanta’s growth. The largest loss of job shares between 2007 and 2018 have been in low- and middle-income occupations. And the data shows that income mobility is poor: Low-income children who grow up in Atlanta are more likely to remain low-income when compared to the other 25 largest metros.

Economic mobility chart

Average Wages

Good News: After years of decline or stagnation that began with the Great Recession in 2008, average wages in the Atlanta region have been trending upward, albeit slightly, in the past few years.

But: Average wages in Atlanta, when adjusted for inflation, still lag the levels of 2000. And since the recession hit, wages in metro Atlanta have trailed the national average.

Jobs and Wages by Industry and Occupation

Good News: Jobs in certain industry sectors grew more in metro Atlanta than the national average. Construction, information, and professional business services grew a percentage point more than the national average between June 2018 and June 2019.

But: Of the top 10 fastest-growing occupations in metro Atlanta , seven pay below the overall across all industries. Food service employees, retail workers, and cashiers are examples of occupations that pay below average wages.

High-Demand Industries

Good News: Certain occupations are on fire in metro Atlanta. For example, jobs in the healthcare, information technology, and logistics industries are growing at a much faster rate than the national average.

But: There’s a qualifications gap. The data shows that 53% of employers are looking to fill positions with candidates that have a bachelor’s degree or higher, but only 23% of the workforce has that level of education.

Bonus Good News: Dust off those resumes: A new collaborative effort is underway to help fill these high-demand jobs. Check out atlworks.org to find out how the region’s workforce agencies are helping job-seekers and businesses navigate the employment market.


What’s Next ATL, produced by the Atlanta Regional Commission, is a community resource that explores how metro Atlanta is growing and changing, and how the region is addressing its most pressing challenges.
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State of the Region
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33°n
CDAP
Community Planning Academy
ConnectA
Empowerline
Georgia Commute Options
Green Communities
LCI
LINK
MARC
Metro Atlanta Speaks
MNG Water Planning District
RLI
State of the Region
UASI
WorkSource GA