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Alabama Department of Labor

Labor Market Information Division

Alabama Labor Market Information Division

Recent Updates



April 2018
Unemployment Situation
Seasonally Adjusted April 2018
Preliminary 		March 2018
Revised
Alabama:
3.8%
3.8%
United States:
3.9%
4.1%

Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted April unemployment rate is 3.8%, unchanged from March’s rate of 3.8%, and well below April 2017’s rate of 4.8%. 2,086,659 people were counted as employed in April, an increase of 19,877 from last year. April’s rate represents 83,208 unemployed persons, compared to 81,166 in March and 104,027 in April 2017.

Alabama’s civilian labor force (CLF) increased 6,970 over the month, reaching its highest level so far in 2018.

Wage and salary employment measured 2,039,200 in April. The last time it measured at or above this level was in December 2007.

Over the year, wage and salary employment increased 24,600, with gains in the professional and business services sector (7,700), the leisure and hospitality sector (+4,700), and the construction sector (+3,400), among others.

Wage and salary employment increased in April by 13,900. Monthly gains were seen in the professional and business services sector (+6,000), the leisure and hospitality sector (+4,900), and the construction sector (+2,300), among others.

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 2.6%, Cullman County at 2.8%, and Marshall, Madison, and Elmore Counties at 3.0%.Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 8.6%, Clarke and Lowndes Counties at 6.6%, and Greene County at 6.0%.  

Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Homewood and Vestavia Hills at 2.2%, Alabaster at 2.5%, and Hoover, Madison, and Northport at 2.6%. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Prichard at 6.1%, Selma at 6.0%, and Anniston at 5.2%.



Training Opportunities

Training 2018 Labor Market Information training dates and locations are now available!  Click here for information, and here to register.
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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