Alabama City Leads with Highest Unemployment Rate
Alabama’s job market is showing notable improvement, according to the latest announcement from the Department of Workforce Secretary Greg Reed. The preliminary, seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for November 2025 has dropped to an impressive 2.7%, down from 3.3% the previous year. This change translates to 65,078 unemployed persons, significantly lower than the 78,802 recorded in November 2024.
Job Growth and Labor Force Expansion
The latest data highlights a substantial rise in employment. Over the past year, the number of employed individuals increased by 31,401, reaching a record high of 2,312,892. The civilian labor force expanded to 2,377,970, with 17,677 people joining during the year.
Lowest and Highest Unemployment Rates in Alabama Cities
Among Alabama’s major cities, Trussville and Alabaster recorded the lowest unemployment rate at 1.9%. They are closely followed by:
- Pelham, Madison, and Hoover – 2.0%
- Homewood – 2.0%
- Vestavia Hills – 2.1%
In contrast, Prichard reported the highest unemployment rate at 5.8%, followed by:
- Selma – 4.9%
- Anniston – 4.2%
On a county level, the areas with the lowest unemployment include:
- Shelby and Elmore Counties – 2.1%
- St. Clair, Morgan, Marshall, Madison, Limestone, Lee, and Blount Counties – 2.2%
- Lawrence, Chilton, Chambers, and Autauga Counties – 2.3%
Conversely, counties with the highest unemployment rates are:
- Perry County – 5.9%
- Wilcox County – 5.8%
- Monroe County – 5.7%
Wage Increase and Employment Sectors
Employment gains are also reflected in wage growth. Over the year, wage and salary employment grew by 12,400, reaching a record total of 2,223,800. This uplift was notably pronounced in several sectors, including:
- Leisure and hospitality – +7,800 jobs
- Private education and health services – +6,800 jobs
- Construction – +3,900 jobs
As a result of these advancements, average weekly wages have surged by $83.65, now standing at a record high of $1,148.80.
These statistics underline the effectiveness of Alabama’s efforts in fostering collaborative relationships between government and business. Secretary Reed emphasized the positive outcomes from these initiatives, noting that families in Alabama are beginning to see the benefits.
