The average weekly wage in the first quarter of 2024 was higher in six of the seven counties in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), according to new data recently released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The fastest growth was seen in Lincoln County at 6.4 percent, followed by Edgefield County. Burke County’s average weekly wages fell 8.6 percent.
The good news for Burke County is they still have the highest average weekly wage at $1,972, comfortably higher than second place in Aiken County. Although Lincoln County had the fastest growth, it is from a low base. Average Weekly wages in Lincoln County are the lowest of the MSA at $782.
Burke County also saw employment fall by 20 percent between March 2023 and March 2024. McDuffie County and Richmond County also saw employment fall by 5.9 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively. Richmond County remains the economic driving force of the MSA employment of over 100,000. Aiken County trails in second place with about 65,000. Lincoln County saw the largest growth in employment of 4.5 percent, but again from a low base: employment in Lincoln County is just 1,451 in March 2024.
