The Atlanta metro economy is in really good shape, and we rank highly among competing metros in terms of job growth. In the latest data, higher wage job sectors such as Professional & Business Services and Information show strong year over year (YOY) increases of 6% and 4% respectively. But our overall YOY rate of job increase is slowing a little-compared to comparable trends running back to the beginning of 2016, and our absolute job gains are not quite as high as they were. This moderation is, however, consistent with the latest trends in other metro economies across the country.
Recently released data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, for September 2017, show total nonfarm employment for the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Ga. Metropolitan Statistical Area at 2,752,900. This represents a net gain of 68,300 jobs, or 2.5 percent, over the year September 2016 to September 2017. Among the 12 largest metropolitan areas in the country (in terms of population size), Atlanta ranked second in the rate of job growth and third in the number of jobs added, year over year. The gain of 68,300 does indicate a slowing from the previously reported year over year trends of July ’16-July ’17 (85,300 jobs); April ’16-April ’17 (87,200 jobs), and February ’16-February ’17 (95,000 jobs).
The Atlanta metro job base grew by 2.5 percent between September 2016 and September 2017–as seen in the chart below. This ranks Atlanta second to Dallas among the 12 largest metros–and this flips the ranking order of the last three reporting periods (July to July; April to April; and February to February), when Atlanta was first —with year over year growth rates over 3%–and Dallas second.
For the full BLS press release, go here
For more detailed data on Atlanta economy, visit The Quarter
