ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Labor reported that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 9.3 percent in April, up slightly from a revised 9.2 percent in March and February.

“The state unemployment rate has remained virtually unchanged during the past three months,” said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond, “and, during the same period, the number of Georgians filing initial unemployment insurance claims has shown smaller increases than in previous months. This suggests that Georgia’s labor market may be beginning to stabilize. However, the verdict is still out.”

The April jobless rate was up 3.5 percentage points from 5.8 percent at this same time last year. Georgia’s unemployment rate remained above the national rate of 8.9 percent for the 18th consecutive month.

At present, 446,560 unemployed Georgians are looking for work, an increase of 60 percent from April of 2008. Of that number, 167,981, or 37.6 percent, are receiving unemployment insurance benefits.

The number of payroll jobs in April decreased 197,100, or 4.8 percent, from April of 2008. The over-the-year losses came in manufacturing, professional and business services, including temporary employment agencies, along with trade, transportation and warehousing, and the construction industry.     

Job gainers totaling 14,200 were recorded in health care and educational services.