Savannah Chamber

30 Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce 2015 Economic Trends 9 Employment & Wages From 2012 to 2013, the average weekly wage in the Savannah MSA increased 1.3%. Across all industries in the region, employees earned $786 per week. In the Savannah metro area in 2013, weekly wages were $113 lower than those statewide. As compared to the state, weekly wages in Savannah were $113 lower in 2013. The percentage gap between wages in Savannah and the state declined slightly from 14.6% in 2012 to 14.4% in 2013. In three sectors of the regional economy, manufacturing, state government, and local government, average weekly wages in the region exceeded average weekly pay for the state. Weekly pay in all other sectors was near or below the state average. Although wage gains in 2013 were modest, 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 2.4% from 148,221 in 2012 to 151,787 in 2013. On a net basis, the area added 345 establishments across all industries, a gain of 3.7%. The Finance and Insurance sector experienced a sharp increase in establishments (15%) as well as in employment (14.1%). Arts, Entertainment and Recreation, and Wholesale Trade added 7.9% and 7.4% to total establishments, respectively. Other Services increased employment by 11.3% and Professional, Scientific and Technology Services employed 9.6% more workers than in the previous year. Employment & Earnings Yearly Average, 2013 Average Weekly Wages Savannah MSA Industry Savannah MSA Georgia Employment Number of Establishments Construction $837 $939 5,272 745 Manufacturing $1,498 $1,038 14,849 246 Wholesale Trade $1,111 $1,357 5,392 477 Retail Trade $501 $520 18,608 1,396 Transportation and Warehousing $729 $1025 9,541 463 Utilities $1,484 $1,572 469 18 Information $942 $1,616 1,335 118 Finance and Insurance $1,165 $1,517 3,838 580 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing $650 $968 1,812 411 Professional, Scientific/Tech Services $942 $1,457 5,133 889 Education Services $855 $925 3,705 75 Health Care and Social Assistance $870 $885 19,422 830 Arts, Entertainment and Recreation $451 $618 1,965 123 Accommodation and Food Services $320 $328 20,315 1,014 Other Services (except Public Admin.) $607 $614 4,662 732 Government – Federal $1,277 $1,308 2,943 90 Government – State $886 $798 5,068 109 Government – Local $753 $714 14,265 56 ALL INDUSTRIES $786 $899 151,787 9,546 Source: Georgia Department of Labor, Workforce Information and Analysis, Georgia Employment and Wages, 2013 Averages Retrieved at www.dol.state.ga.us on 09/24/2014)

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