Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Augusta saw its unemployment rate drop a substantial 1.2 percentage points in October. 

Augusta also saw monthly increases across all major indicators, including labor force, number of employed residents, and jobs for October.

“In October, every MSA saw unemployment rates dramatically decrease, including some areas that dropped to pre-pandemic numbers, demonstrating how strong our economy was across the state prior to the crisis and how we are successfully recovering,” said Commissioner of Labor Mark Butler.  “We have a significant number of jobs available on EmployGeorgia from all parts of the state for those looking for new career opportunities.  Filling these jobs will be critical for continuing the growth we need to progress economically.” 

In Augusta, the unemployment rate decreased 1.2 percentage points in October, reaching 4 percent. A year ago, the rate was 3.2 percent. 

The labor force increased in Augusta by 6,360 and ended the month with 260,899. That number is down 6,837 when compared to October of 2019.

Augusta finished the month with 250,406 employed residents.  That number increased by 9,018 over the month and is down by 8,835 when compared to the same time a year ago.

Augusta ended October with 231,900. jobs. That number increased by 1,600 from September to October but decreased by 11,500 when compared to this time last year.

The number of unemployment claims went up by 3 percent in Augusta. When compared to last October, claims were up by about 676 percent.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed about 5,648 active job postings in metro Augusta for October.