The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the 29-county Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) continued to see gains in its labor force, employment and jobs in August. The over-the-month unemployment rate rose two-tenths of a percentage point to 3.4%, down from 3.6% a year ago.

“Georgia’s economy continues to deliver,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Barbara Rivera Holmes. “Across the state, we’re seeing a strong labor force and regional growth that reflects an economy rewarding hard work, encouraging job creation and removing unnecessary barriers. As we build Georgia into a Top State for Talent, we’re creating a place where people can work, businesses can invest and communities can thrive.”

The labor force in Atlanta increased by 10,374 to 3,359,913 and was up 58,814 over the past 12 months.

The number of employed increased by 5,113 to 3,247,114 and increased by 64,157 over the past 12 months.

The number of unemployed increased by 5,261 to 112,799 and declined by 5,343 over the past 12 months.

Atlanta MSA’s unemployment rate of 3.4% was tied with the Dalton MSA for the seventh lowest among the state’s 14 metropolitan areas, with the Gainesville MSA at 2.8% as the lowest and the Albany MSA, Augusta MSA and Columbus MSA tied for the highest at 4.1%.

Atlanta ended August with 3,105,100 jobs, up 1,800 from the previous month and down 14,300 from a year ago.

Over the month, jobs were up in the Atlanta MSA in industries including local government, 8,100; state government, 2,900; administrative and support services, 2,600; health care and social assistance, 800; and durable goods manufacturing, 600.

Jobs were down over the month in arts, entertainment, and recreation, 2,800; accommodation and food services, 2,000; other services, 2,000; wholesale trade, 1,500; and professional and technical services, 1,400.

The industries with the most over the year job gains included health care and social assistance, 11,700; durable goods manufacturing, 3,800; administrative and support services, 2,800; local government, 2,800; and arts, entertainment, and recreation, 900.

Jobs were down over the year in professional and technical services, 9,700; federal government, 5,300; transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 4,400; non-durable goods manufacturing, 4,300; and construction, 3,400.

In August, initial claims were down 686 from the previous month to 10,488 and were down 592 from August of the previous year.