Athens Employment

Employment and Industries in the Athens, Georgia Area

Athens has a diverse economy which is powered by numerous sectors including tourism, healthcare, education, poultry processing, and timber. Other significant factors for the economy include the manufacturing of items such as electronics and electrical components, industrial machinery, textiles, apparel and transportation equipment. In addition, the city is regarded as the major center for trade in Northeast Georgia.

Praise for Athens from notable sources:

  • Ranked #5 in Kiplinger's list of the 10 best cities
  • Ranked #4 in the top 20 college towns for jobs list by Forbes.com
  • Given a five-star ranking for its appeal to high-tech companies by Expansion Management Magazine
  • Ranked #7 in Forbes.com's list of top 10 best small cities for jobs

Some of the occupations more common in Athens than the nation's other cities are coil winders, tapers and finishers; bio-technology technicians, law clerks, machine feeders and off-bearers, structural metal fabricators, veterinary technicians and technologists; and surgical technologists.

The major employers in the Athens area are shown below:

  • University of Georgia
  • Athens Regional Medical Center
  • Goldkist
  • St Mary's Health Care System Inc
  • University of Georgia
  • Walmart
  • Merial Limited
  • Carrier Corporation
  • Harrison Poultry
  • Doctors Hospitals

The major employment sectors in Athens are:

  • Government
  • Education
  • Healthcare
  • Manufacturing
  • Tourism
  • Management, business and finance
  • Administrative support
  • Sales

Noteworthy data regarding Athens: In 2008 the cost of living index was 86.6. The nation's average is 100. Approximately 40% of the population over the age of 25 have a bachelor's degree or higher. In 2007 the estimated median household income was $36,000.

Companies located in Athens have access to business organizations such as:

The Athens Banner Herald offers up-to-date information regarding the business activities in Athens.

Jobs in Athens

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations88020$46,730$22.47100
2Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations11230$23,340$11.228.7
3Office and Administrative Support Occupations10720$37,840$18.1913.75
4Sales and Related Occupations9010$32,260$15.519.5
5Educational Instruction and Library Occupations8540$70,810$34.046
6Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations6590$78,440$37.715.85
7Production Occupations5860$34,310$16.55.6
8Transportation and Material Moving Occupations5820$32,410$15.586.7
9Fast Food and Counter Workers3910$19,580$9.412.45
10Retail Salespersons3810$23,670$11.382.7
11Business and Financial Operations Occupations3510$67,520$32.465.35
12Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations3050$60,900$29.280.8
13Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations3000$42,430$20.43.75
14Healthcare Support Occupations2890$32,630$15.692.85
15Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations2640$28,370$13.643.6
16Construction and Extraction Occupations2320$41,850$20.124.6
17Waiters and Waitresses2310$22,550$10.841.65
18Cashiers1920$21,340$10.262.2
19Personal Care and Service Occupations1850$25,640$12.334.65
20Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive1700$34,300$16.491.4
21Registered Nurses1680$68,590$32.971.95
22Computer and Mathematical Occupations1630$64,960$31.233
23Office Clerks, General1560$31,520$15.161.9
24Protective Service Occupations1420$39,500$18.992.2
25Stockers and Order Fillers1420$26,530$12.761.25
26Customer Service Representatives1400$33,270$161.75
27Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand1390$27,920$13.421.8
28Community and Social Service Occupations1300$45,080$21.671.75
29Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners1270$25,340$12.181.5
30General and Operations Managers1200$93,130$44.781.5
31First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers1150$54,360$26.140.95
32Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations1070$51,400$24.711.8
33First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers950$37,130$17.850.6
34Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators950$33,300$16.010.8
35Maintenance and Repair Workers, General940$32,870$15.810.9
36Cooks, Restaurant910$25,960$12.480.9
37Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks860$37,300$17.931.05
38Architecture and Engineering Occupations820$67,580$32.491.7
39Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers810$49,760$23.921.2
40Home Health and Personal Care Aides800$24,210$11.640
41First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers720$41,260$19.840.95
42Nursing Assistants700$26,550$12.770.95
43Receptionists and Information Clerks660$27,790$13.360.7
44Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products620$63,340$30.450.85
45Food Preparation Workers600$24,720$11.880.5
46Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop590$20,100$9.660.3
47Medical Assistants590$33,720$16.210.45
48Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers570$31,710$15.250.75
49Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel560$42,570$20.470.7
50Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors540$50,860$24.450.2
51Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers540$42,700$20.530.4
52Accountants and Auditors530$68,420$32.890.9
53Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants530$36,160$17.380.4
54Construction Laborers490$34,000$16.340.9
55Light Truck Drivers470$40,230$19.340.6
56Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics460$42,980$20.660.5
57Biological Technicians460$53,810$25.870.1
58Medical Dosimetrists, Medical Records Specialists, and Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other450$43,670$210
59Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other440$68,630$330.7
60Dishwashers420$20,050$9.640.3
61Legal Occupations420$70,980$34.130.8
62Recreation Workers400$21,470$10.320.3
63Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers400$42,770$20.560.3
64Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers390$33,090$15.910.2
65Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other390$46,560$22.380
66Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric390$212,680$102.250.3
67Bartenders380$23,670$11.380.4
68Electricians380$50,830$24.440.45
69Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses350$44,670$21.470.5
70Computer User Support Specialists340$45,770$22.010.4
71Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education340$45,200$21.730.3
72Database Administrators and Architects330$63,340$30.450.1
73Billing and Posting Clerks320$36,220$17.410.3
74First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers320$62,590$30.090.4
75Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners320$21,100$10.140.9
76Pharmacists310$113,780$54.70.2
77Pharmacy Technicians310$31,720$15.250.3
78Agricultural and Food Science Technicians300$53,440$25.690
79Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers300$37,140$17.850.35
80Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists290$60,080$28.890.45
81Packers and Packagers, Hand290$22,920$11.020.4
82Physical Therapists290$79,550$38.250.2
83Radiologic Technologists and Technicians290$64,650$31.080.1
84Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics280$35,040$16.850
85Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers280$34,180$16.430.1
86Childcare Workers270$20,870$10.030.7
87Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders270$36,960$17.770.2
88Security Guards270$31,410$15.10.7
89Cooks, Fast Food260$19,940$9.590.3
90First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers260$62,440$30.020.3
91Lawyers260$80,210$38.560.5
92Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians250$53,510$25.730.2
93Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers250$43,960$21.140.2
94Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria240$26,780$12.880.3
95Court, Municipal, and License Clerks240$26,470$12.730.1
96Food Service Managers240$70,460$33.880.2
97Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators240$29,880$14.360.4
98Medical and Health Services Managers240$108,520$52.170.3
99Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks240$34,510$16.590.4
100Tellers240$29,870$14.360.25
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Athens Colleges
Athens colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Athens Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$46,73088,020
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$23,34011,230
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$37,84010,720
Sales and Related Occupations$32,2609,010
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$70,8108,540
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$78,4406,590
Production Occupations$34,3105,860
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$32,4105,820
Fast Food and Counter Workers$19,5803,910
Retail Salespersons$23,6703,810
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$67,5203,510
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$60,9003,050
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$42,4303,000
Healthcare Support Occupations$32,6302,890
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$28,3702,640
Construction and Extraction Occupations$41,8502,320
Waiters and Waitresses$22,5502,310
Cashiers$21,3401,920
Personal Care and Service Occupations$25,6401,850
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$34,3001,700
Registered Nurses$68,5901,680
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$64,9601,630
Office Clerks, General$31,5201,560
Protective Service Occupations$39,5001,420
Stockers and Order Fillers$26,5301,420
Customer Service Representatives$33,2701,400
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$27,9201,390
Community and Social Service Occupations$45,0801,300
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$25,3401,270
General and Operations Managers$93,1301,200
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$54,3601,150
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$51,4001,070
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$37,130950
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$33,300950
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$32,870940
Cooks, Restaurant$25,960910
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$37,300860
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$67,580820
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$49,760810
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$24,210800
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$41,260720
Nursing Assistants$26,550700
Receptionists and Information Clerks$27,790660
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$63,340620
Food Preparation Workers$24,720600
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$20,100590
Medical Assistants$33,720590
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$31,710570
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$42,570560
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$50,860540

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

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$46,73088,020
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$37,84010,720
Sales and Related Occupations$32,2609,010
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$70,8108,540
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$78,4406,590
Production Occupations$34,3105,860
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$32,4105,820
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$67,5203,510
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$60,9003,050
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$42,4303,000
Healthcare Support Occupations$32,6302,890
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$28,3702,640
Construction and Extraction Occupations$41,8502,320
Personal Care and Service Occupations$25,6401,850
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$34,3001,700
Registered Nurses$68,5901,680
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$64,9601,630
Office Clerks, General$31,5201,560
Protective Service Occupations$39,5001,420
Stockers and Order Fillers$26,5301,420
Customer Service Representatives$33,2701,400
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$27,9201,390
Community and Social Service Occupations$45,0801,300
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$25,3401,270
General and Operations Managers$93,1301,200
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$54,3601,150
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$51,4001,070
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$37,130950
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$33,300950
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$32,870940
Cooks, Restaurant$25,960910
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$37,300860
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$67,580820
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$49,760810
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$41,260720
Nursing Assistants$26,550700
Receptionists and Information Clerks$27,790660
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$63,340620
Medical Assistants$33,720590
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$31,710570
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$42,570560
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$50,860540
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$42,700540
Accountants and Auditors$68,420530
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$36,160530
Construction Laborers$34,000490
Light Truck Drivers$40,230470
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$42,980460
Biological Technicians$53,810460
Medical Dosimetrists, Medical Records Specialists, and Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$43,670450

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