Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson announced today that Georgia's January unemployment rate was 3.1 percent, unchanged from a revised 3.1 percent in December. Job numbers reached another all-time high, increasing by almost 17,000 from December.

Georgia's unemployment rate was three-tenths of a percent lower than the national January 2023 unemployment rate of 3.4 percent. Every year, the data used to calculate each state's unemployment rate is reviewed and re-estimated to ensure more accurate estimates nationwide. January data is released in March.

"Georgia continues to lead the nation in job creation while outpacing the nation with low unemployment numbers,” said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “Employers are hiring at a record pace, affording hardworking Georgians with opportunities in nearly every sector.”

Jobs were up 16,600 (0.3%) over the month and up 159,600 (3.4%) over the year to 4,874,000, an all-time high. Job numbers were at an all-time high in Private Education and Health Services, 647,300; Leisure and Hospitality, 509,100; and Financial Activities, 279,600.

The sectors with the most over-the-month job gains included Accommodation and Food Services, 4,100; Health Care and Social Assistance, 3,800; Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation, 2,000; Management of Companies and Enterprises, 1,800; and Administrative and Support Services, 1,500.

The number of employed residents was up 5,331 to 5,077,586, while the labor force increased by 5,620 to 5,239,336. The number of unemployed increased by 289 to 161,750.

In January, over 129,000 job listings were online for Georgians to access. The top five employers included Wellstar Health System,1,800; Cox Communications,1,400; Walmart,1,300; Piedmont Healthcare, 1,000; and Home Depot, 900.

The top five industries included Health Care, 27,700; Retail Trade, 13,100; Accommodation and Food Services, 10,600; Manufacturing, 8,200; and Finance and Insurance, 6,700.

The top five occupations included Health Care (including Nursing), 27,200; Sales, 14,500; Hospitality, Food, and Tourism, 2,300; Information Technology, 10,700; and Business Management and Operations,10,100.

Initial claims were up 14,257 (51%) from December to 42,178 in January. Over the year, initial claims were up 13,921 (49%).