Dothan, Ala. – According to the state officials, the civilian labor force, which is the number of people who are either working or looking for work, has increased to its highest ever level at 2,291,962, representing a yearly increase of 47,818.
The number of people counted as employed has also reached a new record high at 2,232,543, representing a yearly increase of 65,475.
Over the year, wage and salary employment increased 34,300, with gains in the construction sector (+8,700), the education and health services sector (+7,200) and the manufacturing sector (+5,300), among others.
Average weekly wages are at their second highest level, measuring $1,005.34 per week. Additionally, the trade, transportation and utilities sector and the professional and business services sector reached new record high weekly wage levels, at $820.00 and $1,332.54, respectively.
Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 2.1%, Marshall and Cullman Counties at 2.4% and St. Clair, Limestone, Clay, and Blount Counties at 2.5%. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 11.3%, Perry County at 8.3% and Lowndes County at 8.1%.
Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Trussville and Vestavia Hills at 1.9%, Homewood at 2.0% and Alabaster and Madison at 2.1%. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Selma at 9.4%, Prichard at 7.5% and Bessemer at 4.9%.
