ATLANTA — State officials reported that Georgia’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.5% in January 2026 as the state’s labor force and total employment both reached all-time highs.
The figures released by the Georgia Department of Labor mark the third consecutive month of job growth for the state, with the unemployment rate sitting 0.8% point lower than the national average.
GDOL reported that the state added 1,200 jobs in January, bringing the total number of jobs to 4,984,300.
This growth follows three months of job losses in late 2025 and represents an increase of 9,300 jobs over the past 12 months.
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Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes said the state remains a leader in workforce development.
“Georgia continues to lead as one of the nation’s Top States for Talent,” Holmes said. “With record highs in both our labor force and employment, more Georgians are stepping into mortgage-paying jobs and opportunity, while employers continue choosing Georgia to grow and succeed. This is the advantage of a state that’s built for jobs, powered by talent and focused on what comes next.”
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While the rate remained unchanged from December 2025, the data showed it is slightly higher than the 3.4% rate recorded one year ago.
Georgia’s labor force increased by 4,210 in January to reach a record 5,445,612. Total employment also hit an all-time high of 5,252,878, an increase of 1,827 over the month.
Over the past year, the labor force has grown by more than 32,000 people, while total employment has risen by 23,810.
Two specific sectors reached all-time high job levels in January 2026. The construction sector reached 237,500 jobs and the health care and social assistance sector reached 636,000 jobs.
Health care and social assistance also led the state in yearly growth, adding 22,200 jobs since January 2025. Monthly gains were led by the retail trade sector, which added 2,200 jobs.
Other sectors seeing growth in January included health care and social assistance with 2,100 jobs, construction with 1,300, and transportation, warehousing and utilities with 1,200.
The accommodation and food services sector added 800 jobs over the month.
Several industries reported job losses in January. Administrative and support services saw the largest decline with 2,200 fewer jobs.
Other decreases occurred in wholesale trade, which lost 1,200 jobs and durable goods manufacturing, which dropped by 900.
The federal government and private educational services sectors lost 800 and 600 jobs, respectively.
The total number of unemployed residents rose by 2,383 in January to 192,734.
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