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59 Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce 2020 Economic Trends 9 Employment & Wages In 2018, the average weekly wage in the Savannah MSA was $917, an increase of 5.9% from 2017. Wage growth was particularly strong in Utilities (+43.3%), Manufacturing (+14.3%), Finance and Insurance (+11.9%), State Government (+9.3%), and Arts, Entertainment and Recreation (7.3%). In four sectors of the regional economy (manufacturing, education services, state government, and local government) average weekly wages exceeded that for the state. While weekly wages in Savannah remain $204 below the state average, the purchasing power of those wages is enhanced due to the relatively low cost of living and housing in the region. This, combined with Savannah's high quality of life, implies that workers and employers continue to receive a high return on value for area wages. Total employment in the Savannah MSA increased 4.3% from 169,517 in 2017 to 176,840 in 2018. The Information sector experienced notable employment growth (+39%), while Transportation and Warehousing increased by 18.4%. Other fast- growing sectors include Construction (+12.2%) and Manufacturing (+9.5%). The region added 206 establishments (net) across all industries, a gain of 2.2% to bring the total number of establishments up to 9,648. The number of establishments in the Arts, Entertainment and Recreation sector and Information sector greatly increased by 8.8% and 8.3%, respectively. Employment & Earnings Yearly Average, 2018 Average Weekly Wages Savannah MSA Industry Savannah MSA Georgia Average Employment Number of Establishments Construction $984 $1,185 7,821 757 Manufacturing $1,884 $1,166 18,498 287 Wholesale Trade $1,271 $1,624 5,922 413 Retail Trade $573 $619 21,733 1,424 Transportation & Warehousing $847 $1,167 14,339 523 Utilities $2,849 $2,930 627 16 Information $846 $2,275 2,904 117 Finance & Insurance $1,511 $2,390 3,457 466 Real Estate & Rental & Leasing $797 $1,264 2,426 457 Professional, Scientific/Tech Services $1,131 $1,743 6,438 941 Education Services $923 $903 13,840 117 Healthcare & Social Assistance $963 $989 22,502 986 Arts, Entertainment & Recreation $531 $632 2,147 161 Accommodation & Food Services $364 $367 24,242 1,123 Other Services (except Public Admin.) $625 $721 5,313 658 Government – Federal $1,396 $1,431 2,852 65 Government – State $1,160 $963 4,792 72 Government – Local $865 $831 15,719 54 ALL INDUSTRIES $917 $1,121 176,840 9,648 Source: Georgia Department of Labor, Workforce Statistics & Economic Research, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2018 Averages. Retrieved at www.dol.state.ga.us on 10/17/2019.