Georgia continues to outperform the national labor market, with the state’s unemployment rate holding steady at 3.5%, below the national average. New employment and wage data for the end of 2024 highlight the strength of the state’s largest counties and the positive momentum in Georgia’s job market.
Among the 11 largest counties in Georgia, Fulton County led the way with 960,600 covered workers as of December 2024. Together, these major counties—which include Cobb, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Clayton, Chatham, and others—accounted for 57.3% of Georgia’s total covered employment, illustrating the concentrated economic activity within the state's key population centers.
By comparison, across the U.S., the 369 largest counties accounted for 73.3% of total covered employment, according to national benchmarks for counties with average annual employment above 75,000 in 2023.
Wage Growth Across Major Georgia Counties
The state also saw widespread wage growth to close out 2024. All 11 of Georgia’s large counties reported year-over-year increases in average weekly wages in Q4. The strongest performers were:
- Clayton County (+5.3%)
- Hall County (+5.3%)
- Muscogee County (+5.3%)
Other large counties posted solid wage gains ranging between 3.0% and 4.8%, reflecting both strong employer demand and rising labor market competitiveness.
The combination of low unemployment, high employment concentration, and wage growth signals robust economic health in Georgia’s most populous regions. As businesses continue to expand and invest in the state, Georgia remains a top destination for workers seeking both opportunity and stability.