(The Center Square) – Georgia’s labor force reached an all-time high in June, but the number of jobs declined, according to the Department of Labor.
Nearly 5.5 million workers were in the labor pool, an increase of 7,179, a record number of workers, according to the department. The labor force set new records for the past six months and increased by 69,446 over the year.
The number of employed Georgians increased by 10,359 to 5,294,220, up 65,396 for the year, the department said.
Jobs were down by 10,100 over the month but up by 6,000 over the year.
The state had 4,988,900 jobs, according to the department.
The industries declining the most in June were in the transportation, warehousing and utilities sector (4,300), local government (2,400) and state government (2,200).
Educational services added 900 jobs, 700 positions were added in the “other services” category, and jobs increased in the administrative and support services sector by 400, the department said.
The state’s unemployment rate for June is 3.4%, slightly below the national rate of 4.2% reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“Georgia’s economic success is built by the people who show up every day to build, serve, create, and strengthen the communities they call home,” said Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes in a statement. “As we build the future of work in Georgia, we know our greatest advantage will always be the talent and determination of Georgians.”