The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 8.1 percent in October, down two-tenths of a percentage point from 8.3 percent in September. The rate was seven-tenths of a percentage point lower than 8.8 percent in October a year ago.

Because of the federal government shutdown, no states were allowed to publish state labor market data for September.

State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler is encouraged by the improvement in the labor market during the interim.

“We’ve seen our rate go from 8.7 percent in August to 8.3 in September and down to 8.1 for October,” Butler said. “We’ve seen Georgia gain almost 30,000 jobs over the last two months. And, the good thing about the job creation is that it’s pretty much through all sectors.”

The number of jobs rose to 4,078,700 in October, which is the largest number since November 2008. The number increased by 22,700, or 0.6 percent, from 4,056,000 in September. The job increases came in trade and transportation, 6,800; education and health services, 5,400; government, 3,900; other services, 1,400; and 1,100 each in manufacturing, construction, professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality. Financial services added 600 new jobs, while information services gained 200.

Over-the year, Georgia gained 85,500 jobs, or 2.1 percent, since October 2012 when there were 3,993,200 jobs. The gains came in several sectors, including: professional and business services, 30,600; leisure and hospitality, 19,900; education and health services, 17,600; and trade and transportation, 16,300.

“And, most importantly, we saw construction again show strength in that over the year more than 7,500 jobs have been created in construction in Georgia,” Butler said.

Government has lost 8,100 jobs in the past year.

There were 40,132 initial claims for unemployment insurance, an increase of 5,839, or 17 percent, from September. The claims were primarily in manufacturing, most of which were temporary, and administrative and support services. In October 2012, there were 51,495, a decrease of 11,363, or 22.1 percent.