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Alabama Department of Labor

Labor Market Information Division

Alabama Labor Market Information Division

Recent Updates

HWOL The Help Wanted Online Data Series™ fills a critical gap in the current U.S. economic indicators by providing timely monthly measures of labor demand (advertised vacancies) at the national, regional, State and metropolitan area levels. These monthly measures are comparable in timing and geographic detail to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) monthly measures of labor supply (unemployment).

Descriptions of various products and reports can be found in the 2012 Labor Market Information Users Guide.

The Catalogue of Workforce Information Sources, formerly the Environmental Scan, has been finalized by the Employment and Training Administration.  You can find it here.

Click here for information about job terminations in Alabama.
August 2017
Unemployment Situation
Seasonally Adjusted August 2017
Preliminary 		July 2017
Revised
Alabama:
4.2%
4.5%
United States:
4.4%
4.3%

Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted August unemployment rate is 4.2%, down from July’s rate of 4.5%, and well below August 2016’s rate of 5.9%. August’s rate represents 90,913 unemployed persons, compared to 96,158 in July and 128,413 in August 2016.

The comparable national unemployment rate is 4.4%, up slightly from July’s rate of 4.3%. The last time Alabama’s unemployment rate was below the national rate was in October 2013.

August’s rate represents 90,913 unemployed persons, compared to 96,158 in July and 128,413 in August 2016. The last time the number of unemployed was at or below 90,913 was in August 2007, when it measured 89,206.

2,057,109 were counted as employed, compared to 2,063,900 in July and 2,044,186 in August 2016.

Over the year, wage and salary employment increased 28,300, with gains in the leisure and hospitality sector (+9,600), the professional and business services sector (+7,600), and the construction sector (+6,500), among others.

Wage and salary employment increased in August by 3,100. Monthly gains were seen in the government sector (+3,100), the professional and business sector (+2,700), and the education and health services sector (+2,200), among others.

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 3.2%, Cullman County at 3.6%, and Elmore, Madison, and Marshall Counties at 3.7%. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 11.3%, Clarke County at 8.6%, and Greene County at 7.8%.

Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Vestavia Hills at 2.8%, Homewood at 2.9%, and Alabaster at 3.0%. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Selma at 8.9%, Prichard at 8.0%, and Bessemer at 5.6%.
Unemployment Snapshot

Programs and Data


Employment Statistics
Information relating to employment, hours, and earnings estimates for the State of Alabama and employment estimates for the metropolitan areas by detailed industry.

Occupational Safety and Health Statistics
Information relating to occupational illnesses as well as fatal and non-fatal injuries. Statewide and national data is available.

Occupational Statistics
Information relating to the changing workforce in the state. Data include estimated and projected employment with annual average job openings, occupational wages for both the state and metropolitan areas, and a synopsis of information on selected occupations relevant to the state.

Quarterly Employment and Wages
Comprehensive employment and wage data by industry and county and state for workers covered by unemployment insurance laws.

Statistical Bulletin
Information relating to covered employment, unemployment compensation and employment service activities. Data include quarterly and annual covered employment and wages, benefit payments and contributions by industry and county, and applicant and placement data. Select most recent month or historical months.

Unemployment Statistics
Information relating to the labor force, employment, and unemployment for the State of Alabama, metropolitan areas, counties, and cities.

Workforce Development
Information relating to workforce development and reports published in co-operation with our Workforce Development Unit. Census Local Area Dynamics, and Alabama Labor Supply are just some of the options.
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