Alabama Unemployment Stalls at 3.3% in May, Labor Force Participation Remains Strong
Montgomery, AL – Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 3.3% in May, unchanged from April, and higher than the 2.9% recorded in May 2024, according to the Alabama Department of Workforce Development. The state’s labor participation rate also remained stable at 58%, a notable six-tenths of a percentage point above last year, but below the national participation rate of 62.4%.
The proportion of young workers dipped slightly to 78.7% from April to May. “I continue to be pleased with the increases in our labor force participation rate,” commented Workforce Secretary Greg Reed. “The last time Alabama saw a rate of 58.0% was more than 12 years ago in 2013, demonstrating our workforce’s adaptability and growth despite challenges like a major recession and a pandemic.”
The unemployment rate reflects approximately 78,246 individuals actively seeking work, a decrease from 78,756 in April and a rise from 67,878 last May. In positive news, the number of employed individuals rose by over 34,000 to reach a new high of 2.3 million, while wage and salary employment climbed by 23,100 to exceed 2.2 million.
Sectors showcasing job growth included private education, health services, leisure, hospitality, and government roles. “Our employers are encouraged by our economic progress and are continuing to create and fill jobs at an unprecedented pace,” Reed added.
Counties reporting the lowest unemployment rates in May included Shelby at 2.2%, alongside St. Clair, Morgan, Madison, Limestone, and Elmore at 2.3%. Key cities showing low unemployment included Vestavia Hills and Trussville at 2%, with Hoover and Alabaster at 2.1%.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
