A recent report analyzing job data puts Oconee County and the Seneca micropolitan on the map for having the highest concentration of Industrial Engineers and Industrial Engineer Technicians. With a concentration 5.02 times greater than the national average, Seneca not only leads the Upstate, but also ranks seventh in the nation for these types of jobs. While Seneca may not have the largest total number of industrial engineers in the Upstate, the concentration of these jobs is what sets it apart. Engineering jobs make up a greater percentage of the jobs available in Seneca than in any other area in Upstate, South Carolina.
When breaking these numbers down further to represent only Industrial Engineers, Seneca’s concentration is 4.69 times greater than the national average, with an average hourly wage rate of $35.47. Recent data shows that between 2015 and 2016, Oconee County had an increase in the number of jobs for Industrial Engineers and Industrial Engineer Technicians of 4.2% compared to a state increase of only 3.3%, and a national increase of only 0.5%. According to regional trends for our area, we can only expect to see these numbers increase in the coming years.
In addition to Industrial Engineering, Oconee County is also home to a large concentration of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineers, as well as many others. In 2016, the county employed over 1,000 Engineers and Engineer Technicians; 321% above the national average. With average hourly earnings of $39.39, the Oconee rates are on par with the national average of $40.13/hr.
This data just goes to show that Oconee County is the geography of opportunity for business. This is the place where ideas are formed, designs are created, and products are made. For those who like to work with their hands, solve problems, and find new ways to do things, maybe you should “Think Oconee”.
Emily Hodge is an Economic Development Specialist for the Oconee Economic Alliance, which is a public-private nonprofit effort to accelerate job creation and capital investment, increase per capita income, diversify the local tax base and generate awareness of Oconee County as a business location. To learn more visit www.InvestOconeeSC.com.