Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler announced today that Georgia’s unemployment rate fell again for the twenty-first consecutive month, dropping one-tenth of a point to 3.2 percent from December’s revised rate of 3.3 percent. Every year, the data used to calculate each state’s unemployment rate is reviewed and re-estimated to ensure more accurate estimates nationwide. Georgia’s unemployment rate was eight-tenths of a percent lower than the national January 2022 unemployment rate of 4 percent.

“I am not surprised that our unemployment rate dropped again in January after a record number of Georgians were employed and participating in the labor force,” said Labor Commissioner Mark Butler. “However, with the number of jobs at an all-time high, we must be careful to not lose focus on supporting our workforce and getting qualified workers into the right careers.”

Georgia’s number of jobs was an all-time high of 4,694,100, up 19,400 from December to January and up 216,000 over the year. The sectors with the most over-the-month job gains included Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, 4,700, Accommodation and Food Services, 2,800, Health Care and Social Assistance, 2,500, Finance and Insurance, 2,200, and Administrative and Support Services,1,700.

Job numbers were at an all-time high in Trade and Transportation, 989,600, including the Transportation and Warehousing sector, 264,800, in Financial Activities, 266,400, in Professional and Business Services, 756,700, including the Professional, Scientific, and Technical sector, 312,600, and the Administrative and Support Services sector, 354,600, and in Education and Health Services, 622,900, including the Health Care and Social Assistance sector, 526,700.

When considering sectors hit hardest by the pandemic, Transportation and Warehousing, Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, Retail Trade, and Finance and Insurance all have job growth of 10,000 or more from two-years ago, just prior to the pandemic. At the same time, Accommodation and Food Services, State Government, and Local Government all have job loss of 10,000 or more from pre-pandemic levels.

Commissioner Butler also announced today a new all-time high number of employed Georgians of 5,047,364, up 22,140 in January. The labor force was at an all-time high of 5,215,701, up 16,905 over the month, and the number of unemployed was down 5,235 to 168,337, the lowest figure since July 2001.

There are over 240,000 jobs listed online at EmployGeorgia.com, resulting in a minimum of over 325,000 unfilled positions. Employers with over 1,000 job postings included United Health Group, 2,700, WellStar Health System, 2,100, Home Depot, 2,000, Amazon 1,900, Marriott International, 1,600, Piedmont Health Care, 1,300, Walmart, 1,200, and Anthem Blue Cross 1,100.

Industries with over 10,000 job postings included Health Care, 41,000, Retail Trade, 23,000, Manufacturing, 20,000, Accommodation and Food Services, 19,000, Finance and Insurance, 17,000, Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, 15,000, and Transportation and Warehousing, 13,000.

Market salaries for the jobs listed on Employ Georgia range from $23,000 to $104,000, showing a median salary of $44,000.

Initial claims were up 11,335 (67%) from December to 28,257 in January. Over the year initial claims were down 102,169 (78%).

For personalized assistance, employers can reach Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) staff at https://dol.georgia.gov/employer-email-us-form. 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 by appointment. Job seekers can reach out to their local career centers at https://dol.georgia.gov/locations/career-center for assistance.

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