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Alabama Department of Labor

Labor Market Information Division

Alabama Labor Market Information Division

Recent Updates


August 2019
Unemployment Situation
Seasonally Adjusted August 2019
Preliminary 		July 2019
Revised
Alabama:
3.1%
3.3%
United States:
3.7%
3.7%

Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted August unemployment rate is 3.1%, down from July’s rate of 3.3%, and well below August 2018’s rate of 3.9%. August’s rate represents 2,184,511 employed persons, also a new record high, measuring 68,033 more than last year’s count, and 12,757 more than last month’s count.

August’s rate represents 70,652 unemployed persons, a new record low, down from 75,101 in July and down from 86,212 in 2018.

The civilian labor force increased in August to a record high 2,255,163, up 8,308 from July’s count, and up 52,473 from August 2018.

Alabama has matched or surpassed the national annual job growth rate for the past seven months.

Over the year, wage and salary employment grew by 37,300, with gains in the professional and business services sector (+9,900), the leisure and hospitality sector (+6,600), and the trade, transportation, and utilities sector (+5,200), among others.

Wage and salary employment grew in August by 5,900. Monthly gains were seen in the government sector (+5,300), the professional and business services sector (+3,000), and the trade, transportation, and utilities sector (+1,900), among others.

Average weekly earnings increased $27.05 since August 2018, and $8.97 since July.

All 67 counties saw their unemployment rates decrease over the year, and 66 of 67 counties saw their rates decrease or remain the same over the month.

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 2.1%, Marshall and Madison Counties at 2.3%, and Morgan, Limestone, and Elmore Counties at 2.4%. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 6.9%, Clarke County at 5.9%, and Greene County at 5.8%.

Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Vestavia Hills at 1.8%, Northport and Homewood at 1.9%, and Alabaster and Hoover at 2.0%. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Selma at 6.5%, Prichard at 5.5%, and Anniston at 4.1%.
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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