ADOL Logo

Alabama Department of Labor

Labor Market Information Division

Alabama Labor Market Information Division

Recent Updates


February 2020
Unemployment Situation
Seasonally Adjusted February 2020
Preliminary 		January 2020
Revised
Alabama:
2.7%
2.7%
United States:
3.5%
3.6%

Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted February unemployment rate is unchanged at 2.7%, a record low, and well below February 2019’s rate of 3.5%. February’s rate represents 2,184,248 employed persons, up 23,325 over the year.

Wage and salary employment increased in February by 13,000. Monthly gains were seen in the professional and business sector (+5,000), the education and health services sector (+4,200), and the government sector (+3,300), among others. Over the year, wage and salary employment increased by 21,300, with gains in the government sector (+6,600), the education and health services sector (+5,300), and the trade, transportation, and utilities sector (+2,800), among others.

Average weekly total private wages increased to $878.55 in February, up from $872.50 in January, and $842.75 in February 2019.

The following sectors saw record high wages in February 2020: Trade, transportation, and utilities - $728.94, Financial Activities - $1,144.94, Leisure & Hospitality - $336.69.

All 67 counties experienced over-the-year rate drops, and 65 of 67 counties saw experienced over-the-month rate drops.

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 2.1%, Madison County at 2.3%, and Tuscaloosa, Morgan, Marshall, Limestone, and Lee Counties at 2.4%. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 8.5%, Clarke County at 5.6%, and Greene County at 5.5%.

Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Vestavia Hills at 1.6%, Homewood, Hoover, and Northport at 1.9%, and Madison at 2.0%. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Selma at 5.9%, Prichard at 5.8%, and Gadsden at 4.7%.
Unemployment Snapshot


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.

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.
Related Sites  |   Metro Areas  |   Workforce Regions  |   Publications