Careers in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
What working and living here is really like
Working in Augusta-Richmond County
Augusta is best known for The Masters, but 51 weeks a year it's a mid-sized Georgia city on the South Carolina border, shaped by the Army, cybersecurity, and healthcare more than golf. Fort Eisenhower (formerly Gordon) is a major Army installation and the home of Army Cyber Command, creating a job market and culture distinct from typical Southern cities.
The $46K median salary with cost of living 10% below average creates genuine affordability. The military presence brings diversity and transience that counterbalances the traditional Deep South culture. The Savannah River runs through downtown; revitalization efforts have created pockets of genuine life.
Augusta works for people connected to its specific economies. Cyber and intelligence professionals find a growing cluster. Healthcare workers have options at AU Health and other systems. Military families find affordability and community. But outside those spheres, career options narrow. And when The Masters leaves, Augusta returns to being a secondary Georgia city—pleasant enough, but not exciting.
Top industries in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
The industries that shape Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC's employment landscape — by total jobs or local specialization.
Sectors where Augusta-Richmond County punches above its weight. A 2× means twice the national share of jobs in that sector, adjusted for metro size.
Earning potential
Salaries here run about 10.5% below national averages — but that doesn't account for what your dollar actually buys.
Job market over time
Current unemployment tells you one thing. The trend over a decade tells you something more useful about resilience and trajectory.
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Metros with a similar profile
Other metro areas that share key characteristics with Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC.
Metros where the same industries punch above their weight
Getting to work
Time spent commuting is time you're not spending on anything else.
State laws that affect your career
From taxes to worker protections — the policies that shape your take-home pay and flexibility.
Where residents come from
The mix of locals and transplants shapes a city's culture and openness to newcomers.
Leisure & hospitality employment
Employment in recreation and hospitality sectors — a proxy for what's popular here.
Food scene
Southern comfort food dominates, with some elevation from the more cosmopolitan military-affiliated population. The downtown and Surrey Center have developed dining that exceeds typical Augusta. Barbecue, soul food, and traditional Southern cooking remain the core. Don't expect culinary innovation, but expect honest food.
The Masters dominates Augusta's cultural reputation, but the week-long tournament is exclusive and expensive. The rest of the year, cultural life is modest. Downtown Augusta has revitalized somewhat—restaurants, a music scene, the Riverwalk. James Brown was from here, and the Augusta Museum of History honors that. Fort Eisenhower brings events. But this isn't a cultural destination.
Climate
Weather patterns that shape daily life and outdoor time.
Starting a business here
New business filings per worker — a measure of economic dynamism and how often people go out on their own.
Who tends to thrive here
An honest look at the careers and situations where Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC tends to work well — and where it doesn't.
Common questions about working in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
How much do people make in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
Median pay across all occupations in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC is about $44K, roughly 10.5% below the typical U.S. metro (BLS OEWS).
How far does a salary go in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
Adjusted for local prices, Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC's $44K median works out to about $49K in national purchasing-power terms — roughly 1.7% less buying power than the typical U.S. metro (BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023).
How many jobs are there in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
The Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area has roughly 229,650 jobs across all occupations (BLS OEWS).
What are the biggest industries in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
By employment, the largest industries in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC are Local Government Services, State Government Administration, and Federal Government.
What is the unemployment rate in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
Unemployment in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC is about 3.6% as of Dec 2023 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics).
What is the average commute in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
The average commute in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC runs about 24.1 minutes, versus a national average of about 26.7 minutes (Census ACS).
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Truest editorial: Metro narrative, fit analysis, food and culture context, similar city tags, thrives/friction profiles.