The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the seven-county Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded an unemployment rate of 4.9% in November, up six-tenths from September to November. A year ago, the rate was 4.4%.
 
“Jobs are growing in every metro area because Georgia's businesses continue to invest and hire,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “That job growth means real paychecks supporting hardworking Georgians across our state. As we move into 2026, we'll continue connecting Georgians to mortgage-paying jobs and ensuring businesses have the skilled talent they need to grow.”
 
The labor force in Augusta was up 404 from September to November and up 4,153 over the year, totaling 269,933.
 
Augusta finished the month with 256,833 employed residents. That number decreased by 1,153 from September to November and increased by 2,783 compared to the same time a year ago.
 
Augusta ended the month with 249,700 jobs, up 1,000 over the month and up 2,700 from the same time last year.
  
In November, initial unemployment claims fell by 393 over the month and decreased by 299 from the same time a year ago, totaling 645.