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Alabama Department of Labor

Labor Market Information Division

Alabama Labor Market Information Division

Recent Updates



February 2019
Unemployment Situation
Seasonally Adjusted February 2019
Preliminary 		January 2019
Revised
Alabama:
3.7%
3.8%
United States:
3.8%
4.0%

Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted February unemployment rate is 3.7%, down from January’s rate of 3.8%, and below February 2018’s rate of 4.0%.

February’s rate represents 2,127,626 employed persons, compared to 2,123,650 last month and 2,100,195 in February 2018, representing yearly growth of 27,431. 82,304 were counted as unemployed, the second lowest number ever recorded, compared to 83,398 in January and 87,534 in February 2018.

Total private average weekly earnings rose to $839.59 in February, representing an over-the-year increase of $33.54.

Wage and salary employment increased over the year by 34,700, with gains in the leisure and hospitality sector (+7,100), the trade, transportation, and utilities sector (+6,300), and the professional and business services sector (+5,100), among others.

Wage and salary employment increased in February by 15,300, with monthly gains in the professional and business services sector (+5,400), the government sector (+4,000), and the education and health services sector (+3,200), among others.

Sixty-six of 67 counties experienced drops in their unemployment rate this month, and 64 of 67 counties saw equal or lower rates than in February 2018.

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 2.9%, Marshall, Madison, Elmore, and Cullman Counties at 3.3%, and Tuscaloosa and Morgan Counties at 3.4%. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 9.8%, Clarke County at 7.6%, and Dallas County at 7.3%.

Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Vestavia Hills, Northport, and Homewood at 2.7%, Alabaster at 2.8%, and Hoover and Madison at 2.9%. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Selma at 8.5%, Prichard at 6.8%, and Mobile at 5.4%.


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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