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.

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October 2023
Unemployment Situation
Seasonally Adjusted October 2023
Preliminary
September 2023
Revised
Alabama:
2.3%
2.2%
United States:
3.9%
3.8%

Alabama’s labor force participation rate remained steady at 57.0%. The percentage of prime-age workers increased by one-tenth of a percentage point to 78.1% over the month. Prime-age workers are those aged 25-54 years.

Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted October unemployment rate is 2.3%, up slightly from September’s rate of 2.2%. October’s rate is well below October 2022’s rate of 2.6%. The rate represents 52,196 unemployed persons, compared to 50,166 in September and 60,443 in October 2022.

The number of people counted as employed increased by 38,038 over the year to a record high of 2,260,806. The civilian labor force also increased to a new record high of 2,313,002, with 29,791 more people joining over the year.

Over the year, wage and salary employment increased by 24,700, reaching a new record high of 2,163,400, with gains in the private education and health services sector (+8,700), the government sector (+7,400), and the trade, transportation, and utilities sector (+5,900), among others.

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 1.8%, Morgan, Limestone, Cullman, and Chilton Counties at 1.9%, and St. Clair, Marshall, Madison, Elmore, Cleburne, Cherokee, Bullock and Blount Counties at 2.0%. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 7.8%, Dallas County at 5.6%, and Clarke and Perry Counties at 4.6%.

Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Alabaster, Homewood, and Vestavia Hills at 1.6%, Hoover, Madison, and Trussville at 1.7%, and Athens at 1.8%. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Selma at 6.6%, Prichard at 4.8%, and Bessemer at 4.0%.

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.