Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson announced today that Georgia's October unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, unchanged from a revised 3.6 percent in September. The unemployment rate was five-tenths lower than the national unemployment rate.

“For the third month in a row, Georgia’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.6% - a testament to commonsense, pro-business policies that make Georgia the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “While job growth has slowed nationwide, Georgia continues to drive job creation and workforce participation. This stability shows what’s possible with a state government that puts hardworking Georgians first.” 

Jobs were up by 1,500 over the month and up by 64,900 over the year to 4,985,500.

The sectors with the most over-the-month job gains included Accommodation and Food Services, 4,300; Health Care and Social Assistance, 2,200; Local Government, 1,400; Retail Trade, 1,000; and Durable Goods Manufacturing, 700. Jobs were down in Administrative and Support Services, -3,700; Transportation and Warehousing, -1,400; Information which includes Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries, -1,300; Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation, -1,200; and Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing, -700.

Over the month, jobs were at an all-time high in Private Education and Health Services, 696,500, and Leisure and Hospitality, 536,900.

The sectors with the most over-the-year job gains included Health Care and Social Assistance, 20,200; Accommodation and Food Services, 17,100; Local Government, 12,100; Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, 7,500; and State Government, 4,500. 

Jobs were down over-the-year in Administrative and Support Services, -11,600; Information, which includes Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries, -3,700; Wholesale Trade, -2,700; and Transportation and Warehousing, -1,800.

The labor force was up by 1,370 to 5,416,696, an all-time high, and was up by 85,853 over the past 12 months. The labor force participation rate went down from 61.8 to 61.7 percent.

The number of employed was up by 774 to 5,220,494, an all-time high, and was up by 61,395 over the past 12 months.

The number of unemployed was up by 596 to 196,202, the highest level since July 2021, and was up by 24,458 over the past 12 months.

Initial claims were up by 9,042 over the month to 28,642 in October.  Initial claims were up by 6,973 over the year.