The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the 29-county Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area labor force increased to 3.3 million and recorded an unemployment rate of 3.6% in February, flat from a revised 3.6% in January. A year ago, the rate was 3.4%.

“Georgia’s latest labor market data shows continued growth in both the labor force and employment as more Georgians are working and stepping into opportunity across the state,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. "That matters because when more people are working, businesses gain access to talent, families gain stability, and Georgia is better positioned to compete, win and adapt in today’s global economy.”

The labor force in Atlanta increased by 23,119 to 3,329,804 and was up 24,008 from February 2025.

The number of employed increased by 22,004 to 3,210,468 and was up by 17,770 from a year ago.

In February, the number of unemployed increased by 1,115 to 119,336, an increase of 6,238 over the past year.

Atlanta ended February with 3,094,800 jobs, up 6,600 from the previous month and down 5,700 from a year ago.

Over the month, jobs were up in private educational services, 2,900; health care and social assistance, 2,700; information, 2,700; administrative and support services, 2,300; and state government, 1,700.

Jobs were down over the month in transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 3,800; professional and technical services, 2,200; construction; 1,400; accommodation and food services, 1,300; and retail trade, 1,000.

Industries with the most over the year job gains were health care and social assistance, 17,600; administrative and support services, 4,800; arts, entertainment, and recreation, 2,800; finance and insurance, 1,300; and other services, 700.

Jobs were down over the year in the federal government, 7,300; professional and technical services, 5,300; transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 4,900; information, 3,800; and retail trade, 3,700.

In February, initial unemployment claims decreased by 2,930 from the previous month to 10,236. Claims were down by 1,785 from February of the previous year.