Employment figures for Atlanta show declines, especially in finance

Total non-farm employment for the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) has decreased 30,000 jobs, or 1.3 percent, from one year ago, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report today. Nationally, nonfarm employment increased 0.7 percent.

Regional Commissioner Janet S. Rankin noted that this was the largest over-the-year decline since April 2010. Nationwide, over-the-year employment has increased for nine consecutive months.

The next largest loss of jobs in the area occurred in financial activities, down 8,100, followed by construction (-7,400), and information (-4,000). Over-the-year employment in construction has declined in the Atlanta area every month for the past four years.

Leisure and hospitality experienced the largest employment gain with the addition of 4,600 jobs, an increase of 2.0 percent. May 2011 was the eighth consecutive month that this supersector registered an over-the-year increase. Also adding jobs in May were manufacturing (4,000) and professional and business services (2,800).

Taken from http://www.bls.gov/ro4/cesatl.htm