Georgia Sets Records in Job Growth

The growth in Georgia’s job market is setting records in 2018.

The Georgia Department of Labor announced last week that Georgia set an all-time high for the number of job openings and employed residents.

However, State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler says he expects to see even more job growth in the coming year.

“The state really is prospering,” Butler said. “We continue to see our current businesses expanding and companies moving to Georgia to take advantage of our low taxes, great transportation system and excellent labor force.”

In April, Georgia counted 4.92 million employed residents. That number was up by 12,611 over the month and by more than 123,000 since last April.

Likewise, Georgia’s labor force continued to climb, increasing by 9,112 in April to 5.1 million. It grew by 98,554 over the last 12 months.

Butler said both numbers continue trends going back many months.

“Georgia continues to produce quality jobs,” Butler said. “And better yet, people are getting those jobs.”

Georgia posted more than 4.5 million jobs in April and a labor force of more than 5.1 million, and according to Butler his office is still showing some 80,000 job openings statewide.

That caused Georgia’s jobless rate to drop by .1 percent in April.

Georgia’s April unemployment rate came in at 4.3 percent, down from 4.4 percent last month.

Over the past year, Georgia has added more than 10,000 jobs each in the following sectors: education and health services, trade, transportation and utilities, leisure and hospitality, and construction.

Last month employgeorgia.com posted 58,756 job openings on its Web site.

To learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia, and other Georgia Department of Labor services for job seekers and employers you can go online to dol.georgia.gov.