Atlanta Jobs

The Atlanta job situation worsened once again in May, according to the most recent statistics from the Georgia Department of Labor. During the month the metro area’s unemployment rate rose 0.6 percent from April’s 9 percent to 9.6 percent.

Although this only slightly higher than the national average of 9.4 percent, it is significantly greater than the city’s jobless rate during the same month last year. In May of 2008 only 5.6 percent of the metro area’s residents were unable to find work.

During the last twelve months there has been a 5.6 percent decline in total non-farm employment in Atlanta. Due to the housing market crisis, the construction industry experienced the largest year-over-year decline. Employers in this sector had to reduce the number of positions they provide by 19.8 percent in comparison to May of 2008.

Three other sectors saw a greater that 10 percent decline in the last year: mining and logging, manufacturing and professional and business services. The first reduced positions by 17.6 percent during the last year. Manufacturing followed, losing 11.7 percent of its jobs. Employers in professional and business services saw a 10.5 percent decline.

Only two industries in Atlanta reported seeing job growth during the course of the last year, education and health services and the government sector. The first saw a 2.8 percent growth rate during the last 12 months. The later increased positions by 0.3 percent.

Georgia’s unemployment rate remains slightly higher than that of its capital city. Currently 9.7 percent of the state’s residents are unable to find work. This figure is up 0.5 percent from the previous month’s 9.2 percent. According to the state Department of Labor, at this time there are 463,883 people in Georgia that are unable to find work.