ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Labor reported that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 9.3 percent in February, the highest rate ever recorded in Georgia. The previous high was a revised 8.5 percent in January.

The February jobless rate was up 3.9 percent from 5.4 percent at this same time last year. Georgia’s unemployment rate remained above the national rate of 8.1 percent for the 16th consecutive month.

At present, 445,498 unemployed Georgians are looking for work, an increase of 69.2 percent over the year. Of that number, 159,359, or 35.8 percent, are receiving unemployment insurance benefits.

The number of payroll jobs in February decreased 189,800, or 4.6 percent, from February 2008. The losses came in manufacturing and construction, trade, transportation and warehousing, along with professional and business services, including temporary employment agencies. Jobs were added in educational and health services, state and local education, and with the federal government.

Commissioner Thurmond urged job seekers to expand their job searches, explore new training and educational opportunities and to make full use of the reemployment services at the department’s 53 career centers around the state. Each month, through its reemployment program, the department helps about 24,000 job seekers find work. The locations of the career centers and Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.state.ga.us.