Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson announced on Thursday of last week that Georgia’s April unemployment rate was 3.1 percent, unchanged from a revised 3.1 percent in March. The unemployment rate held at 3.1 percent for nine consecutive months and was three-tenths lower than the national unemployment rate of 3.4 percent. In March, Georgia had the highest labor force participation rate in the southeast, 61.2 percent, and the highest employment-to-population ratio in the region, 59.2 percent.

Jobs were up by 10,400 (0.2%) over the month and up by 111,800 (2.3%) over the year to 4,894,300, an all-time high.

Job numbers were at an all-time high in Private Education and Health Services, 655,900; Leisure and Hospitality, 518,400; and in Financial Activities, 279,400.

The sectors with the most over-the-month job gains included Health Care and Social Assistance, 2,700; Accommodation and Food Services, 2,600; Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, 2,300; Retail Trade, 2,100; Finance and Insurance, 1,600; Transportation and Warehousing, 1,200; and Wholesale Trade, 1,100.

The sectors with the most over-the-year job gains included Accommodation and Food Services, 31,600; Health Care and Social Assistance, 30,200; Local Government, 11,100; Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation, 8,400; and Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, 6,500.

Georgia’s labor force increased for the seventh consecutive month by 14,557 to 5,275,896, an all-time high, and has risen by 42,180 since the beginning of the year – the labor force participation rate held at 61.2 percent.

For the sixth consecutive month, the number of employed was up by 14,088 to 5,110,471, an all-time high, and has risen 38,216 since the beginning of the year – the employment-to-population ration was up one-tenth to 59.3 percent.

In April, over 154,000 job listings were online for Georgians to access. The top five employers included Amazon, 2,500; Wellstar Health System, 2,200; Walmart, 1,800; Piedmont Healthcare, 1,200; and University of Georgia, 1,000.

The top five industries included Health Care, 32,300; Retail Trade, 18,400; Accommodation and Food Services, 13,300; Manufacturing, 10,700; and Finance and Insurance, 8,200.

The top five occupations included Health Care (including Nursing), 31,300; Sales, 17,700; Hospitality, Food, and Tourism, 15,300; Business Management and Operations, 14,400; and Information Technology, 9,900.

Initial claims were up 3,301 (15%) from March to 25,407 in April. Over the year, initial claims were up 7,984 (46%).

For personalized assistance, employers can reach Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) staff at https://dol.georgia.gov/employeremail. 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 for customers across the state.

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