Menu
The workforce in Union County is the backbone of the manufacturing community. Born from an agrarian history of working with their hands, the people in Union County know and understand how to work with metals. They understand the importance of being able to fix machinery. They understand the importance of precise tolerances. They understand the need to innovate. It is for these reasons that the workforce is the key element to the success of thriving companies located here.
Today, Union County supports its workforce with strong programs geared towards manufacturing rooted in the Union County Public School system and refined through courses at South Piedmont Community College.
134,175
Civilian Workforce
October 2023; as reported November 30, 2023
2.9%
Unemployment Rate
October 2023; as reported November 30, 2023
38
Average Age
Of Union County Resdients
-45,000
Commuting Pattern
Net Loss to Mecklenburg County
2019-2020
Previous Wage Surveys
Current wage data sourced from an annual wage survey of Union County manufacturers can be found in the PDF document on the left. Click on the image to download the full document.
This wage survey serves as a bench marking tool for local industries and provides extensive data on wage rates, laborsheds, benefits and more.
$64,998
Average Manufacturing Wage (ALL)
Hourly and Salary
$22.99
Average Manufacturing Wage Rate
Hourly
$81,479
Average Manufacturing Salary
Non-Executive
The Union County Public School System is one of the most desirable public school systems in the State. Statewide, Union County Public Schools possess 4 of the top 25 elementary schools, 3 of the top 25 middle schools and 4 of the top 25 high schools, including the number one ranked school, Central Academy for Technology and Arts (“CATA”). Respectively, Weddington, Marvin Ridge and Cuthbertson high schools are ranked 10th, 15th and 16th in the state.
93.0%
UCPS Graduation Rate
2018-2019
South Piedmont Community College is Union County’s place for technical and specialized industrial training to support a long career in the manufacturing and commercial sectors of the local economy. South Piedmont is North Carolina’s newest community college—created in 1999 by the North Carolina General Assembly. South Piedmont is one of the best recruitment and retention tools available to the community, as it is the leader in customized training for the local industries and continuing education that ensures the workforce is prepared for the precision manufacturing base that has been developed in Union County.
Wingate University is Union County’s local institution of higher learning. They house one of only four Pharmaceutical Schools in the State of North Carolina. The School of Pharmacy opened on the main campus in 2003 to offer the PharmD degree, the school’s first doctorate degree. The School of Education began offering a master’s degree in educational leadership in 2006. In 2008, Wingate began offering a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership. The Levine College of Health Sciences opened on the main campus in 2011 to house the School of Pharmacy and the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. Finally, Wingate added the Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 2014.
When relocating to or expanding your business in the City of Monroe and Union County, North Carolina, we are here to help guide you through the process.