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Alabama Department of Labor

Labor Market Information Division

Alabama Labor Market Information Division

Recent Updates


November 2019
Unemployment Situation
Seasonally Adjusted November 2019
Preliminary 		October 2019
Revised
Alabama:
2.7%
2.8%
United States:
3.5%
3.6%

Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted November unemployment rate is 2.7%, down from October’s previous record rate of 2.8%, and well below November 2018’s rate of 3.8%.

November’s rate represents 2,203,495 employed persons, a new record high, and represents an over-the-year increase of 82,609. 61,963 people were counted as unemployed, a new record low, down from 83,298 in November 2018. The civilian labor force also reached a new record high of 2,265,458, representing an over-the-year increase of 61,274.

Over the year, wage and salary employment increased 50,400, with gains in the professional and business services sector (+14,900), the leisure and hospitality sector (+8,800), the government sector (+6,900), and the manufacturing sector (+4,900), among others.

Wage and salary employment grew in November by 9,100. Monthly gains were seen in the trade, transportation, and utilities sector (+5,500), the government sector (+3,800), and the education and health services sector (+900), among others.

Manufacturing employment measures 273,700 in November, its highest level since November 2008. The motor vehicle manufacturing (14,600), service providing (1,736,700), professional and business services (261,000), and education and health services (252,900) sectors are registering record high levels of employment.

Alabama’s job growth rate for November is 2.4%, the highest recorded in 2019. It surpasses the national job growth rate of 1.5%. This marks the tenth month that Alabama’s job growth rate has matched or exceeded the national rate.

Wages also increased, both over-the-month and over-the-year. Average weekly earnings in November were $863.11, up $1.06 from October, and up $21.56 from November 2018.

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 1.8%, Marshall County at 2.0%, and Limestone and Madison Counties at 2.1%. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 6.3%, Clarke County at 4.8%, and Greene and Lowndes Counties at 4.7%.

Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Homewood and Vestavia at 1.6%, Northport at 1.7%, and Alabaster, Hoover, and Madison at 1.8%. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Selma at 5.0%, Prichard at 4.8%, and Anniston and Bessemer at 3.6%.

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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