Why So Many Aerospace Jobs are in the Savannah, Georgia Area

Many of you have noticed that we constantly are posting contract opportunities located in Savannah, GA.

Savannah is also the home to Gulfstream Aerospace, which employs over 10,000 people worldwide, and produces more than 2,500 aircraft for customers around the world. In addition, there are over 500 companies that manufacture, repair, and maintain everything from aircraft to guided missiles. More than 22,000 people are employed by major aerospace manufacturing products and parts employers in the State of Georgia. Georgia ranks second to Texas for aircraft engine and parts exports. Georgia ranks #1, as the Southeast's largest aerospace employment.

Ship entering port of Savannah – Talmadge Memorial Bridge

Why are there so many aerospace jobs located there?

The entire coastal Lowcountry region has become an aircraft manufacturing hub, stretching from Charleston to Savannah. Savannah has a unique proximity to both Boeing and Embraer’s facilities: Boeing is only 100 miles away, in Charleston, S.C., and Embraer is located in Jacksonville, FL— 140 miles south. The city is also 500 miles away from Airbus, in Mobile, Alabama. Savannah’s central location enables convenient part deliveries and round-trip service for these companies.

Savannah is also the home to Gulfstream Aerospace, which employs over 10,000 people worldwide, and produces more than 2,500 aircraft for customers around the world.

In addition, there are over 500 companies that manufacture, repair, and maintain everything from aircraft to guided missiles. More than 22,000 people are employed by major aerospace manufacturing products and parts employers in the State of Georgia. Georgia ranks second to Texas for aircraft engine and parts exports. Georgia ranks #1, as the Southeast’s largest aerospace employment.

Overall, Georgia’s aerospace industry is worth about $51 billion, according to a 2013 study.

Aerospace-Related Training

Aerospace-related companies that do business in the Lowcountry area enjoy many advantages, among them access to workers with industry-specific training. Georgia is among the highest producers of aerospace graduates in the nation, and the Savannah area offers a number of educational options for those interested in careers in the field:

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Pooler campus offers associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, along with undergraduate certifications, in a number of industry-related fields.
Savannah Technical College’s Aviation Technology Department offers programs of study in aircraft structures manufacture and repair, luxury craft cabinetmaking, and aircraft electrical equipment repair and installation.
Savannah Tech’s new 30,000-square-foot Aviation Training Center features a 5,000-square-foot hangar, four labs designed and equipped for hands-on, instruction, and classrooms.
Savannah College of Art and Design’s top-ranked industrial design program works with Gulfstream Aerospace, JCB, The Coca-Cola Company, Dell, General Electric and more to improve product design.

Savannah’s Growth

Georgia is at the center of a growing aerospace cluster in Southeast. Savannah is in close proximity to many other opportunities in the growing business of aerospace, and the area’s economic growth prospects are among the best in the nation. For more information about the city, go to Savannah Economic Development Authority’s website.