• While overall employment in the State of Georgia increased 8.43% between 1997 and 2002, employment within the construction industry rose by 34.95%, creating 57,311 new construction jobs as well as 2,362 new construction establishments founded in 5 years.

• According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 163,981 individuals employed in the construction industry in Georgia in 1997 and 221,292 in 2002, an increase of 34.95% in 5 years. 

• Construction workers in Georgia saw a salary increase of 8.33% from 1997-2002, compared to the average salary increase construction workers across the United States, which increased by 14.97%. 

• The number of businesses in Georgia grew from 146,841 in 1997 to 158,715 in 2002, an increase of 8.09%.  Construction establishments in Georgia however, increased by 13.20% from 17,896 in 1997 to 20,258 in 2002.

• Of the 11,874 new businesses established between 1997 and 2002 in Georgia, 2,362 or 19.89% of those establishments were in the construction industry.

• According to Union Membership and Coverage Database, available at www.unionstats.com, in 2006, only 4.2 percent of Georgia’s private construction workforce belonged to a construction trade union.  That means that approximately 96 out of 100 Georgia’s private construction workers do not belong to a labor union.

Data are from the U.S. Bureau of the Census except where noted.

• Georgia does not have a state prevailing wage law