CSRA Hiring Intentions Survey

Eleven questions, about four minutes. Your answers help build a quarterly picture of what employers across Augusta, Columbia County, Aiken, and the surrounding area plan to do next. Results are published only in combined form, and only after enough employers have responded.

1. Over the next six months, will your headcount grow, hold, or shrink? Grow Hold steady Shrink

2. Which roles are hardest to fill?

Name up to three, separated by commas. This answer stays private and is never published.

3. How much do you plan to raise pay over the next year? No raises planned 1 to 2 percent 3 to 4 percent 5 to 6 percent 7 percent or more

4. About what share of your workforce left in the past 12 months? Under 10 percent 10 to 24 percent 25 to 49 percent 50 percent or more

5. What is your biggest hiring barrier? Candidates lack work ethic or reliability (attendance, effort, follow-through) Candidates have the wrong attitude or behavior for the job Candidates are not mature enough to work reliably or take coaching and feedback Candidates lack the skills Pay expectations Transportation Background, drug, or other screening Too few applicants Something else

6. How would you rate the typical applicant you see today?

Rate each one from Poor to Excellent, based on the people who actually apply to you.

Reliability and attendance

PoorFairGoodExcellent

Attitude and professionalism

PoorFairGoodExcellent

Maturity and openness to coaching and feedback

PoorFairGoodExcellent

7. Of the people you hired in the past six months, about what share left or were let go within 90 days? We did not hire anyone None Under 10 percent 10 to 24 percent 25 to 49 percent 50 percent or more

8. When a new hire does not work out, what is the most common reason? Not applicable, we have not had this happen Attendance or reliability Attitude or behavior Not mature enough to take coaching, feedback, or training Lacked the skills for the job Pay, schedule, or transportation Something else

9. Compared with a year ago, how is demand for your products or services? Higher About the same Lower

10. Do you plan investment in the next year?

Select all that apply.

New equipment New or expanded space Technology or software Hiring new personnel None of these

11. Which cost is putting the most pressure on your business right now? Wages and labor costs Materials or inventory Energy or fuel Rent, financing, or borrowing Insurance or benefits None of these are a major pressure

About your business Where is your main location? Industry Number of employees

Want the results?

Optional. Your email and company name are kept apart from your answers and used only to send you the results.

Company name Email

I agree that my answers may be included in combined results. Individual answers are never published. I have read the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Thank you

Your response is in. Combined results will be published on the CSRA Business Weather page once enough employers have answered.

CSRA Hiring Intentions Survey is part of CSRA Business Weather, a service of Peak Employment Solutions, 308 Eighth Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901, sponsored by Peak Augusta. © 2026 Peak Employment Solutions. Terms · Privacy · Disclaimer.