Employment in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) set another record in May. Employment now stands at 254,600, the highest ever, and an increase of 400 from the previous record set in January and April. Employment is 1,100 higher than in May 2025.
The largest employment gains were seen in professional and business services, up 160, and transportation and utilities, up 110. Local government also increased by about 90 workers and stands at over 22,000 employees for the first time since September 2017. Whether this is good or bad for the economy depends in part on your political views and whether you feel you are getting value for money from local government services.
The biggest losses were seen in “other services,” which saw jobs decline by 160 from April. Other services include laundry, personal care, pet care, and temporary parking services, amongst others. Despite the data being seasonally adjusted, other services see a distinct spike for April and the Masters tournament, so a lower employment level for May was to be expected. Nevertheless, employment in other services in May was still higher than in any other non-April month on record.
Employment in leisure and hospitality also sees a non-seasonally adjusted bump in April. This year, it was 5,000 workers. However, taking this into account, seasonally adjusted employment in leisure and hospitality increased by about 500 in April, but unlike other services continued to increase in May.
