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)
