What to know about metro Atlanta’s job gains in November
Metro Atlanta added jobs in retail, transportation and health care in November, but the jobless rate remained steady at 3.5%, according to the Georgia Department of Labor.
The Labor Department said the Atlanta area gained 9,600 jobs last month, what the department called a record-breaking tally, but the figures are not seasonally adjusted as monthly statewide figures are.
Here are three things to know:
Job gains and losses
The Atlanta region added jobs since October in retail (5,300), transportation and warehousing (3,600), health care and social assistance (2,100), local government (1,700) and finance and insurance (1,100). The region lost jobs in November in hospitality and food service (-2,700), administrative and support services (-1,500) and among specialty trade contractors (-1,200).
In the past 12 months, the biggest gains were in health care and social assistance (15,600), hospitality and food services (8,600) and local government (7,500). Compared to November 2023, the sectors that lost the most jobs were administrative and support services (-11,700), wholesale trade (-5,300), durable goods manufacturing (-3,800) and transportation and warehousing (-3,400).
Record number of jobs
The Atlanta region ended November with more than 3.1 million total jobs — a record, the labor department said.
Initial jobless claims
Unemployment claims remain a key barometer of the economy, and initial jobless claims remain low in the Atlanta region.
Initial claims were 10,318 in November, down by nearly 1,900 compared to October and down 445 compared to November 2023, the state said.
About the Author
J. Scott Trubey is the senior editor over business, climate and environment coverage at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He previously served as a business reporter for the AJC covering banking, real estate and economic development. He joined the AJC in 2010.
