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Drug Testing Atlanta, GA

Known for its walkability, vibrant art scene, and promising commercial market, Atlanta, Georgia has become one of the top-ranked cities to live in the United States. Low housing costs, a booming tech industry home to multiple Fortune 500 companies, and an abundance of entertainment options make Atlanta a sought-after destination among professionals of all ages.

Some of the country’s most well-known companies have headquarters in Atlanta, including:

• Coca-Cola
• CNN
• Home Depot
• UPS
• Delta
• AT&T
• Chick-fil-A

Covering industries and sectors across the board, Atlanta’s buzzing job market promises rewarding and exciting opportunities for all who choose to make the city their home. In response, the city has experienced an ever-growing influx of new residents looking to take advantage of all the benefits of living in a fast-paced commercial environment.

We explore employment statistics of Atlanta, how the job market has reacted to the growth in the local workforce, and what is in store for the future of the city’s businesses. We also cover the various challenges a growing market poses to Atlanta businesses and how they can adjust to cater to a rapidly increasing number of job applications and employees needing onboarding.

The Cultural Hub of Southeastern America

Although its history reaches much further back, the city of Atlanta only took on its modern name in 1845. Serving first as a railway community, Atlanta quickly grew into a bustling hub for military and government activities during the late 19th century.

Building on this buzz of activity, every aspect of business grew rapidly and, in response, so did the city’s educational institutions. Home to more than 40 degree-granting learning centers, Atlanta produces thousands of talented, skilled graduates who are more than ready to take on work in and around the city.

Whether working in journalism, corporate, or tech, Atlanta has a calling to suit every new employee, candidate, or recruit’s ambitions.

This, combined with a vibrant cultural atmosphere, renowned southern cuisine, and a variety of entertainment venues and activities, has put Atlanta at the top of the list for many professionals looking to relocate to a more favorable job market in a city with much to offer.

A Job Market Going Strong

Over the past two decades, Atlanta has experienced a massive increase in its local population. Growing from 2.9 million to over 4.1 million, this influx of working-age individuals and families has made the city a popular choice for headquarters and operations among megacorporations and companies in search of a skilled, motivated workforce.¹

As of October 2022, the Atlanta job market has experienced a 153,000 job growth year-on-year. This puts Atlanta sixth on the list of cities with the greatest year-over-year increase in non-farm employment. It follows cities like New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Houston.²

Atlanta’s unemployment rate is also significantly lower than the national average of 3.7%, sitting at 2.9% in October, 2022, after an unexpected rise compared to September.²

Atlanta’s biggest employers have significantly contributed to the overall decline in unemployment. In 2021, the five top employers in the city were:

• Emory University – 32,482 full-time employees
• Delta Airlines Inc. – 31,834 full-time employees
• Northside Hospital, Inc. – 25,296 full-time employees
• Piedmont Healthcare – 25,110 full-time employees
• The Home Depot, Inc. – 25,000 full-time employees

No matter the sector, Atlanta’s job market has become highly competitive and fast-paced.

Employment Statistics for Atlanta, GA

To highlight the growth Atlanta’s job market is currently experiencing, we’ve summarized the city’s most current employment statistics as the year-on-year job number growth for each sector reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.³

The leisure and hospitality industry has seen the greatest year-on-year growth in job numbers, while several other industries tied around the 5% mark. Growth across the board indicates Atlanta’s job market is not just strong, but also moving in the right direction.

Looking to the Future

While Atlanta’s current employment statistics are incredibly promising, the future looks even brighter. Forecasts predict Atlanta may add up to 2.9 million people to its population by 2050, bringing about a sudden spike in the number of skilled job seekers taking up residence in the city.⁴

Although employment is predicted to grow at a slower pace compared to population, it’s estimated another 1.2 million jobs will be added to the city’s already robust job market.

In addition to intensifying the competition and pace of business in the city, this sudden increase is sure to put immense pressure on expanding companies and businesses to streamline their application and onboarding processes.

Streamlining to Success

Without streamlined onboarding and application processes, companies experiencing a rise in applications and job seekers may encounter significant delays. In a market dominated by industry greats like Coca-Cola, Home Depot, and CNN, even a few days of delay could mean the perfect candidate is snatched up by another business.

Making sure potential employees are vetted thoroughly and quickly can make the entire process faster. One aspect of employee onboarding with significant room for improvement is pre-employment drug tests. Job candidate drug testing not only helps you determine whether employees are reliable, but could help keep your workplace and workers much safer.

However, conducting confidential drug testing requires sending samples to accredited labs, which can contribute even more delays when bombarded with a sudden increase in tests being run.

How AMH Nationwide Helps Keep Your Workplace Safe

AMH Nationwide has spent 25 years giving businesses access to quick, accurate, and affordable drug testing.

As part of our industry-leading services, we also offer to compile a random in-house drug screening schedule to ensure your company’s policy on drug use remains rigorously enforced yet fair.

Sources:

1. https://www.atlantaga.gov/visitors/history
2. https://www.bls.gov/regions/southeast/news-release/areaemployment_atlanta.htm
3. https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.ga_atlanta_msa.htm