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Alabama Department of Labor

Labor Market Information Division

Alabama Labor Market Information Division

Recent Updates


April 2019
Unemployment Situation
Seasonally Adjusted April 2019
Preliminary 		March 2019
Revised
Alabama:
3.8%
3.7%
United States:
3.6%
3.8%

In April, preliminary estimates account for 2,139,379 people working, up by 32,335 from the same time a year ago, and up 6,739 from March.

The number of jobs supported by the economy also reached another record high, measuring 2,075,500 in April, representing an increase of 35,600 from the same time a year ago, and an increase of 10,800 from March.

Over the year, wage and salary employment increased by 35,600, with gains in the leisure and hospitality sector (+7,300), the construction sector (+6,100), and the professional and business services sector (+5,700), among others.

Wage and salary employment grew in April by 10,800. Monthly gains were seen in the leisure and hospitality sector (+4,300), the construction sector (+2,300), and the professional and business services sector (+1,700), among others.

Some sectors with over-the-year employment growth of more than 10% include: Construction of Buildings (11.92%), Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction (10.73%), and Aerospace Products and Parts Manufacturing (10.00%).

Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 3.8%, up slightly from March’s record low rate of 3.7%, and below April 2018’s rate of 4.1%. April’s rate represents 83,565 unemployed persons, compared to 82,319 in March and 89,509 in April 2018.

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 2.4%, Marshall County at 2.8%, and Tuscaloosa, Morgan, Madison, Lee, Elmore, and Blount Counties at 2.9%. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 7.0%, Greene and Lowndes Counties at 6.5%, and Clarke County at 6.0%.

Sixty-six of Alabama’s 67 counties saw their unemployment rates drop or remain the same over the month. Greene County was the only county to show an increase, rising to 6.5% from 5.9% in April 2019.

Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Homewood at 2.2%, Alabaster, Hoover, Northport, and Vestavia Hills at 2.4%, and Madison at 2.7%. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Selma at 7.2%, Prichard at 5.8%, and Anniston at 5.1%.
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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