Labor Market Information, a Division of the Alabama Department of Workforce

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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).

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.

March 2025
Unemployment Situation
Seasonally Adjusted March 2025
Preliminary
February 2025
Revised
Alabama:
3.3%
3.3%
United States:
4.2%
4.1%

Alabama’s labor force participation rate for March increased to 57.8%, up from 57.7% last month and 57.4% in March 2024. The percentage of prime-age workers held steady at 78.8%. Prime-age workers are those aged 25-54 years.

Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted March unemployment rate is 3.3%, unchanged from February 2025’s rate and above March 2024’s rate of 2.9%. The rate represents 78,762 unemployed persons, compared to 77,807 in February and 67,128 in March 2024.

The number of people counted as employed increased by 27,680 over the year to 2,294,254, a new record high. The civilian labor force also increased to 2,373,016, also a new record high, with 39,314 more people joining over the year.

Over the year, wage and salary employment increased by 20,900 to 2,201,600, with gains in the private education and health services sector (+8,200), the government sector (+5,900), and the construction sector (+4,000) among others.

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 2.7%, St. Clair and Elmore Counties at 2.8%, and Morgan, Marshall, Limestone, and Autauga Counties at 2.9%. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Greene County at 7.7%, Perry County at 7.3%, and Wilcox County at 6.1%.

Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Homewood and Vestavia Hills at 2.5%, Hoover, Pelham, and Trussville at 2.6%, and Alabaster and Madison at 2.7%. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Prichard at 7.0%, Selma at 5.6%, and Anniston at 4.8%.

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Labor Market 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.