Industries with the highest employment in Atlanta
Written by:
February 25, 2021
Updated on February 26, 2021
Canva
Industries with the highest employment in Atlanta
The COVID-19 pandemic radically altered the U.S. economy, with unemployment peaking at , according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). While jobs have been gaining since, millions of out-of-work Americans are still searching for jobs.
Before COVID-19 gutted the economy, the United States' economic landscape was , with health care, computer systems design, and scientific industries leading a push for more employment. On the flip side, industries like wired telecommunications, postal service, and textile production are showing a rapid decline. With the development of newer and more advanced technologies every day, the job landscape is shifting and so are the pay demands and prerequisite skills. There is a strong correlation between advanced education and a higher salary鈥攚orkers with higher education levels have higher wages and lower unemployment rates. Of course, it should be noted that obstacles remain for universal access to quality higher education.
compiled a list of industries with the highest employment in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA Metro Area using data from . Industries are ranked by number of employees as of 2019.
Keep reading to see which industries in Atlanta are the surest bets for employment.
You may also like:
Highest-rated pizza restaurants in the Atlanta area by diners
#19. Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA Metro Area
- Employed: 2,160 (0.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -4.5%
National
- Employed: 799,011
- Percent of total employment: 0.5%
- #19 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 2,160 (0.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -4.5%
National
- Employed: 799,011
- Percent of total employment: 0.5%
- #19 most common industry nationwide
#18. Management of companies and enterprises
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA Metro Area
- Employed: 7,244 (0.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +168.7%
National
- Employed: 232,031
- Percent of total employment: 0.1%
- #20 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 7,244 (0.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +168.7%
National
- Employed: 232,031
- Percent of total employment: 0.1%
- #20 most common industry nationwide
#17. Utilities
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA Metro Area
- Employed: 24,216 (0.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +42.1%
National
- Employed: 1,272,369
- Percent of total employment: 0.8%
- #18 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 24,216 (0.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +42.1%
National
- Employed: 1,272,369
- Percent of total employment: 0.8%
- #18 most common industry nationwide
#16. Arts, entertainment, and recreation
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA Metro Area
- Employed: 56,040 (1.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +51.6%
National
- Employed: 3,532,697
- Percent of total employment: 2.2%
- #14 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 56,040 (1.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +51.6%
National
- Employed: 3,532,697
- Percent of total employment: 2.2%
- #14 most common industry nationwide
#15. Real estate and rental and leasing
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA Metro Area
- Employed: 68,133 (2.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +19.7%
National
- Employed: 3,034,330
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #15 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 68,133 (2.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +19.7%
National
- Employed: 3,034,330
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #15 most common industry nationwide
You may also like:
Recently opened restaurants in the Atlanta area
#14. Information
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA Metro Area
- Employed: 86,943 (2.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +4.1%
National
- Employed: 2,959,616
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #16 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 86,943 (2.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +4.1%
National
- Employed: 2,959,616
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #16 most common industry nationwide
#13. Wholesale trade
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA Metro Area
- Employed: 97,380 (3.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +9.5%
National
- Employed: 4,013,368
- Percent of total employment: 2.5%
- #13 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 97,380 (3.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +9.5%
National
- Employed: 4,013,368
- Percent of total employment: 2.5%
- #13 most common industry nationwide
#12. Public administration
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA Metro Area
- Employed: 113,375 (3.7% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -0.8%
National
- Employed: 7,140,292
- Percent of total employment: 4.5%
- #11 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 113,375 (3.7% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -0.8%
National
- Employed: 7,140,292
- Percent of total employment: 4.5%
- #11 most common industry nationwide
#11. Other services, except public administration
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA Metro Area
- Employed: 146,429 (4.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +19.2%
National
- Employed: 7,584,054
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #9 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 146,429 (4.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +19.2%
National
- Employed: 7,584,054
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #9 most common industry nationwide
#10. Finance and insurance
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA Metro Area
- Employed: 154,787 (5.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +31.4%
National
- Employed: 7,263,440
- Percent of total employment: 4.6%
- #10 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 154,787 (5.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +31.4%
National
- Employed: 7,263,440
- Percent of total employment: 4.6%
- #10 most common industry nationwide
You may also like:
Mortgage rates fall to 10鈥憁onth low, offering relief for Atlanta buyers
#9. Administrative and support and waste management services
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA Metro Area
- Employed: 165,345 (5.4% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +31.8%
National
- Employed: 6,766,918
- Percent of total employment: 4.3%
- #12 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 165,345 (5.4% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +31.8%
National
- Employed: 6,766,918
- Percent of total employment: 4.3%
- #12 most common industry nationwide
#8. Construction
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA Metro Area
- Employed: 199,842 (6.6% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +20.8%
National
- Employed: 11,036,894
- Percent of total employment: 7.0%
- #7 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 199,842 (6.6% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +20.8%
National
- Employed: 11,036,894
- Percent of total employment: 7.0%
- #7 most common industry nationwide
#7. Transportation and warehousing
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA Metro Area
- Employed: 206,681 (6.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +51.7%
National
- Employed: 7,665,636
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #8 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 206,681 (6.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +51.7%
National
- Employed: 7,665,636
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #8 most common industry nationwide
#6. Accommodation and food services
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA Metro Area
- Employed: 214,432 (7.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +20.5%
National
- Employed: 11,801,878
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #5 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 214,432 (7.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +20.5%
National
- Employed: 11,801,878
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #5 most common industry nationwide
#5. Manufacturing
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA Metro Area
- Employed: 265,364 (8.7% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +27.7%
National
- Employed: 15,770,698
- Percent of total employment: 9.9%
- #3 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 265,364 (8.7% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +27.7%
National
- Employed: 15,770,698
- Percent of total employment: 9.9%
- #3 most common industry nationwide
You may also like:
Best high schools in the Atlanta metro area
#4. Educational services
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA Metro Area
- Employed: 268,425 (8.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +25.0%
National
- Employed: 14,839,461
- Percent of total employment: 9.3%
- #4 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 268,425 (8.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +25.0%
National
- Employed: 14,839,461
- Percent of total employment: 9.3%
- #4 most common industry nationwide
#3. Professional, scientific, and technical services
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA Metro Area
- Employed: 308,537 (10.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +54.9%
National
- Employed: 11,765,340
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #6 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 308,537 (10.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +54.9%
National
- Employed: 11,765,340
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #6 most common industry nationwide
#2. Retail trade
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA Metro Area
- Employed: 316,482 (10.4% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +7.8%
National
- Employed: 17,216,634
- Percent of total employment: 10.8%
- #2 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 316,482 (10.4% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +7.8%
National
- Employed: 17,216,634
- Percent of total employment: 10.8%
- #2 most common industry nationwide
#1. Health care and social assistance
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA Metro Area
- Employed: 325,121 (10.7% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +28.8%
National
- Employed: 22,131,751
- Percent of total employment: 13.9%
- #1 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 325,121 (10.7% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +28.8%
National
- Employed: 22,131,751
- Percent of total employment: 13.9%
- #1 most common industry nationwide
