The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that Atlanta recorded an unemployment rate of 3.6 percent in February, up two-tenths from a revised 3.4 percent in January. A year ago, the rate was 3.3 percent.

“Jobs are growing, and so is Georgia’s future," said GDOL Interim Successor Louis DeBroux. "With regional job growth across Georgia in February and the state's unemployment rate holding steady at 3.6%—well below the national average—Georgia continues to prove itself as the #1 place where businesses and talent thrive."

The labor force decreased in Atlanta by 4,823 and ended the month with 3,283,482. This number decreased by 15,721 when compared to February 2024.

The number of employed decreased by 11,630 to 3,164,791 in February. From February 2024 to February 2025, the number of employed was down by 24,733.

The number of unemployed was up by 6,807 to 118,511 in February. From February 2024 to February 2025, the number of unemployed was up by 9,012.

Atlanta ended February with 3,098,500, jobs. Jobs were up 13,700 over-the-month and up 21,200 over the year.

Over-the-month, jobs were up in Private Educational Services, 2,600, Specialty Trade Contractors, 2,300, Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, 1,500, State Government, 1,500, and Health Care and Social Assistance, 1,400.

Jobs were down over-the-month in Transportation and Warehousing, -3,200, Wholesale Trade, -400, and Local Government, -200.

The sectors with the most over-the-year job gains included Health Care and Social Assistance, 20,300, Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation, 4,700, Local Government, 4,300, Finance and Insurance, 3,100, and Federal Government, 2,300.

Jobs were down in Administrative and Support Services, -5,500, Transportation and Warehousing, -4,300, Retail Trade, -2,900, Accommodation and Food Services, -2,300, and Durable Goods Manufacturing, -1,300.

In February, initial claims were down 2,687 over-the-month to 12,021 in February.  Initial claims were down 1,493 over-the-year.