Job market in Atlanta

I've been offered a job in the Atlanta area, but as I come from southern AL
(50 miles north of Mobile), I am used to a fairly depressed economy and wage
scale.

I was wondering if any of you could give me insight into the job market in
the Atlanta area (southern). What is a fair wage?

My experience is sheetmetal and some structural fabrication for the past 10
years. I've been operating CAD software for the past 9 years starting with
FastCAD, then progressing to AutoCAD LT. We made the move to SWX about 3
1/2 years ago. I believe that I am proficient with most aspects of the
software (of course, there is always something more to learn).

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Leo

 

The job market SHOULD be reasonably good in Atlanta, Leo . . . better
than in most areas. What kind of wage you could expect depends largely
on what you are doing, not what software you are driving. Are you a
structural detailer (at one extreme)? Or are you an engineer or doing
the work of an engineer (at the other extreme)? Regardless, though, the
job market in general is depressed and so it is an employer's market --
meaning they can pay pretty much what they want to pay because there are
always others willing to take the work at almost any rate -- and that's
no different in Atlanta. I come from there and I'd probably be better
off (financially) there than here in the piedmont region of North
Carolina . . . but that's a very relative statement, and that's not to
say I think I and my family would be better off there in our quality of
life.

Mark 'Sporky' Stapleton
Watermark Design, LLC
http://www.h2omarkdesign.com

 

I don't have any kind of a degree, but have been doing the same type of work
as an engineer for about the last 5 years. All of my training has been OJT
and has ranged from machine design, including specing drive components, to
creating drawings and shop documents for the shop to work from.

I know that there are many variables that play into the answer to my
question.

Thank for the input,
Leo

 

Don't underestimate the traffic when making housing decisions. Commuting
across Atlanta can take 10+ hours a week out of your life.

Richard M

 

Depending on how much good experience you have as a machine designer you
could make upwards of $50K in Atlanta . . . if you're lucky and your
timing is right. But do take Richard M's advice seriously. Atlanta
traffic is truly a nightmare. Commuting some directions can be fine,
but almost any necessity to get on I-285 (the Perimeter) or commute in
the general direction of downtown to get to your job can be very bad for
your mental stability. Exceptions include East/West commutes on I-20
INSIDE I-285 (outside is also a nightmare).