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

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Online Job Ad Data Series fills a critical gap in the current U.S. economic indicators by providing real-time monthly measures of labor demand (advertised vacancies) at the state and sub-state regional 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.


Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted August unemployment rate is 2.9%, down from July 2025’s rate of 3.0%. August’s rate is lower than August 2024’s rate of 3.1%. The rate represents 68,191 unemployed persons, compared to 72,473 in July and 74,115 in August 2024.

The number of people counted as employed increased by 30,242 over the year to 2,310,036. The civilian labor force also increased over the year to 2,378,227, with 24,318 more people joining over the year.

Over the year, wage and salary employment increased by 15,400 to 2,205,700, with gains in the private education and health services sector (+5,900), the government sector (+4,000), and the manufacturing sector (+2,900), among others.

The labor force participation rate for August dropped slightly to 57.7%. The percentage of prime-age workers decreased by one-tenth of a percentage point to 78.3% over the month. Prime-age workers are those aged 25-54 years.

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby, Elmore, and Blount Counties at 2.1%, St. Clair, Morgan, Marshall, Madison, Limestone, DeKalb, and Autauga Counties at 2.2%, and Cleburne and Baldwin Counties at 2.3%. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Perry County at 5.9%, Greene County at 5.7%, and Wilcox County at 5.6%.

Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Vestavia Hills at 1.8%, Pelham at 1.9%, and Madison, Hoover, Homewood, and Alabaster at 2.0%. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Prichard at 6.2%, Selma at 4.8%, and Bessemer, Anniston, and Mobile at 3.7%.

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.