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Workforce

With a deep history in the granite industry and manufacturing, Elbert County is a community known for its hard working and highly skilled labor force. Because of the access to workers and available land, Elbert County, Elberton and Bowman are attractive destinations for both emerging and traditional industries across many sectors of business.

Proximity to the renowned higher education institutions of the University of Georgia in Athens (35 miles) and Clemson University in South Carolina (50 miles) allows area businesses to access a pool of talented young professionals. Adding these bachelor and graduate degree recipients to the pool of graduates from Athens Technical College Elbert Campus and Elbert County High School, the area will continue to provide a pipeline of skilled and capable workers across multiple industries.

Top 10 Largest Private Employers (Number of Employees)

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation

Mollertech South, LLC

Elbert Memorial Hospital

Ingles Markets, Inc.

Walmart

Whitlow Electric Co., Inc.

Heardmont Health Properties

Keystone Memorials, Inc.

Nancy Hart Nursing Center

Everlasting Matthews Granite

Source: BusinessWise 2024; D&B Hoovers 2024

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

Each year, area colleges and universities grant thousands of bachelor and graduate degrees to students across a variety of academic fields. These talented graduates are eager to make an impact in the workforce and are available to fill entry level, associate, and management roles, depending on your open positions and business type.

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.
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