Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Augusta added jobs in November.
 
At the same time, Augusta maintained annual growth in all critical measures for the seven-county metropolitan statistical area (MSA).    
 
“This really has been a great year for Georgia,” Butler said. “Across the state we continue to add jobs and find people to fill them. We’ve routinely set records. There is much to be thankful for this holiday season.”
 
The unemployment rate for November, at 3.5 percent, was down by 0.3 percent over the previous month.  A year ago, the rate was 4.5 percent. That rate was ranked seventh among the 14 MSAs.
 
The labor force in Augusta went down by 1,330 in November to reach 268,398. That number is up by 83 over the past year – an average monthly increase of about seven.
 
Augusta lost 612 employed residents in November, dropping the total to 258,900. The number is up by 2,601 for the year, or about 217 per month.
 
Jobs grew by 600 in November to 244,100. The job total in Augusta is up 3,300 over the year – an average increase of 275.
 
Claims for unemployment insurance increased by 3 percent in November. They were down by 2 percent when compared to the same month a year ago.