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

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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.

October 2024
Unemployment Situation
Seasonally Adjusted October 2024
Preliminary
September 2024
Revised
Alabama:
2.9%
2.9%
United States:
4.1%
4.1%

Alabama’s labor force participation rate for October increased by one-tenth of a percentage to 57.6%. The percentage of prime-age workers decreased by two-tenths of a percentage point to 79.1% over the month. Over the year, this number increased by one percentage point from 78.1%. Prime-age workers are those aged 25-54 years.

Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 2.9%, unchanged from September 2024’s rate. October’s rate is higher than October 2023’s rate of 2.8%. The rate represents 69,271 unemployed persons, compared to 67,395 in September and 64,027 in October 2023.

Over the year, wage and salary employment increased by 40,400 to 2,220,700, a new record high, with gains in the private education and health services sector (+10,500), the government sector (+6,300), and the leisure and hospitality sector (+5,800), among others.

Over the month, wage and salary employment increased by 7,600, with gains in the professional and business services sector (+3,000), the government sector (+2,900), and the private education and health services sector (+1,100), among others.

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 2.4%, Marshall County at 2.5%, and Madison and Morgan Counties at 2.6%. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 7.7%, Clarke County at 6.1%, and Dallas and Greene Counties at 5.9%.

Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Homewood, Vestavia Hills, and Trussville at 2.2%, Alabaster and Hoover at 2.3%, and Madison at 2.4%. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Selma at 6.9%, Prichard at 5.7%, and Bessemer at 4.5%.

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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.