City Town Info

Valdosta Employment

Employment and Industries in the Valdosta, Georgia Area

Valdosta is a prominent commercial center in South Georgia. The city is also home to numerous manufacturing facilities. The primary employers are Moody Air Force Base, Valdosta State University and South Georgia Medical Center. About 27% of the workforce are employed in management, professional and related occupations.

The region produces goods such as tobacco, naval stores, especially turpentine, pine lumber and pulpwood. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs reports that Valdosta is known as the "Naval stores capital of the world," due to supplying 80% of the world demand for naval stores.

The largest employers in the Valdosta region are provided below:

  • Moody Air Force Base
  • Valdosta State University
  • South Georgia Medical Center
  • Lowndes County School System
  • Valdosta City School System
  • Lowes Home Centers Inc
  • Convergys Corporation
  • City of Valdosta
  • Roadway Express
  • Lowndes County

The major sectors for employment in Valdosta are:

  • Education
  • Healthcare
  • Construction
  • Government
  • Professional, scientific and technical services.
  • Social services

Some of the jobs more prevalent in Valdosta than most other cities include, logging equipment operators, fiberglass laminators and fabricators; sawing machine setters, operators and tenders, wood; amusement and recreation attendants; paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators; helpers - production workers; and helpers - electricians.

Noteworthy data regarding the city of Valdosta: Approximately 25% of the population have a bachelor's degree or better. The cost of living index in 2008 was 82.8 which is low when compared to the nation's average of 100. In 2009 the average salary in Valdosta was $24,000.

Valdosta companies have access to business organizations such as:

The Valdosta Daily Times offers current information about the business activities in Valdosta.

Most Popular Jobs in Valdosta, Georgia Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses1,07052,480$36,360 - 69,91024%56%
2Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education53051,060$34,810 - 69,3406%96%
3Elementary school teachers, except special education38045,070$32,290 - 61,79014%95%
4Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products30045,420$20,760 - 88,5708%51%
5Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education28047,620$33,590 - 63,83011%95%
6Accountants and auditors24054,610$33,250 - 82,47018%79%
7Special education teachers, secondary school21048,460$35,020 - 65,4809%87%
8Chief executives140122,140$51,080 - 2%65%
9Medical and clinical laboratory technologists13040,120$24,700 - 58,84012%51%
10Child, family, and school social workers13031,240$14,990 - 49,57019%77%
11Vocational education teachers, secondary school12053,350$35,020 - 74,6400%96%
12Medical and health services managers11077,710$47,620 - 116,35016%57%
13Educational, vocational, and school counselors11044,610$24,200 - 66,99013%73%
14Education administrators, elementary and secondary school10070,800$48,890 - 98,1808%78%
15Pharmacists10096,810$67,930 - 127,68022%97%
16Training and development specialists10045,900$29,360 - 71,79018%56%
17Instructional coordinators9052,380$31,370 - 78,06023%79%
18Financial managers90109,330$53,000 - 13%60%
19Self-enrichment education teachers8043,100$18,270 - 66,27023%54%
20Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products8049,120$21,300 - 119,40012%51%
21Medical and public health social workers8041,690$29,440 - 57,93024%77%
22Sales managers8088,980$32,130 - 163,98010%69%
23Coaches and scouts8035,110$13,680 - 66,02015%60%
24Occupational therapists7088,500$60,260 - 122,46023%90%
25Social and human service assistants7024,130$16,280 - 37,59034%58%
26Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists7033,090$27,050 - 43,97011%58%
27Community and social service specialists, all other6031,050$21,710 - 44,71025%58%
28Lawyers6089,680$44,800 - 11%99%
29Network and computer systems administrators5048,850$29,240 - 68,76027%50%
30Floral designers5020,390$16,960 - 24,6600%55%
31Detectives and criminal investigators50 $ - 17%54%
32Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school5049,530$36,890 - 64,38020%87%
33Dentists, general50173,540$74,170 - 9%100%
34Social and community service managers4043,280$28,100 - 63,93025%72%
35Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other4049,880$27,750 - 79,54017%56%
36Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation4040,590$25,660 - 63,9505%58%
37Librarians4055,630$39,910 - 66,9304%85%
38Legislators4014,730$12,810 - 18,0801%65%
39Mental health counselors4036,380$27,370 - 43,27030%73%
40Advertising sales agents4051,090$23,170 - 105,01020%56%
41Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists4034,710$23,740 - 51,14018%56%
42Medical and clinical laboratory technicians4029,450$20,280 - 40,71015%51%
43Industrial engineers4067,470$46,550 - 94,95020%74%
44Graphic designers4032,370$25,460 - 40,97010%55%
45Computer systems analysts3057,980$34,690 - 82,46029%68%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons2,59021,210$13,660 - 31,10012%25%
2Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food2,09015,120$12,860 - 18,65018%5%
3Customer service representatives1,97020,610$15,460 - 29,52025%22%
4Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand1,89022,310$12,970 - 47,8102%5%
5Cashiers1,81016,750$12,900 - 23,350-2%10%
6Waiters and waitresses1,07014,920$12,770 - 18,23011%14%
7Stock clerks and order fillers97021,210$13,740 - 33,400-7%8%
8General and operations managers91071,240$34,380 - 116,6102%48%
9Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer91039,080$24,580 - 51,82010%4%
10Office clerks, general87021,130$13,940 - 30,14013%19%
11Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks82028,790$18,080 - 42,63013%16%
12Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive80024,390$16,020 - 33,1901%18%
13Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants77019,330$13,710 - 25,82018%7%
14Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners76019,170$13,530 - 25,02015%4%
15Industrial truck and tractor operators76026,730$20,520 - 31,700-1%2%
16First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers73041,800$26,350 - 68,6506%29%
17First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers72031,750$21,130 - 46,0904%25%
18Maintenance and repair workers, general70029,010$16,930 - 47,71010%6%
19Cooks, fast food68016,140$12,910 - 20,1608%5%
20Amusement and recreation attendants68019,480$12,970 - 38,05024%22%
21Helpers--production workers64019,490$14,630 - 26,7000%4%
22Teacher assistants64016,090$12,930 - 21,89010%18%
23Construction laborers53026,220$15,190 - 56,15011%5%
24Maids and housekeeping cleaners47016,350$12,980 - 21,24013%5%
25Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses45032,400$24,290 - 41,39014%7%
26First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers43031,300$21,070 - 47,33011%14%
27Receptionists and information clerks43022,110$15,370 - 30,90017%13%
28Team assemblers42023,050$14,170 - 31,6300%5%
29Executive secretaries and administrative assistants36033,440$23,990 - 41,54015%18%
30Landscaping and groundskeeping workers36019,890$13,620 - 28,27018%6%
31Truck drivers, light or delivery services36023,510$14,080 - 37,2308%4%
32Police and sheriff's patrol officers33032,850$24,870 - 41,93011%33%
33Child care workers32014,290$12,700 - 16,23018%15%
34Dishwashers31015,020$12,850 - 18,28010%3%
35Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop30014,420$12,740 - 15,84010%8%
36Automotive service technicians and mechanics28034,550$20,890 - 50,05014%4%
37Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop28014,780$12,770 - 18,10010%17%
38Counter and rental clerks28021,410$13,800 - 30,34023%16%
39Billing and posting clerks and machine operators28026,390$18,300 - 35,5104%15%
40Packers and packagers, hand26016,640$12,920 - 22,570-11%3%
41Medical assistants25026,050$16,510 - 37,97035%10%
42Security guards25021,890$13,430 - 33,18017%13%
43Carpenters25029,110$20,440 - 42,79010%6%
44First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers24046,860$28,710 - 67,330-4%15%
45First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers24050,280$27,150 - 81,5809%10%
46Tellers23021,400$14,550 - 30,22014%16%
47Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks23017,320$13,380 - 21,83017%14%
48Medical secretaries23029,180$20,440 - 42,92017%18%
49Taxi drivers and chauffeurs22014,750$12,810 - 18,38013%15%
50Electricians21038,780$23,280 - 63,2307%7%
51Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers21032,180$22,920 - 40,0305%2%
52Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders20019,280$14,660 - 24,520-4%5%
53Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers20025,060$16,820 - 42,430-6%14%
54Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters19035,680$26,650 - 48,84011%4%
55Food preparation workers18017,680$13,220 - 24,19015%7%
56Bus drivers, school18015,050$12,870 - 17,9409%4%
57Cooks, restaurant17018,830$14,810 - 23,57012%5%
58First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers17056,500$34,020 - 82,7807%13%
59Cooks, short order16016,510$13,050 - 21,2005%5%
60Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks16027,110$15,780 - 44,5204%6%
61Order clerks15028,200$22,290 - 32,490-23%16%
62Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood140 4%0%
63Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists14032,080$19,860 - 46,21012%3%
64Bill and account collectors14027,480$18,830 - 42,13023%13%
65Business operations specialists, all other14050,560$15,020 - 79,84021%49%
66Legal secretaries14027,360$17,140 - 42,14012%18%
67Cooks, institution and cafeteria14018,390$13,180 - 26,83011%5%
68Driver/sales workers14026,830$18,060 - 40,610-4%4%
69Postal service mail carriers140 1%11%
70Fiberglass laminators and fabricators13023,060$17,260 - 30,1406%5%
71Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators13035,860$23,530 - 48,5608%3%
72Helpers--electricians13019,850$13,560 - 27,5607%3%
73Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers13048,620$33,270 - 63,3003%13%
74Pharmacy technicians13024,850$18,380 - 31,48032%16%
75Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators12029,720$21,940 - 39,9409%0%
76Dental assistants12028,850$19,400 - 39,64029%9%
77Logging equipment operators12032,570$23,450 - 43,9100%2%
78Cleaners of vehicles and equipment12016,630$13,250 - 20,25014%3%
79Radiologic technologists and technicians12037,100$18,850 - 59,35015%25%
80Medical records and health information technicians12018,750$13,280 - 27,67018%12%
81Vocational education teachers, postsecondary11045,300$34,750 - 58,7100%0%
82Administrative services managers11043,390$25,060 - 63,20012%40%
83Interviewers, except eligibility and loan10023,060$17,330 - 31,03010%24%
84Electrical power-line installers and repairers10037,400$28,030 - 49,5107%6%
85Cost estimators10050,820$30,340 - 69,04019%32%
86Loan interviewers and clerks10028,760$20,060 - 38,1900%24%
87Data entry keyers10020,730$13,640 - 29,570-4%18%
88Industrial machinery mechanics10045,700$28,280 - 63,3009%5%
89First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers10026,730$19,950 - 34,22013%11%
90Butchers and meat cutters10022,460$14,750 - 29,6502%2%
91Painters, construction and maintenance9024,620$14,750 - 32,27012%6%
92Bartenders9015,370$12,800 - 19,66011%17%
93First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand9039,890$27,560 - 51,20013%17%
94Loan officers9062,810$32,270 - 112,18012%49%
95Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers9014,250$12,670 - 15,96012%6%
96Computer support specialists9037,780$19,350 - 57,68013%43%
97Insurance sales agents9029,920$21,230 - 43,30013%45%
98Switchboard operators, including answering service9021,390$14,250 - 29,570-7%10%
99Structural metal fabricators and fitters9029,730$17,960 - 40,6900%0%
100Laundry and dry-cleaning workers8015,090$12,850 - 19,00010%5%
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Additional Details

Valdosta CollegesValdosta Colleges
Valdosta colleges and trade schools.
Valdosta Hotels & TravelValdosta Hotels & Travel
Valdosta hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
Valdosta MortgageValdosta Mortgage
Valdosta property, mortgage, and real estate.

Jobs More Common Near Valdosta Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Logging equipment operators32,57012047.4
Fiberglass laminators and fabricators23,06013025.6
Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood 14016.8
Amusement and recreation attendants19,4806807.8
Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators29,7201206.8
Vocational education teachers, secondary school53,3501204.7
Special education teachers, secondary school48,4602104.4
Helpers--production workers19,4906404
Cooks, fast food16,1406803.5
Taxi drivers and chauffeurs14,7502203.5
Electrical power-line installers and repairers37,4001003.5
Industrial truck and tractor operators26,7307603.5
Helpers--electricians19,8501303.4
Vocational education teachers, postsecondary45,3001103.1
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks17,3202303
Cooks, short order16,5101602.9
Butchers and meat cutters22,4601002.4
Customer service representatives20,6101,9702.2
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand22,3101,8902.2
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists40,1201302.1
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food15,1202,0902.1
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop14,7802802.1
Medical records and health information technicians18,7501201.9
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers48,6201301.9
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses32,4004501.8
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders19,2802001.7
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers32,1802101.7
Order clerks28,2001501.7
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers31,7507201.7
Counter and rental clerks21,4102801.7
Dishwashers15,0203101.6
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists32,0801401.6
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer39,0809101.6
Radiologic technologists and technicians37,1001201.6
Retail salespersons21,2102,5901.5
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop14,4203001.5
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants19,3307701.5
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education51,0605301.5
Police and sheriff's patrol officers32,8503301.5
Maintenance and repair workers, general29,0107001.5
General and operations managers71,2409101.5
Child care workers14,2903201.5
First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers26,7301001.5
Teacher assistants16,0906401.5
Billing and posting clerks and machine operators26,3902801.5
Maids and housekeeping cleaners16,3504701.4
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers31,3004301.4
Construction laborers26,2205301.4
Legal secretaries27,3601401.4
Cashiers16,7501,8101.4

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Valdosta, Georgia Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Amusement and recreation attendants19,4801.05680
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer39,0801.04910
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers31,3001.03430
Driver/sales workers26,8301.02140
Vocational education teachers, secondary school53,3501.02120
Medical secretaries29,1801.01230
Order clerks28,2001150
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education51,0601530
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers56,5000.99170
Logging equipment operators32,5700.97120
Automotive service technicians and mechanics34,5500.95280
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks27,1100.95160
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers48,6200.95130
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education47,6200.95280
Special education teachers, secondary school48,4600.94210
Vocational education teachers, postsecondary45,3000.93110
Stock clerks and order fillers21,2100.93970
Cooks, fast food16,1400.93680
Medical assistants26,0500.93250
First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers41,8000.93730
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand22,3100.921,890
Receptionists and information clerks22,1100.92430
Food preparation workers17,6800.92180
Counter and rental clerks21,4100.92280
Medical and health services managers77,7100.92110
Accountants and auditors54,6100.91240
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers32,1800.91210
Elementary school teachers, except special education45,0700.9380
Tellers21,4000.9230
Cashiers16,7500.91,810
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks28,7900.9820
Dental assistants28,8500.89120
Bill and account collectors27,4800.89140
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks17,3200.89230
Industrial truck and tractor operators26,7300.89760
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers46,8600.89240
Pharmacy technicians24,8500.88130
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food15,1200.882,090
Dishwashers15,0200.87310
Billing and posting clerks and machine operators26,3900.87280
Retail salespersons21,2100.872,590
Cooks, restaurant18,8300.87170
Security guards21,8900.87250
Educational, vocational, and school counselors44,6100.87110
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers50,2800.87240
Executive secretaries and administrative assistants33,4400.86360
Business operations specialists, all other50,5600.86140
Maids and housekeeping cleaners16,3500.85470
Registered nurses52,4800.851,070
Maintenance and repair workers, general29,0100.84700

Highest Paying Jobs in Valdosta, Georgia Metro Area (2008 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Dentists, general173,54050
Chief executives122,140140
Financial managers109,33090
Pharmacists96,810100
Lawyers89,68060
Sales managers88,98080
Occupational therapists88,50070
Industrial production managers87,90040
Physical therapists86,610 
Physician assistants81,090 
Medical and health services managers77,710110
Speech-language pathologists72,250 
General and operations managers71,240910
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school70,800100
Industrial engineers67,47040
Construction managers65,20050
Loan officers62,81090
Dental hygienists59,120 
Management analysts58,300 
Computer systems analysts57,98030
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers56,500170
Librarians55,63040
Accountants and auditors54,610240
Vocational education teachers, secondary school53,350120
Diagnostic medical sonographers53,20030
Registered nurses52,4801,070
Instructional coordinators52,38090
Special education teachers, middle school52,070 
Telecommunications line installers and repairers51,90070
Advertising sales agents51,09040
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education51,060530
Cost estimators50,820100
Cardiovascular technologists and technicians50,75030
Business operations specialists, all other50,560140
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers50,280240
Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other49,88040
Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school49,53050
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products49,12080
Network and computer systems administrators48,85050
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers48,620130
Special education teachers, secondary school48,460210
Kindergarten teachers, except special education48,14070
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education47,620280
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers46,860240
Respiratory therapists46,66040
Training and development specialists45,900100
Industrial machinery mechanics45,700100
Paralegals and legal assistants45,51050
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products45,420300
Vocational education teachers, postsecondary45,300110

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