The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the 29-county Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded an unemployment rate of 3.9% in November, up five-tenths from a revised 3.4% in September. A year ago, the rate was 3.4%.

“Jobs are growing in every metro area because Georgia's businesses continue to invest and hire,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “That job growth means real paychecks supporting hardworking Georgians across our state. As we move into 2026, we'll continue connecting Georgians to mortgage-paying jobs and ensuring businesses have the skilled talent they need to grow.”

The labor force in Atlanta decreased by 7,811 to 3,302,234, up 5,530 from November 2025. The number of employed decreased by 26,210 to 3,172,207, down 11,628 from a year ago.

In November, the number of unemployed increased by 18,399 to 130,027, an increase of 17,158 over the past year.

Atlanta ended November with 3,146,100 jobs, up 8,700 from the previous month and up 10,400 from a year ago. Over the month, jobs increased in transportation, warehousing, and utilities by 5,600; retail trade by 3,900; accommodation and food services by 2,400; health care and social assistance by 900; and other services by 700.

Job losses over the month occurred in wholesale trade by 2,100; administrative and support services by 1,600; durable goods manufacturing by 1,000; specialty trade contractors by 700; and private educational services by 500.

Industries with the largest over-the-year job gains included health care and social assistance, 19,000; accommodation and food services, 6,700; management of companies and enterprises, 2,400; arts, entertainment, and recreation, 2,300; and private educational services, 2,300.

Industries with the largest over-the-year job losses included transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 8,500; federal government, 5,800; wholesale trade, 3,600; professional and technical services, 2,300; and specialty trade contractors.

In November, initial unemployment claims decreased by 1,180 from the previous month to 9,633. Claims were down by 2,561 from November of the previous year.