The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the 29-county Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded an all-time high labor force in June, while the unemployment rate was 3.5%, up from a revised 3.2% in May. One year ago, the rate was 3.5%.

“June brings the temporary seasonal changes we see every year as schools let out for the summer, but as Georgia’s workforce continues to grow, our year-over-year trends remain stable,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “Short-term fluctuations are normal in a resilient economy, and the bigger picture is clear: Georgia remains a state where opportunity is within reach, hard work is rewarded, and every Georgian has the chance to build a better life.”

The labor force in Atlanta increased by 12,296 to 3,370,046, an all-time high, and was up 47,608 over the past 12 months.

The number of employed increased by 648 to 3,252,603 and increased by 47,592 over the past 12 months.

The number of unemployed increased by 11,648 to 117,443 and increased by 16 over the past 12 months.

Atlanta ended June with 3,127,800 jobs, up 2,600 from the previous month and up 12,700 from a year ago.

Over the month, jobs were up in the Atlanta MSA in industries including administrative and support services, 3,700; arts, entertainment, and recreation, 3,200; professional and technical services, 2,100; accommodation and food services, 1,900; and other services, 1,600.

Jobs were down over the month in local government, 4,300; state government, 3,900; construction, 1,400; health care and social assistance; 1,100; private educational services, 600; and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 600. 

The industries with the most over the year job gains included health care and social assistance, 19,400; administrative and support services, 6,400; arts, entertainment, and recreation, 2,400; private educational services, 1,900; and accommodation and food services, 1,800.

Jobs were down over the year in federal government, 5,900; construction, 4,100; non-durable goods manufacturing, 4,100; transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 3,500; and professional and technical services, 3,300.

In June, initial claims were up 2,015 from the previous month to 12,229 and were down 422 from June of the previous year.

Contact Georgia Department of Labor Communications Office
[email protected]
(404) 232-3685

Media Contact: Chief Communications Officer, Shawna Mercer
Email: [email protected].gov
Phone Number: 678-350-6878

For personalized assistance, employers can reach Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) staff at https://dol.georgia.gov/employeremail.

For more information on unemployment benefits, claimants should call 877.709.8185 or visit their MyUI Claimant Portal. GDOL's Career Centers also provide in-person unemployment insurance benefit services for customers statewide.

For more information on jobs and current labor force data, visit Georgia LaborMarket Explorer to view a comprehensive report.