706-408-7495 director@selectelbert.com Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Workforce

Elbert County is home to a hardworking, highly skilled workforce, shaped by its deep roots in the granite industry and manufacturing. The community’s strong work ethic and craftsmanship make it an ideal location for businesses seeking dependable and capable employees. In addition to the local talent pool, Elbert County benefits from its close proximity to renowned universities like the University of Georgia in Athens (35 miles) and Clemson University in South Carolina (50 miles), providing businesses access to a fresh, well-educated workforce. Combined with graduates from Athens Technical College Elbert Campus and Elbert County High School, the area offers a continuous flow of skilled professionals ready to meet the demands of a wide range of industries.

Top 10 Largest Manufacturers (Number of Employees)

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation

Mollertech South, LLC

Matthews Granite

Whitlow Electric Co., Inc.

Keystone Memorials, Inc.

Turner Concrete Inc.

Hillcrest Granite Co.

Central Granite Co. Inc.

Imex International Inc.

Century Harmony Granite Co.

Source: BusinessWise 2025; JobsEQ 2025

Wages & Income (Elbert County)

Average Hourly Wage:

Average Weekly Wage:

Average Annual Wage:

Per Capita Income:

Median Household Income:

$22.30

$892

$46,684

$42,537

$48,703

Source: Georgia Department of Labor, 2023; Esri, 2024

Major Employment Sectors

Construction
Nonmetallic Mineral Product
Fabricated Metal
Wholesale Trade
Transportation/Warehousing
Finance/Insurance
Healthcare
Government (All)

% Employment

2.3%
12.6%
2.3%
11.1%
1.0%
2.8%
5.8%
23.8%

Avg. Weekly Wage

$875
$992
$967
$1,254
$1,194
$1,464
$820
$914

Source: Georgia Department of Labor, 2023

Technical & Career Education

The Elbert County Campus of Athens Technical College serves more than 500 credit students from Elbert, Hart and Wilkes counties, and other surrounding counties. Athens Technical College is a valuable community resource, providing technical education, career training and economic development resources such as customized training, continuing education and industry certifications.

Programs of study include diesel equipment technology, welding, industrial systems technology, precision machining and manufacturing, health information management, electrical construction and maintenance, among others. Non-credit workforce development programs are taught on-site at the company or at the campus and can be scheduled to accommodate all shifts. Athens Tech administers the Georgia Quick Start and the Retraining Tax Credit programs for clients in its service area.

Top 10 Technical College Certificates (2023)

271

Electrician

178

Cosmetology/Cosmetologist

150

Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician

130

Welding Technology/Welder

127

Child Care Provider/Assistant

114

Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance

106

Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor

94

Computer Installation and Repair Technology/Technician

80

Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician

57

Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping

Colleges & Universities

Area businesses have easy access to a pool of talented young professionals seeking to make an impact in the workforce though Elbert County’s proximity to the renowned higher education institutions, the University of Georgia in Athens (35 miles) and Clemson University in South Carolina (50 miles). These eager graduates, combined with graduates from the Elbert County Campus of Athens Technical College and Elbert County High School, will help the area continue to provide a pipeline of skilled and capable workers across multiple industries.

Elbert County Public Schools

With a four-year graduation rate of 86.08%, Elbert County High School is outpacing the state average by almost two percentage points. Advanced academic opportunities at the high school include honors courses, AP courses and dual enrollment through Athens Tech. The middle school offers four courses for high school credit to qualified eighth graders. In 2023, 72% of ECHS graduates were Career Pathway completers and ECHS is home to the only Granite Technology Pathway in the state.
Learn More