Georgia added 4,300 nonfarm jobs in April, seasonally adjusted, of which 3,000 occurred in state government employment, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The jump in state government jobs was the largest one-month increase for Georgia since June 2012. Overall, government added 2,200 jobs over the month, as an 800-job decline in local governments partially offset the state government’s growth. There was no change in the number of Federal government employees in the state.
In contrast, the private sector recorded only a 2,100 net job gain as increases in professional and business services (4,800 jobs) and leisure and hospitality (1,400 jobs) were partially offset by losses in other industries.
Manufacturing, which continues to struggle in this state, lost 1,800 jobs in April to stand at 354,200 jobs, slightly below the 354,400 jobs it recorded in April 2012.
Since April 2012, Georgia has added 68,100 nonfarm jobs, an increase of 1.7 percent, or approximately the same rate of growth as the nation as a whole.
Professional and business services have led the way with an increase of 30,100 jobs over the year, while leisure and hospitality establishments have added 17,700 jobs.
The state continues to increase its strength in services, while manufacturing fails to keep the pace set by the service industries.
Over the year, manufacturing stands at approximately the same employment level, while construction jobs increased by 1.9 percent.
In contrast, professional and business services’ employment grew by 5.4 percent and leisure and hospitality firms gained 4.5 percentage points.
Local governments have been the largest job losers, dropping 6,600 jobs or 1.6 percent of the sector’s employment over the 12 months.
Despite the good showing in April, state government employment remains at approximately the same level as a year ago, down by a slight 0.2 percentage points.
