Each of the selected 12 metropolitan areas located partially or entirely in Georgia had annual wages that were significantly below the national average for carpenters, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Eleven areas had below-average wages for electricians, and 11 had below-average wages for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters. Regional Commissioner Janet S. Rankin noted that among the 12 selected metropolitan areas, none had annual wages significantly above the U.S. average for the three selected construction trades occupations. Nationwide, the average (mean) wage for carpenters was $48,340; for electricians, $56,650; and for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters, $56,030. (See table A. For comprehensive definitions of metropolitan areas in Georgia, please see Technical Note.)

 

Table A. Average (mean) annual wages for selected construction trades occupations in the United States, Georgia, and selected metropolitan areas in Georgia, May 2016

Area	Carpenters	Electricians	Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
United States	$48,340	$56,650	$56,030
Georgia	40,540*	46,490*	44,310*
Albany	30,650*	47,190*	37,110*
Athens-Clarke County	37,590*	43,710*	47,660*
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell	42,850*	47,750*	46,830*
Augusta-Richmond County	37,460*	45,810*	39,360*
Brunswick	37,240*	40,890*	48,100
Chattanooga	39,660*	44,550*	45,080*
Columbus	38,500*	42,310*	39,690*
Gainesville	39,040*	47,390*	46,370*
Macon	32,490*	43,980*	33,940*
Savannah	43,440*	46,720*	43,450*
Valdosta	38,380*	47,790*	41,650*
Warner Robins	34,130*	47,800	46,230*
Note: An asterisk indicates that the mean annual wage for this area is significantly different from the national average of all areas at the 90-percent confidence level.

 

Of the 12 selected metropolitan areas located entirely or partially in the state, the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell area had the largest numbers of carpenters; electricians; and plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters, with a combined employment of 27,470 in the three selected occupations. Employment in these three occupations combined was less than 2,600 in each of the remaining selected metropolitan areas in Georgia. (See table B.)

Table B. Employment of selected construction trades occupations in the United States, Georgia, and selected metropolitan areas in Georgia, May 2016

Area	Carpenters	Electricians	Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
United States	676,980	607,120	411,870
Georgia	17,770	16,820	9,960
Albany	210	260	210
Athens-Clarke County	300	410	250
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell	11,450	10,320	5,700
Augusta-Richmond County	1,020	900	670
Brunswick	220	160	160
Chattanooga	420	1,300	750
Columbus	360	510	360
Gainesville	370	290	290
Macon	320	300	160
Savannah	660	620	410
Valdosta	170	270	210
Warner Robins	160	120	170

Wages for carpenters in selected metropolitan areas in Georgia

Each of the 12 selected metropolitan areas in Georgia had wages significantly below the U.S. average of $48,340 for carpenters. The lower paying areas included Albany ($30,650), Macon ($32,490), and Warner Robins ($34,130). Among the remaining areas, average wages for carpenters ranged from $43,440 in Savannah to $37,240 in Brunswick.

Wages for electricians in selected metropolitan areas in Georgia

Electricians in 11 of the 12 selected metropolitan areas had wages measurably below the national average of $56,650, including Brunswick ($40,890), Columbus ($42,310), and Athens-Clarke County ($43,710). Electricians in the Warner Robins area earned wages that were not measurably different from the U.S. average.

Wages for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in selected metropolitan areas in Georgia

Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters, earned below the U.S. average of $56,030 in 11 of the 12 selected metropolitan areas in Georgia. Macon ($33,940), Albany ($37,110), and Augusta-Richmond County ($39,360) were among the lower-paying areas. Wages for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in Brunswick were not measurably different from the national average.

These statistics are from the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey, a federal-state cooperative program between BLS and State Workforce Agencies, in this case, the Georgia State Department of Labor.

Technical Note

The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey is a semiannual survey measuring occupational employment and wage rates for wage and salary workers in nonfarm establishments in the United States. The OES data available from BLS include cross-industry occupational employment and wage estimates for the nation; over 650 areas, including states and the District of Columbia, metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), metropolitan divisions, nonmetropolitan areas, and territories; national industry-specific estimates at the NAICS sector, 3-, 4-, and selected 5- and 6-digit industry levels, and national estimates by ownership across all industries and for schools and hospitals. OES data are available at www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm.

OES estimates are constructed from a sample of about 1.2 million establishments. Each year, two semiannual panels of approximately 200,000 sampled establishments are contacted, one panel in May and the other in November. Responses are obtained by mail, Internet or other electronic means, email, telephone, or personal visit. The May 2016 estimates are based on responses from six semiannual panels collected over a 3-year period: May 2016, November 2015, May 2015, November 2014, May 2014, and November 2013. The overall national response rate for the six panels, based on the 50 states and the District of Columbia, is 73 percent based on establishments and 69 percent based on weighted sampled employment. The unweighted employment of sampled establishments across all six semiannual panels represents approximately 58 percent of total national employment. For more information about OES concepts and methodology, go to www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_tec.htm.

The May 2016 OES estimates are based on the 2010 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system and the 2012 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Information about the 2010 SOC is available on the BLS website at www.bls.gov/soc and information about the 2012 NAICS is available at www.bls.gov/bls/naics.htm.

Metropolitan area definitions

The substate area data published in this release reflect the standards and definitions established by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.

• Albany, Ga. Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) includes Baker, Dougherty, Lee, Terrell, and Worth Counties in Georgia.
• Athens-Clarke County, Ga. MSA includes Clarke, Madison, Oconee, and Oglethorpe Counties in Georgia.
• Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Ga. MSA includes Barrow, Bartow, Butts, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Haralson, Heard, Henry, Jasper, Lamar, Meriwether, Morgan, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Pike, Rockdale, Spalding, and Walton Counties in Georgia.
• Augusta-Richmond County, Ga.-S.C. MSA includes Aiken and Edgefield Counties in South Carolina; Burke, Columbia, Lincoln, McDuffie, and Richmond Counties in Georgia.
• Brunswick, Ga. MSA includes Brantley, Glynn, and McIntosh Counties in Georgia.
• Chattanooga, Tenn.-Ga. MSA includes Catoosa, Dade, and Walker Counties in Georgia; Hamilton, Marion, and Sequatchie Counties in Tennessee.
• Columbus, Ga.-Ala. MSA includes Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion, and Muscogee Counties in Georgia; Russell County in Alabama.
• Dalton, Ga. MSA includes Murray and Whitfield Counties in Georgia.
• Gainesville, Ga. MSA includes Hall County in Georgia.
• Hinesville, Ga. MSA includes Liberty and Long Counties in Georgia.
• Macon, Ga. MSA includes Bibb, Crawford, Jones, Monroe, and Twiggs Counties in Georgia.
• Rome, Ga. MSA includes Floyd County in Georgia.
• Savannah, Ga. MSA includes Bryan, Chatham, and Effingham Counties in Georgia.
• Valdosta, Ga. MSA includes Brooks, Echols, Lanier, and Lowndes Counties in Georgia.
• Warner Robins, Ga. MSA includes Houston, Peach, and Pulaski Counties in Georgia.

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