According to the 2010 US census, the top three cities in Georgia are Atlanta, Augusta and Columbus, with Savannah and Athens rounding out the top five. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that, in 2011, Georgia's top industries were Office and Administrative Support Occupations, Sales and Related Occupations, and Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations. The occupations with high employment, such as telemarketers, data entry keyers, restaurant waitstaff, and grocery store clerks, do not require more than a high school diploma or similar education, but job applicants with postsecondary education earn more and have better job benefits. For example, with an associate degree in supervisory management can work as a first-line supervisor. The 2011 average wage for first-line supervisors in Georgia was $34,050 and only $19,350 for waitstaff, according to the BLS.
For students who are fascinated with science or similar subjects, Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is an excellent college to get a science, engineering, architecture or other bachelor, master or doctorate degree. Other top educational institutions in Georgia include the state's university system, which has 35 colleges and universities, and Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), which offers more than a dozen schools. For over 40 years, Georgia has worked with businesses through a program called "Quick Start." The program helps students and businesses create a customized, well-trained workforce. This innovative program helps Georgia students prepare for jobs in ways that other states' students cannot.
Some top employers in Georgia are Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, a children's hospital; Marriott International hotels in the state; and Aflac, the insurance company. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean annual wages are for $62,370 registered nurses, $43,050 for chefs and $118,440 for customer service specialist managers. From the high school level to the doctorate level, the Georgia educational system works with the top companies to prepare job applicants for top-quality employment, either within the state or elsewhere.