CEO report

Fair

Barometer 69 of 100 · 30.30 in. Hg · page updated Oct 21, 2026

This one-page read turns the public data behind CSRA Business Weather into what a business leader needs to decide on: hiring, pay, expansion and risk. It rebuilds itself after every data refresh.

The bottom line

The Augusta metro reads Fair. Unemployment is 4.1% (Aug 2026), 1,922 jobs have been announced at projects in the region, and 789 workers are on layoff notices filed in the past 12 months, about 0.28% of the labor force. Labor is tight, so hiring takes longer and pay matters more.

Outlook

Next 30 days: Fair, steady. Holding Fair, with layoffs the one cloud to watch.

Unemployment is 4.1% in the Augusta metro, down from 4.4% a year ago.
1,922 announced jobs at seven projects outweigh the 789 workers on WARN layoff notices.

Watch: New layoff notices are the fastest way for the needle to move this month.

Next 90 days: Fair, steady. Fair, with hiring competition building as projects ramp.

Announced projects such as Aurubis and AmbioPharm hire in stages, so demand for production, maintenance and logistics workers should build over the coming months.
The mean wage here is $28.85 an hour against $33.54 nationally, so employers hiring against new projects may face pay pressure.

Watch: More WARN notices, or a rise in unemployment, would take the needle toward Change.

Forecast confidence: Low. The record holds only 5 readings so far, so the calls lean on the current data.

Where the economy is moving

Growing: Other services (+9.3%) and Education and health (+2.2%).
Shrinking: Construction, mining, logging (−4.5%) and Financial activities (−2.5%).
Biggest announced projects: Aurubis, Richmond County GA, GF Casting Solutions, Augusta GA and AmbioPharm, Aiken County SC.

Sector figures are Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs for the Augusta metro, Aug 2026. Small sectors, such as Other services, swing widely from month to month. Full tables: jobs by industry, major projects, layoffs.

Four questions worth asking this month

Where will we compete for talent? About 1,922 announced jobs are coming, led by Aurubis, Richmond County GA, and they hire in stages. Which of our roles overlap with theirs?
Our pay is built for a market where the mean wage is $28.85 an hour against $33.54 nationally. Where are we below the local mean for roles we cannot afford to lose?
789 workers are on recent layoff notices, led by Quad/Graphics (241). Is there skilled talent there we should be speaking with now?
Other services is the strongest sector (+9.3%) and Construction, mining, logging the weakest (−4.5%). Does our customer base lean toward either?

These are questions for your own team, not recommendations. Your numbers, customers and risk tolerance decide the answers.

Looking for the people side of this? See the HR report and the free management training.

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Quick answers

What is the business outlook in Augusta, GA?

The Augusta metro business barometer reads Fair. Holding Fair, with layoffs the one cloud to watch.

Is it a good time to hire in Augusta?

Unemployment is 4.1% and 1,922 jobs are announced at regional projects. Labor is tight, so expect competition for skilled workers.

More local data

Unemployment Layoffs Jobs by industry Wages Major projects New businesses Full barometer

General information from public sources, not advice for any single business. Disclaimer. Corrections: mike@peaktcs.com.