Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama's labor force participation rate increased to 57.1% in November. The proportion of prime-age workers increased by 3 points per 10 in this month to 78.4%. Prime-age workers are those between the ages of 25 and 54.
“Our labor force participation rate rose slightly this month, but we saw a little more growth for the year, with the rate rising by nearly half a percentage point. The labor force participation rate for prime-age workers also showed a slight improvement. , an increase of three-tenths of a point in the same month. This means three out of four middle-aged Alabama adults are still working, and that number is steadily increasing every month.” Washington said. “Furthermore, the number of jobs supported by the economy has increased significantly, reaching a new record high, with approximately 38,000 new jobs added over the year.”
Alabama's preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.4% in November, up slightly from 2.3% in October. The November interest rate is significantly lower than the November 2022 interest rate of 2.6%. This unemployment rate was equivalent to 55,475 people, which rose to 52,182 in October 2022 and 60,169 in November.
The number of people counted as employed rose by 40,100 over the year to a record 2,263,270. The civilian workforce also increased by 35,406 people during the year, reaching a record high of 2,318,745 people.
During the year, wage and salary employment increased by 37,500 to a record high of 2,184,900. This includes increases in the private education and health services sector (+14,000), government sector (+6,500), and trade, transport and transportation. Utilities sector (+4,700), etc.
The number of wage and salary employees increased by 17,400 in November. Monthly increases were seen in the trade, transportation and utilities sector (+6,200), private education and health services sector (+5,200), and manufacturing sector (+3,200), among others.
“This job growth continues to improve, and we know that Alabama employers continue to add jobs each month,” Washington continued. “Wage growth has also been modest throughout the year, with two major employment sectors posting record wages in November.”
The average total weekly private wage in November was $1,010.82, an increase of $17.49 from the previous year. Average weekly wages in the construction and trade, transportation, and utilities sectors hit record highs, with construction wages increasing by $126.01 per week (annual) and trade, transportation, and utilities wages increasing by $27.57 per week (annual). ) increased. .
The counties with the lowest unemployment rates are Shelby County at 1.8 percent, Morgan County at 1.9 percent, and Marshall and Bullock counties at 2.0 percent. The counties with the highest unemployment rates are Wilcox County at 8.0 percent, Dallas County at 5.4 percent, and Perry County at 5.0 percent.
The major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are Vestavia Hills at 1.6 percent, Homewood, Madison and Northport at 1.7 percent, and Alabaster, Hoover and Trussville at 1.8 percent. The major cities with the highest unemployment rates are Selma at 6.7 percent, Pritchard at 4.7 percent and Bessemer at 3.9 percent.
