Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler announced today that Georgia's unemployment rate dropped to 3.1 percent in October, the lowest rate in Georgia’s recorded history.  The rate was down two-tenths from a revised 3.3 percent in September. The national October 2021 unemployment rate was down two-tenths to 4.6 percent. Jobs in Georgia were up 21,000 over the month and are up 4.5 percent over the year to 4,605,600. 

"We have seen continuous job growth this year as we have gained back 90 percent of the jobs lost during the pandemic,” said Commissioner Butler. “The continual increase in employment opportunity, particularly in those areas hardest hit by the pandemic, reinforces the critical need for encouraging available Georgians back into the workforce.”

Since May 2021, job growth has increased by 117,400 and October’s growth marks only the fifth time since 1990 that over the month job growth for October was over 20,000 (2020, 2017, 2004, 1993). The sectors of Administrative and Support Services, Transportation and Warehousing, and Retail Trade have all recouped the jobs lost during the pandemic and have added to their respective totals. At the same time, Accommodation and Food Services, Local Government, and Religious, Grants, Civic, and Professional Services, among others, continue to struggle to fill jobs.

In October, the labor force dropped 1,889 to 5,174,052, while the number of employed rose 11,008 to 5,015,945.  The number of unemployed was down 12,897 to 158,107. In comparing October 2021 figures to pre-pandemic March 2020 figures, the labor force remains down 32,000, the number of employed remains down 3,000, and the number of unemployed is now down 29,000.

Today, over 208,000 job postings, resulting in a minimum of over 319,000 unfilled positions, are listed online at Employ Georgia for Georgians to access. Market salaries range from $23,000 to $103,000 with a median salary of $42,000.

“The GDOL is working to ensure that every Georgian who wants a job can find a job,” said Commissioner Butler. “Our Business Services Unit is helping the state’s employers find employees that meet their business needs, and we are scheduling in-person appointments across the state in our career centers to make sure jobseekers have the support they need to successfully find employment.” 

For personalized assistance, employers can reach Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) staff at https://dol.georgia.gov/employer-email-us-form. Additionally, by visiting Employ Georgia, employers can manage job openings and access the state’s talent pool.  GDOL’s Career Centers are providing in-person employment services by appointment. Job seekers can reach out to their local career centers at https://dol.georgia.gov/locations/career-center for assistance.

Employers with over 1,000 job postings in October included Amazon 3,500, Wellstar Health System, 2,000, Home Depot, 1,800, Beech Valley Solutions, 1,600, Piedmont Health Care, 1,300, Walmart, 1,200, Anthem Blue Cross, 1,200, Deloitte, 1,100, and Southeastern Freight Lines, 1,000.

Industries with over 10,000 job postings included Health Care, 26,000, Retail Trade, 21,000, Accommodation and Food Services, 13,000, Finance and Insurance, 12,000, Manufacturing, 12,000, Professional, Scientific & Technical Services, 11,000, and Transportation and Warehousing, 10,000. 

The sectors with the most over the month job gains in October included Transportation and Warehousing, 3,600, Retail Trade, 3,000, Health Care and Social Assistance, 2,500, Administrative and Support Services, 2,300, and Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing, 2,000.

Job numbers in October were at an all-time high in Trade and Transportation, 977,400, in the Retail Trade sector, 502,600, in the Transportation and Warehousing sector, 259,800, Professional and Business Services, 755,000, and in the Administrative and Support Services sector, 370,900.

Initial claims were down 1,525 (-5%) from September to 27,310 in October.  Initial claims were down 169,356 (-86%) over the year.

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