The Augusta Labor Market Index rose 0.2 percent in April from March. It is 0.1 percent higher than April 2023.
Small monthly changes were seen in employment (down 100) and the unemployment rate (up 0.1 percentage points to 3.7%). Larger, positive changes were seen in the labor force and hours worked. The labor force increased 0.4 percent to 266,032, the highest level since December 2020. The labor force has increased by over 2,000 since January, a very positive sign. Average hours worked also increased from 33.8 in March to 34.7 in April. Unfortunately, average weekly earnings in the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) slipped slightly to $956.68.
Recently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released 2023 annual pay data for the individual counties of the MSA. Burke County continues to have the highest average annual pay at $88,452 (equivalent to a weekly wage of $1,701), but this was a decrease of 10 percent over 2022. All the other counties saw an average annual pay increase in 2023 from 2022. Lincoln County had the highest increase of 8 percent, although the county still has the lowest level of pay at $40,791 (equivalent to a weekly wage of $784).
