The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced Thursday that Georgia’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.4% in August 2025, unchanged from July’s figures. This rate stands nine-tenths of a percentage point lower than the national unemployment rate, underscoring the state’s continued economic strength.

“Georgia is already the No. 1 state for business, and now we’re building a reputation as the top state for talent,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “With unemployment holding steady at 3.4% in August, nine-tenths below the national average, and Georgia adding workers seven months in a row, our workforce is strong and growing. Together with Gov. Brian Kemp and statewide partners, we’re creating good-paying jobs, supporting hardworking Georgians, and keeping Georgia moving forward.”

The state’s total number of jobs increased by 1,900 over the past month, reaching 4,999,600. Over the last year, Georgia has seen a rise of 32,300 jobs across various sectors.

August saw two key sectors reach all-time employment highs:

Health care and social assistance: 627,200 jobs
Leisure and hospitality: 521,200 jobs

Leading the monthly job gains were:

Retail trade: +2,900 jobs
Administrative and support services: +1,800 jobs
Accommodation and food services: +1,600 jobs
State government: +1,500 jobs
Other services: +1,200 jobs

However, some sectors experienced declines over the month:

Construction: -3,000 jobs
Information: -2,400 jobs
Professional and technical services: -1,500 jobs
Federal government: -1,200 jobs
Real estate and rental and leasing: -1,000 jobs

On an annual basis, the strongest job growth over the past year was observed in:

Health care and social assistance: +25,100 jobs
Administrative and support services: +7,400 jobs
Local government: +6,400 jobs
Arts, entertainment, and recreation: +5,900 jobs
State government: +4,000 jobs

Conversely, yearly job declines were recorded in:

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities: -9,000 jobs
Information: -4,900 jobs
Construction: -3,700 jobs
Wholesale trade: -2,700 jobs
Federal government: -2,600 jobs

Georgia’s labor force expanded by 4,489 in August, reaching a total of 5,381,610, though it has seen a decline of 34,227 over the past year. Employment also rose by 8,657 to 5,200,427 for the month but decreased by 17,782 over the past 12 months.

The number of unemployed Georgians fell by 4,168 in August, totaling 181,183, and was down by 16,445 over the past year. Initial claims for unemployment benefits also saw a notable drop of 6,109 in August to 18,621, reflecting a decline of 4,577 over the past 12 months.

For more information on Georgia’s labor market data, please visit dol.georgia.gov.