Central Georgia facilities see high demand for health care workers amid statewide growth
WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Georgia has reached a historic economic milestone, surpassing 5 million jobs for the first time in the state’s history, with the health care sector leading unprecedented growth across Central Georgia.
The Georgia Department of Labor announced that June employment hit an all-time high of 5,001,100 jobs, representing an increase of 29,800 positions over the past year. The state’s unemployment rate remained steady at 3.5%, well below the national average.
Health care and social assistance emerged as the dominant growth driver, according to the data, adding 3,900 jobs in June alone and 24,300 positions over the past 12 months—more than any other sector.
“Health care in general is something that remains a booming field because number one, it is very competitive. We are in need of nurses, and that’s nationally, that’s just not in the South,” Ginger Taylor, who works at The Canopy Senior Living in Warner Robins said. “Not just here in Warner Robins, that is a problem that we’re having systemically.”
The facility, which opened in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, serves residents requiring both assisted living and memory care services. Taylor says the demand has created opportunities at various skill levels, from certified nursing assistants to entry-level caregivers.
“We utilize medication technicians and those are staff members that are able to administer medications without having like state licensure but they do go through training and they do get tested by the state to ensure that they know what they’re doing,” Taylor said. “And then we also have caregivers that are able to come in and they don’t have to be certified nursing assistants.”
The growth isn’t coincidental, according to economists who point to increased demand for health care services.
“As the population ages and baby boomers retire, there’s just a little bit higher demand for those types of services,” Greg George, an economist at Middle Georgia State University said. “They obviously start running into health issues at an elder age.”
George noted that Georgia’s appeal as a retirement destination, particularly in warm-climate areas, amplifies this trend.
“The southern warm climate state, you have a lot of influx of retirees into the state,” George said. “So it’s just natural that those sectors of the economy are going to grow a little bit faster than the other sectors.”
The health care boom extends beyond nursing positions. Taylor said facilities need workers across multiple roles to serve an aging population.
“We need to have more people are interested in caring for others,” she said. “The nursing field is open clinically you’ve got your CNA field, you’ve got your med techs, you’ve got your caregivers and so there’s just a plethora of things that are open for people that would like to help others.”
In June, Department of Labor data showed sectors reaching all-time employment highs included financial activities with 286,200 jobs, health care and social assistance with 623,300 positions, and leisure and hospitality with 522,100 jobs.
Other sectors showing strong monthly gains included arts, entertainment and recreation, which added 3,500 jobs; administrative and support services with 3,100 new positions; and construction, adding 1,800 jobs, per the Department of Labor.
George said Georgia’s economic resilience comes from diversification across multiple industries, from agriculture and manufacturing to technology and entertainment.
“Georgia is one of those that really has a good representation in all of the major sectors,” George said. “That kind of diversified portfolio of industries throughout our state really makes us a healthy economy.”
George said he expects health care growth to continue as demographic trends accelerate, with more senior living facilities appearing across Middle Georgia and other regions.
Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes celebrated the milestone in announcing the June employment figures.
“In June, Georgia topped 5 million jobs for the first time in our history, and it didn’t happen by chance,” Holmes said. “Businesses big and small showed up day after day — hiring, investing and believing in Georgia’s commitment to growth.”
The state’s labor force increased by 205 to 5,376,388 in June, though it declined by 36,687 over the past 12 months. Employment rose by 2,802 to 5,189,971 while unemployment fell by 2,597 to 186,417.