MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced Friday that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted March unemployment rate is 3.5%, up from February’s record low level of 2.7%, and above March 2019’s rate of 3.3%. March’s rate represents 2,138,541 employed persons, down 24,216 over the year.
Cullman County’s march 2020 rate is 2.9%, up from February’s rate of 2.5% and below March 2019’s rate of 3.1%
More state statistics
Wage and salary employment decreased in March by 1,600. Monthly losses were seen in the education and health services sector (-4,300), the professional and business services sector (-2,100), and the leisure and hospitality sector (-900), among others.
Over the year, wage and salary employment increased by 12,600, with gains in the government sector (+8,800), the manufacturing sector (+3,900), the education and health services sector (+2,400), and the trade, transportation, and utilities sector (+2,300), among others.
Average weekly wages increased to $886.03 in March, down from $882.46 in February, and increased from $843.80 in March 2019.
The following sectors saw record high wages in March 2020:
- Trade, transportation, and utilities $741.22
- Other Services $787.80
Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 2.5%, Morgan, Marshall, and Madison Counties at 2.8%, and Tuscaloosa, St. Clair, Limestone, and Cullman Counties at 2.9%. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 9.6%, Clarke County at 6.7%, and Greene County at 6.2%.
Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Vestavia Hills at 2.0%, Homewood at 2.2%, and Northport and Hoover at 2.3%. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Selma at 6.8%, Prichard at 6.2%, and Gadsden at 5.3%.
*NOTE: The impact of COVID-19 will not be fully evident in the March report. This is due to the fact that the majority of closings and layoffs occurred during the week of March 16th. The unemployment rate is measured during the week of March 12. April’s unemployment rate, scheduled to be published May 22, will more accurately reflect the impact of COVID-19 on Alabama’s economy.
