Atlanta Area Economic Summary
Updated May 31, 2017
This summary presents a sampling of economic information for the area; supplemental data are provided for regions
and the nation. Subjects include unemployment, employment, wages, prices, spending, and benefits. All data are
not seasonally adjusted and some may be subject to revision. Area definitions may differ by subject. For more area
summaries and geographic definitions, see www.bls.gov/regions/economic-summaries.htm.
Average weekly wages for all industries by county
Unemployment rates for the Atlanta area,
selected area counties, and the nation
Atlanta area, 3rd quarter 2016
(U.S. = $1,027; Area = $1,078)
Unemployment rates
4.7
United States
4.1
4.8
Atlanta area
4.5
4.3
Cobb Co.
4.0
5.1
DeKalb Co.
4.7
5.1
Fulton Co.
4.8
4.5
Gwinnett Co.
0.0
4.2
2.0
4.0
Apr-16
6.0
Apr-17
Source: U.S. BLS, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.
Source: U.S. BLS, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.
Over-the-year changes in employment on nonfarm payrolls and employment by major industry sector
12-month percent changes in employment
Atlanta area employment
(numbers in thousands)
Percent
5.0
4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
Apr-14
Atlanta area
Apr-15
United States
Apr-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics.
Apr-17
Total nonfarm
Mining and logging
Construction
Manufacturing
Trade, transportation, and utilities
Information
Financial activities
Professional and business services
Education and health services
Leisure and hospitality
Other services
Government
Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics.
•
Apr.
2017
2,739.5
1.8
120.0
162.9
597.2
98.2
172.4
513.9
342.8
295.5
99.9
334.9
Change from Apr.
2016 to Apr. 2017
Number
Percent
87.2
0.1
6.8
1.0
12.8
1.9
7.6
27.5
10.2
11.7
2.3
5.3
3.3
5.9
6.0
0.6
2.2
2.0
4.6
5.7
3.1
4.1
2.4
1.6
Over-the-year changes in the selling prices received by
producers for selected industries nationwide
Over-the-year change in the prices paid by urban
consumers for selected categories
12-month percent change in CPI-U, April 2017
10.0
9.3
Atlanta area
U.S. city average
8.0
2.0
5.0
0.0
3.2
2.2
-2.0
2.0
0.0
12-month percent changes in PPI
4.0
6.0
4.0
Percent
6.0
0.2
All Items
0.5
General freight trucking
Hospitals
Employment services
-4.0
Food
Energy
-6.0
Apr-14
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Price Index.
Average annual spending and percent distribution for
selected categories
Atlanta area average annual expenditures 2014-15
Apr-15
Housing
$17,684
33.2%
Healthcare
$4,098
7.7%
Personal
insurance &
pensions
$7,613
14.3%
Food
$5,892
11.1%
Transportation
$8,586
16.1%
Total:
$53,195
Employer costs per hour worked for wages and
selected employee benefits by geographic division
Total compensation
Wages and salaries
Total benefits
Paid leave
Vacation
Supplemental pay
Insurance
Retirement and savings
Legally required benefits
Atlanta area
United
States
Total, all occupations
$24.38
$23.86
Financial managers
71.48
67.17
General and operations managers
59.90
58.70
Computer systems analysts
45.89
44.05
Management analysts
45.62
44.19
Accountants and auditors
38.02
36.89
Registered nurses
32.63
34.70
Customer service representatives
17.46
16.91
Construction laborers
17.00
18.22
Retail salespersons
12.25
13.07
Cashiers
9.63
10.43
Waiters and waitresses
9.25
11.73
Cooks, fast food
8.99
9.89
Source: U.S. BLS, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2016.
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Expenditure Survey.
Private industry, December
2016
Apr-17
Average hourly wages for selected occupations
Occupation
All other
$9,322
17.5%
Apr-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Producer Price Index.
South Atlantic
(1)
$30.90
21.81
9.09
2.23
1.15
0.83
2.44
1.28
2.31
(1) South Atlantic includes DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, and WV.
Source: U.S. BLS, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation.
United
States
$32.76
22.83
9.93
2.28
1.17
1.15
2.63
1.31
2.56
Over-the-year changes in wages and salaries
Percent
4.5
12-month percent changes in ECI
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
Mar-14
Atlanta area
Mar-15
Source: U.S. BLS, Employment Cost Index.
Southeast Information Office • [email protected] • https://www.bls.gov/regions/southeast • 404-893-4222
United States
Mar-16
Mar-17