Aerospace

Top-Ranked State for Aerospace

Why Macon for the Aerospace Industry?

Middle Georgia has been dubbed Georgia’s “Aerospace Corridor,” due to the large concentration of aerospace-related industries in the area, including more than 100 aerospace companies and contractors. Middle Georgia is also home to Robins Air Force Base, the largest industrial complex in the state, with over 21,000 maintenance and logistics workers.

With a perfect combination of infrastructure, skilled workers, and a business-friendly environment across the state, it's easy to see why Georgia is consistently hailed as one of the best states for aerospace companies to operate.

Macon's Advantages

  • Workforce advantages for aerospace companies
  • Middle Georgia State University is the only 4-year aviation program in the state
  • Local aerospace engineering and technical training programs
  • Three FAA-certified Airframe and Powerplant mechanic training programs in the area
  • Skilled, educated workforce
  • Competitive wage rates
  • Strategic location at the heart of Georgia at intersections of I-75, I-475, I-16
  • Norfolk Southern Railroad’s largest switching yard in the Southeast Georgia Central railroad
  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport within 1 ½ hours
  • Middle GA Regional Airport and Macon downtown airport
  • 26 country draw area over 433,000 people

4

Deep water ports within five hours

82

Commercial markets within 2-day shipping

22

Interstate exits

5000

Miles of rail throughout Georgia

FEATURED EMPLOYER

Embraer

Embraer is the third largest aircraft manufacturer in the world, and in 2018 Embraer brought more than 100 jobs to Macon. Embraer operates out of a 155,000-square-foot facility at the Middle Georgia Regional Airport. The company, based in Brazil invested about $1.6 million into the facility and for operations.

Georgia is at the center of the thriving Southeastern aerospace industry

Georgia is known for its high-quality workforce. With a potential of 420,000 workers in occupations related to Aerospace Manufacturing, Georgia offers an ample supply of skilled employees with a variety of technical backgrounds.

Over the last several years, aerospace developments in the state have sustained their momentum. Companies that are either involved in the manufacturing of aircraft, or suppliers to those manufacturers, continue to recognize all that Georgia has to offer in supporting aerospace.

Georgia is an aerospace leader in both the nation and region.

  • Among Southeastern states, Georgia ranks first in exports of aircraft and aircraft engines and parts
  • Over 23,000 civilian workers at four Air Force bases
  • Georgia’s universities received over $1 billion in R&D for aerospace-related fields, far surpassing the universities of other states

Georgia has one of the largest supplies of skilled labor in aerospace-related occupations. With more than 216,000 workers holding occupations the aerospace industry needs, the state’s workforce can meet the needs of any business in the aerospace industry.

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Relevant Workforce

Bibb County

In Bibb County, there are 5,157 workers in the relevant occupations. By 2026, that number is expected to be 5,171 workers, a 0.3% change.

The table below shows the number of jobs for each occupation for the Aerospace Manufacturing industry. The occupations shown are those with skillsets most relevant to and sought after by employers in the industry.

MEDIAN ANNUAL SALARY 2021 JOBS 2026 JOBS PROJECTED CHANGE PROJECTED % CHANGE
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians $57,484 0 0 0 17.2%
Aerospace Engineers $127,248 26 20 -6 -23.7%
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders $35,500 55 56 1 1.9%
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators $30,425 48 45 -3 -5.7%
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic $35,106 40 40 0 1.2%
Electrical Engineers $100,253 63 57 -6 -9.1%
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $58,555 395 405 11 2.7%
General and Operations Managers $83,205 1,144 1,188 44 3.8%
Helpers--Production Workers $24,811 70 76 6 8.7%
Industrial Engineers $94,308 95 103 8 7.9%
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $39,804 241 228 -12 -5.1%
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $29,974 1,805 1,822 18 1.0%
Machinists $43,689 188 185 -3 -1.7%
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $31,423 371 342 -30 -8.0%
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic $32,750 29 30 2 5.4%
Sheet Metal Workers $38,874 51 47 -3 -6.6%
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks $31,706 296 293 -2 -.08%
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters $30,643 80 74 -6 -7.5%
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $39,804 160 157 -3 -1.8%

36k

Jobs at Aerospace-Related Facilities
(GPC C&ED)

92

Aerospace-Related Facilities in Georgia
(GPC C&ED)

20k

Workers in Aerospace Products and Parts
(EMSI)