Georgia Lost Jobs In September, But The Unemployment Rate Dropped
The state Department of Labor said that 2,100 jobs were lost in September.
Lynne Sladky / Associated Press
Georgia lost jobs last month, though the unemployment rate dropped to a record low.
The state Department of Labor said that 2,100 jobs were lost in September. Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said the loss is minor because jobs are plentiful.
“Even though the survey from the USDL [United States Department of Labor] shows that we have 2,100 jobs lost,” Butler said. “We have a lot of job openings sitting out there right now. You’re talking anywhere from 90 to 100,000 current job openings.”
Despite the loss, the total number of jobs is still up nearly 80,000 from a year ago. As for the unemployment rate, that number fell 0.01 percent to 3.5 percent last month. The all-time low is 3.4 percent. That was set in December 2000. Nationally, the unemployment rate dropped by 0.02 percent to 3.5 percent. Butler said he still wants to see more people in the workforce despite the dip.
“We need to be seeking work because we do have a lot of job openings,” Butler said. “And sometimes when you push that workforce number up, actually will push the unemployment rate up because you have more people out there looking.”
The workforce numbers grew by over 4,300 in September bringing the total number to more than 5.1 million. That number was up by over 3,600 around the same time last year.
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