MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama’s preliminary seasonally adjusted March 2021 unemployment rate is 3.8%, down from Feb.’s rate of 4.0%, yet above March 2020s rate of 2.6%. March’s rate represents 84,670 unemployed persons, compared to 91,041 in Feb. and 57,895 in March 2020. Alabama is comfortably below the national average of 6.0%.
“Once again, our unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been since the pandemic began. We’re still not where we were before, but tremendous progress is being made,” said Washington. “We have more jobs in March than we’ve had all year, and we’re seeing monthly wage growth in several industries.”
Wage and salary employment increased in March from 9,100 to 2,019,500, the highest recorded level in 2021. The biggest monthly gains were seen in government (+2,000), financial activities (+1,900) and manufacturing (+1,700), among others.
Over the year, wage and salary employment decreased by 50,900 with the biggest losses in leisure and hospitality (-18,000), education and health services (-11,800), and government (-7,300), among others. Annual gains were seen in trade, transportation, and utilities.
“As the unemployment rate steadily drops, our focus must turn to the number of people still unemployed in Alabama. ADOL launched its 53rd Career Center in Washington County April 6. This new center furthers our efforts to serve EVERY county in Alabama,” said Washington. “Our career centers stand ready to assist the unemployed in getting back into the workforce by providing training, educational assistance and assistance in finding and applying for jobs. We can also assist employers with their hiring needs.”
Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby and Cullman Counties at 2.0%, Limestone, Franklin and Blount Counties at 2.1% and Marshall and Cleburne Counties at 2.2%. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 11.6%, Lowndes County at 10.6% and Perry County at 8.1%.
Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Madison at 1.8%, Alabaster, Homewood, Hoover, and Vestavia Hills at 1.9% and Athens at 2.1%. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Prichard at 10.0%, Selma at 9.4%, and Bessemer at 6.4%.
