Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Atlanta recorded an unemployment rate of 2.9 percent in October, up four-tenths of a percent over the month. A year ago, the rate was 3.2 percent.

"Job seekers have continued to experience a favorable hiring environment across multiple job sectors, despite a slight uptick in unemployment rates," said Commissioner Butler. “As we prepare for peak holiday hiring, we encourage job seekers to take advantage of the many employment opportunities, both full-time and part-time, available across Georgia.”

The labor force increased in Atlanta by 8,796 and ended the month with 3,214,265. This number increased 61,956 when compared to October 2021.

The number of employed decreased 3,341 to 3,120,876 in October from September. From October 2021 to October 2022, the number of employed was up 70,920.

The number of unemployed was up 12,137 to 93,389 in October. From October 2021 to October 2022, the number of unemployed was down 8,964.

Atlanta ended October with 3,023,300 jobs, an all-time high. Jobs were up 25,700 (0.9%) over the month and up 153,600 (5.4%) over the year. Job numbers were at an all-time high in Trade and Transportation, 646,000, Professional and Business Services, 603,000, Education and Health Services, 396,600, Financial Activities, 199,300, and Information, 124,100.

The sectors with the most over-the-month job gains included Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, 4,000, Retail Trade, 3,700, Accommodation and Food Services, 3,500, Health Care and Social Assistance, 2,600, and Finance and Insurance, 2,400.

The number of initial unemployment claims went down by 5 percent in Atlanta in October. When compared to last October, claims were down by about 20 percent.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed about 78,000 active job postings in metro Atlanta for October.