Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said Thursday that Atlanta recorded an unemployment rate of 3.4 percent in September, down six-tenths of a percent from a revised 4.0 percent in August. A year ago, the rate was 3.1 percent.

“This fall, unemployment rates are dropping all across Georgia,” said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “While some metro areas throughout the state have seen a slight dip in jobs, the overall increase in employment shows that more residents are finding work and contributing to our local economies. I will continue to fight for the resources our citizens need to thrive and ensure that Georgia's economy remains competitive and the No. 1 place to do business for years to come.”

The labor force increased in Atlanta by 13,140 and ended the month with 3,283,277. This number increased by 38,986 when compared to September 2023.

The number of employed increased by 33,630 to 3,172,109 in September. From September 2023 to September 2024, the number of employed was up by 28,976.

The number of unemployed was down by 20,490 to 111,168 in September. From September 2023 to September 2024, the number of unemployed was up by 10,010.

Atlanta ended August with 3,096,800 jobs. Jobs were down 600 over-the-month and up 43,000 over the year.

Over-the-month, jobs were up in State Government, 3,200; Health Care and Social Assistance, 3,000; Specialty Trade Contractors, 1,500; Administrative and Support Services, 1,000; and Retail Trade, 700. Jobs were down over-the-month in Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, -3,000; Information, which includes Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries, -2,200; Local Government, -1,900; Wholesale Trade, -1,400; and Finance and Insurance, -900. Jobs were at an all-time high in Private Education and Health Services, 431,400; Government, 363,000; and Construction, 150,400.

The sectors with the most over-the-year job gains included Health Care and Social Assistance, 18,800; Accommodation and Food Services, 16,300; Local Government, 4,500; Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation, 4,000; and Specialty Trade Contractors, 3,600. Jobs were down over-the-year in Administrative and Support Services, -6,700; Wholesale Trade, -5,900; Information, which includes Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries, -3,400; Private Educational Services, -2,100; and Durable Goods Manufacturing, -1,800.

In September, initial claims were down by 2,859 over-the-month to 10,843 and were down by 786 over-the-year.