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.

July 2024
Unemployment Situation
Seasonally Adjusted July 2024
Preliminary
June 2024
Revised
Alabama:
2.8%
2.9%
United States:
4.3%
4.1%

Alabama’s labor force participation rate for July held steady at 57.5%. The percentage of prime-age workers increased by one-tenth of a percentage point to 79.3% over the month. Over the year, this number increased by one and a half percentage points from 77.8%. Prime-age workers are those aged 25-54 years.

Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 2.8%, down from June 2024’s rate of 2.9%. July’s rate is higher than July 2023’s rate of 2.4%. The rate represents 66,591 unemployed persons, compared to 67,782 in June and 55,583 in July 2023.

The number of people counted as employed increased by 20,156 over the year to a new record high count of 2,273,759. The civilian labor force also increased to a new record high of 2,340,350, with 31,164 more people joining over the year.

Over the year, wage and salary employment grew by 52,500 to 2,211,700, with gains in the private education and health services sector (+13,500), the leisure and hospitality sector (+9,400), and the trade, transportation, and utilities sector (+9,000), among others.

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby and Morgan Counties at 2.5%, Marshall and Cullman Counties at 2.6%, and St. Clair, Madison, Limestone, and Elmore Counties at 2.7%. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 8.8%, Perry County at 7.0%, and Dallas County at 6.2%.

Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Vestavia Hills at 2.2%, Trussville and Hoover at 2.3%, and Alabaster, Homewood, and Madison at 2.4%. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Selma at 7.4%, Prichard at 5.7%, and Bessemer at 4.4%.

Unemployment Snapshot

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.