The Best Careers in Atlanta: High-Growth Jobs, Local Employers, and How to Get Started

Atlanta is one of the Southeast’s strongest job markets, with a mix of corporate headquarters, film production, tech startups, healthcare systems, logistics hubs, and government agencies. If you live in Atlanta—or are thinking about moving here—you’ll find that some careers offer especially strong opportunities, advancement potential, and long-term stability.

This guide breaks down the best careers in Atlanta, why they’re in demand, where people typically work, and what steps locals often take to enter or advance in these fields.

How to Think About “Best Careers” in Atlanta

The best careers in Atlanta usually combine some or all of these:

• Strong local demand (lots of employers and job postings)
• Competitive pay for the cost of living
• Career growth and promotion paths
• Local training options (Atlanta-area schools, certifications, apprenticeships)
• Stability even when the economy shifts

Atlanta’s strengths sit in a few big clusters:

• Corporate HQ and business services
• Technology
• Film, TV, and media
• Healthcare and life sciences
• Logistics and transportation
• Construction and skilled trades
• Government and education

Below are the careers and sectors that stand out in the Atlanta metro area.

1. Technology and IT Careers in Atlanta

Atlanta is often described as a growing technology hub for the Southeast. Tech careers here tend to cluster in:

• Midtown (Tech Square area near Georgia Tech)
• Buckhead
• Perimeter Center / Sandy Springs
• Alpharetta and “Technology Corridor” suburbs

In-demand tech roles

Common high-potential tech careers in Atlanta include:

• Software Developer / Software Engineer
• Data Analyst / Data Scientist
• Cybersecurity Analyst / Engineer
• Cloud Engineer / DevOps Engineer
• IT Support / Help Desk Technician
• UI/UX Designer
• Business Analyst (IT-focused)

These roles support everything from financial services and healthcare systems to logistics and media companies.

Where Atlantans often work in tech

Professionals often find work at:

• Large corporations with IT departments (financial institutions, telecom, airlines, logistics)
• Tech-focused companies in Midtown and Alpharetta
• Startups in and around Tech Square near Georgia Tech
• IT consulting and staffing firms

How to get into tech in Atlanta

Many locals start with:

• Degrees from Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, or other area schools
• Coding bootcamps located in Midtown, Buckhead, or Perimeter
• Entry-level IT support roles that lead to more advanced positions
• Industry certifications (for example, CompTIA, AWS, or Cisco)

For job seekers, the Georgia Department of Labor Career Center at
148 Andrew Young International Blvd NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 232-4700
can be a useful starting point for tech and other roles.

2. Healthcare and Nursing Careers

The Atlanta metro is a major healthcare hub for the region, with large hospital systems, specialty clinics, and research institutions.

High-demand healthcare careers

Some of the strongest healthcare careers in Atlanta include:

• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Nurse Practitioner (NP)
• Physician Assistant (PA)
• Medical Technologist / Laboratory Technician
• Radiologic and MRI Technologists
• Respiratory Therapists
• Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists
• Healthcare Administrators and Practice Managers
• Medical Assistants and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)

Major healthcare employers in the Atlanta area

Many residents work in or around:

• Large hospital systems and specialty centers within the I‑285 perimeter and nearby suburbs
• Pediatric healthcare centers
• VA and other government healthcare facilities
• Private practices and ambulatory surgical centers

How locals move into healthcare careers

Common Atlanta pathways include:

• Nursing and allied health programs at Georgia State University, Emory University, Kennesaw State University, Clayton State University, and area technical colleges
• Practical nursing and medical assistant programs at local technical colleges
• Residency and fellowship programs at teaching hospitals

Healthcare roles that require licensing (like RNs and NPs) are overseen by the Georgia Board of Nursing, headquartered at the Georgia Board of Nursing office:
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, GA 31217
(844) 753-7825

3. Film, TV, and Creative Media Careers

Atlanta has become one of the country’s busiest film and TV production centers, often called the “Hollywood of the South.”

Popular careers in Atlanta’s film and media scene

Atlanta’s entertainment industry supports many careers, such as:

• Film and TV Production Crew (grips, gaffers, production assistants)
• Camera Operators and Editors
• Production Designers and Set Builders
• Hair, Makeup, and Costume Professionals
• Location Managers
• Sound Technicians
• Digital Media and Content Creators

Where the industry is active

Production and media work is often based in:

• Large studio complexes in the metro area
• On-location shoots across Atlanta neighborhoods and nearby towns
• Post-production houses and media agencies in Midtown, Buckhead, and Westside

Entering the entertainment industry in Atlanta

People in Atlanta usually get started by:

• Working as production assistants (PAs) on local sets
• Attending film programs at area colleges or specialized schools
• Taking short technical courses related to camera work, lighting, or editing
• Networking through local film offices and industry events

The Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office is housed within the state Department of Economic Development:
75 5th Street NW, Suite 1200
Atlanta, GA 30308
(404) 962-4000

4. Business, Finance, and Corporate Careers

Atlanta hosts multiple Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 headquarters, plus a dense cluster of banks, insurance companies, and consulting firms.

High-potential corporate roles

Common strong career tracks include:

• Financial Analyst and Financial Manager
• Accountant / CPA / Auditor
• Management Consultant
• Marketing and Brand Manager
• Human Resources Specialist / HR Manager
• Project Manager
• Sales Manager and Business Development roles
• Operations Manager

Where corporate jobs concentrate

Business and finance careers in Atlanta tend to cluster in:

• Downtown and Midtown corporate towers
• Buckhead (many financial and professional service firms)
• Perimeter Center and Sandy Springs
• Cumberland / Vinings near major office complexes

Getting started or moving up

Atlanta professionals often build these careers through:

• Business degrees from schools like Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Emory’s Goizueta Business School, and other area universities
• Internships with Atlanta-based corporations
• Professional certifications such as CPA, CFA, SHRM, or PMP, depending on the field

5. Logistics, Supply Chain, and Transportation

Because of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, major interstates, rail access, and warehousing centers, logistics is one of Atlanta’s defining industries.

In-demand logistics careers

Atlanta residents often find strong prospects in roles like:

• Supply Chain Analyst and Manager
• Logistics Coordinator
• Warehouse Manager
• Transportation Planner
• Truck Driver (CDL)
• Fleet Manager
• Import/Export Specialist

Where these jobs are based

You’ll see many positions in:

• Areas near Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (logistics hubs, cargo operations)
• Industrial and warehouse parks on the south and west sides of the metro
• Corporate headquarters handling regional and national distribution

Training and entry routes

Common steps Atlanta job seekers take:

• Earning supply chain degrees from nearby universities and colleges
• Completing CDL training programs at Atlanta-area technical colleges and truck driving schools
• Starting in entry-level warehouse or dispatcher roles and working up to management

The Georgia Department of Driver Services handles CDL licensing and information:
2206 East View Parkway
Conyers, GA 30013
(678) 413-8400

6. Construction, Skilled Trades, and Real Estate

Metro Atlanta continues to see steady residential, commercial, and infrastructure development, which supports construction and trades careers.

Strong careers in construction and trades

Some of the best trades and construction jobs in Atlanta include:

• Electrician
• Plumber
• HVAC Technician
• Carpenter
• Construction Project Manager
• Heavy Equipment Operator
• Building Inspector
• Commercial and Residential Real Estate Agent or Broker
• Property Manager

Why these careers do well in Atlanta

• Ongoing housing development in suburbs and in-town neighborhoods
• Commercial projects and infrastructure upgrades
• Renovations of older properties and adaptive reuse projects in areas like the Westside and Old Fourth Ward

How Atlantans enter these fields

Common routes:

• Apprenticeships or on-the-job training with local contractors
• Programs at Atlanta Technical College and other technical colleges
• Real estate pre-licensing courses from state-approved schools

Real estate licensing is overseen by the Georgia Real Estate Commission:
229 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1000
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 656-3916

7. Education, Public Sector, and Nonprofit Careers

Atlanta is home to major public school systems, universities, and government agencies, along with a significant nonprofit presence.

Education careers

Some of the best education-related careers in Atlanta are:

• K–12 Teacher
• School Administrator / Principal
• School Counselor
• University Faculty and Staff
• Academic Advisor
• Instructional Designer

Public school jobs are often found across:

• Atlanta Public Schools (APS)
  130 Trinity Ave SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  (404) 802-3500

• Surrounding county school districts (e.g., Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett)

Government and nonprofit careers

Atlanta also offers careers in:

• City, county, and state government administration
• Urban planning and transportation planning
• Public health
• Social services and case management
• Policy analysis and community development
• Grant writing and nonprofit management

Several roles are based in and around downtown Atlanta, the Capitol area, and major government office buildings.

To explore public sector jobs, many residents look at openings with:

• City of Atlanta (various departments)
• Fulton County Government
• State of Georgia agencies headquartered in Atlanta

8. Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Careers

With its convention centers, sports venues, music scene, and attractions, Atlanta offers many careers in hospitality and events.

Common hospitality and tourism careers

Popular roles include:

• Hotel Manager and Front Office Management
• Event Planner and Conference Coordinator
• Restaurant Management
• Catering and Banquet Management
• Tourism and Visitor Services
• Sports and Entertainment Venue Operations

You’ll find many opportunities around:

• Downtown and Midtown (large hotels and convention centers)
• Buckhead (upscale hotels and dining)
• Major venues in the Vine City, Cumberland, and College Park areas

These fields can offer strong opportunities to advance from entry-level service roles into operations, sales, and management positions over time.

Quick Comparison: Best Career Areas in Atlanta

Below is a simple overview to help you compare key sectors:

How to Choose the Best Atlanta Career for You

When deciding which Atlanta career path fits you, consider:

• Your strengths: Enjoy numbers, people, hands-on work, or creative projects?
• Education and training time: Are you open to long programs (like nursing) or prefer shorter certifications (like IT support or trades)?
• Work environment: Office towers in Midtown, hospital settings, studios, job sites, or on-the-road work around the metro?
• Growth potential: Do you want a clear ladder to management, specialization, or higher pay?

Local steps you can take

Here are practical actions Atlanta residents often use to move forward:

• Visit a Georgia Department of Labor career center for job search help and workshops.
• Contact Atlanta Technical College or other technical colleges for program information about trades, healthcare, logistics, and IT.
• Explore continuing education and certificate programs at Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, and other area schools.
• Attend local job fairs and industry events in Midtown, downtown, or near major campuses and convention venues.

By focusing on careers that are strongly rooted in Atlanta’s economy—and using local training and resources—you can build a path that matches both your interests and the city’s best opportunities.