Georgia Unemployment Rate Remains Below National Average

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Published January 7th, 2026

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The Georgia Department of Labor announced that Georgia's unemployment rate for November 2025 was 3.5%, slightly up from September but remaining below the national average. The report also indicated job growth in several key sectors over the past year.

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What changed

The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) released its monthly labor market report for November 2025, stating the state's unemployment rate at 3.5%. This figure is a slight increase from the revised 3.4% in September but remains 1.1 percentage points below the national average. The report details job gains and losses across various sectors, noting all-time highs in private education and health services, and leisure and hospitality. Job growth was observed over the month and the past 12 months, despite some sector-specific declines.

This notice serves as an informational update on Georgia's labor market conditions. While it does not introduce new regulatory requirements or compliance deadlines, employers and compliance officers should note the economic trends discussed. The GDOL provides resources for employers seeking assistance and for claimants seeking unemployment benefits. The data presented is for informational purposes to track labor force dynamics within the state.

Source document (simplified)

The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced today that Georgia's unemployment rate for November 2025 was 3.5%, up slightly from a revised 3.4% in September. November's unemployment rate remained 1.1 percentage points below the national unemployment rate. One year ago, Georgia's unemployment rate was 3.6%. October 2025 data is unavailable due to a lapse in federal appropriations related to the federal government shutdown.

"In November, Georgia's unemployment rate remains more than a full point below the national average, and we're seeing job growth in sectors that matter most to hardworking Georgians," said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. "As we head into 2026, we're staying focused on what keeps Georgia competitive: Preparing workers, supporting businesses, and delivering opportunity across our state."

After three straight months of job losses, jobs were up 1,000 over the month to 4,987,500 and were up 16,300 over the past 12 months.

In November, the sectors reaching all-time highs were private education and health services, 735,600; and leisure and hospitality, 524,900.

The sectors with the most job gains in the past month were accommodation and food services, 1,500; health care and social assistance, 900; arts, entertainment, and recreation, 800; state government, 600; and management of companies, 400.

Jobs were down over the month in federal government, 1,500; administrative and support services, 1,400; construction, 1,000; retail trade, 800; and finance and insurance, 600.

The sectors with the most job gains over the past year were health care and social assistance, 23,800; administrative and support services, 6,100; accommodation and food services, 5,600; arts, entertainment, and recreation, 3,700; and durable goods manufacturing, 3,200.

Jobs were down over the year in transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 17,000; federal government, 11,100; information, 4,200; professional, scientific, and technical services, 2,500; and wholesale trade, 2,000.

Georgia's labor force increased by 13,973 to 5,401,357 in November and declined by 8,032 over the past year.

Employment rose by 5,925 to 5,211,726 and declined by 1,087 over the past 12 months.

Unemployment rose by 8,048 to 189,631 in November and was down 6,945 over the past year.

Initial claims were down 2,755 over the month to 16,719 in November and down 2,600 over the year.

Contact Georgia Department of Labor Communications Office
[email protected]
(404) 232-3685

Media Contact: Director of Communications, Shawna Mercer
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: 678-350-6878

For personalized assistance, employers can reach Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) staff at https://dol.georgia.gov/email-us. For more information on unemployment benefits, claimants should call 877.709.8185 or visit their MyUI Claimant Portal. GDOL's Career Centers also provide in-person unemployment insurance benefit services for customers statewide.

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