The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that Atlanta recorded an unemployment rate of 3.6% in March, unchanged from a revised 3.6% in February. A year ago, the rate was 3.3%.

“In March, Georgians from every corner of the state stepped up, joining the workforce and filling critical jobs that drive our state’s economy forward,” said Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. "By working with regional partners across the state, we’re creating a globally competitive workforce — one that’s built to last and ready to lead Georgia into its next phase of prosperity."

The labor force in Atlanta increased by 25,205 to 3,307,851. This number decreased by 11,231 compared to February 2024.

The number of employed increased by 25,693 to 3,189,946 in March. Over the year, the number of employed decreased by 19,080 from a year earlier.

The number of unemployed decreased by 488 to 117,905 in March. Over the year, the number of unemployed rose by 7,849 from the previous year.

Atlanta ended March with 3,110,700 jobs. Jobs increased by 11,300 over the month and by 19,000 over the year.

Over the month, jobs were up in accommodation and food services, 1,900; health care and social assistance, 1,700; local government, 1,600; retail trade, 1,300; and management of companies, 1,100.

Jobs were down over the month in transportation, warehousing, and utilities, -2,400; professional and technical services, -1,100; and wholesale trade, -700.

The sectors with the most over the year job gains included health care and social assistance, 20,600; arts, entertainment, and recreation, 3,700; finance and insurance, 2,900; federal government, 2,400; and state government, 2,000.

Jobs were down over the year in administrative and support services, -7,900; transportation, warehousing, and utilities, -4,700; accommodation and food services, -3,500; retail trade, -2,800; and specialty trade contractors, -900.

In March, initial unemployment claims decreased by 411 from the previous month to 11,610. Claims were up by 1,006 from March of the previous year.