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Alabama Department of Labor

Labor Market Information Division

Alabama Labor Market Information Division

Recent Updates


December 2019
Unemployment Situation
Seasonally Adjusted December 2019
Preliminary 		November 2019
Revised
Alabama:
2.7%
2.7%
United States:
3.5%
3.5%

Alabama's preliminary, seasonally adjusted December unemployment rate is 2.7%, unchanged from November 2019, and well below December 2018’s rate of 3.8%.

December’s rate represents 2,204,740 employed people, a new record high, representing an increase of 83,971 from December 2018. 61,458 people were counted as unemployed, also a new record, a drop of 22,051 from last year. The civilian labor force grew by 61,920 over the year, to a new record high of 2,266,198.

Wage and salary employment grew over the year by 46,300. Yearly gains were seen in the professional and business services sector (+15,000), the leisure and hospitality sector (+7,800), and the government sector (+6,100), among others. Over the month, gains were seen in the trade, transportation, and utilities sector (+4,000), the construction sector (+700), and the professional and business services sector (+200).

Alabama’s job growth rate for December is 2.2%. It surpasses the national job growth rate of 1.4%. This marks the eleventh month that Alabama’s job growth rate has matched or exceeded the national rate.

Total private average weekly wages measured $875.44 in December, representing a monthly increase of $15.14, and a yearly increase of $8.81.

Sectors and sub-sectors with record high weekly wages in December 2019 are Manufacturing: $1,100.82, Private Service Providing: $817.82, Financial Activities: $1,157.10, Professional and Business Services: $1,095.20, Leisure and Hospitality: $339.24, and Other Services: $783.82.

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 1.8%, Marshall, Madison, and Cullman Counties at 2.1%, and Tuscaloosa, St. Clair, Morgan, Limestone, Lee, and Elmore Counties at 2.2%. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 6.8%, Clarke County at 5.5%, and Greene and Lowndes Counties at 4.8%.

Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Vestavia Hills at 1.4%, Homewood at 1.6%, and Hoover and Northport at 1.7%. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Prichard at 5.0%, Selma at 4.9%, and Bessemer at 3.7%.
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.
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