Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson announced today that Georgia's July unemployment rate was 3.4 percent, up one-tenth from a revised 3.3 percent in June. The unemployment rate was nine-tenths lower than the national unemployment rate.

"Georgia’s labor force is larger and more dynamic than ever," said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. "Our challenge—and our opportunity—is to partner with the business community to create jobs that meet the evolving needs of hardworking Georgians. With over 5 million workers, we have the talent. Now, we need more jobs to keep unemployment low and transform that talent into lasting success." 

Jobs were up by 2,600 over the month and up by 77,600 over the year to 4,980,900, an all-time high.

The sectors with the most over-the-month job gains included Accommodation and Food Services, 2,300; Transportation and Warehousing, 1,100; Administrative and Support Services, 1,100; Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation, 800; and Real Estate, Rental, and Leasing, 500. Jobs were at an all-time high in Leisure and Hospitality, 532,200.

Jobs were down over-the-month in Information, which includes Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries, -1,400; Health Care and Social Assistance, -1,200; Finance and Insurance, -900; Wholesale Trade, -500; and Retail Trade, -400.

The sectors with the most over-the-year job gains included Health Care and Social Assistance, 21,300; Accommodation and Food Services, 17,300; Local Government, 11,200; Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, 8,900; and Durable Goods Manufacturing, 6,200.

Jobs were down over-the-year in Administrative and Support Services, -13,000; and Information, which includes Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries, -9,200.

The labor force was up by 13,947 to 5,405,251, an all-time high, and has increased by almost 62,000 over the previous four months. The labor force was up by 87,182 over the past 12 months. The labor force participation rate was up from 61.7 percent to 61.8 percent, the highest level since February 2021.

The number of employed was up by 5,223 to 5,219,607, an all-time high, and was up by 72,260 over the past 12 months. The employment-to-population ratio held at 59.7 percent.

The number of unemployed was up by 8,724 to 185,644, the highest level since August 2021, and was up by 14,422 over the past 12 months.

Initial claims were up by 5,398 over the month to 27,265 in July.  Initial claims were down by 4,145 over the year.