MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama Department of Workforce Secretary Greg Reed this week announced that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for November decreased to 2.7%. This is down from November 2024’s rate of 3.3%. The rate represents 65,078 unemployed persons, compared to 78,802 in November 2024.
Cullman County’s November 2025 rate is 2.4%, down from 2.9% in November 2024.
“It’s always a good day when we are able to announce that we’ve set three new records in Alabama,” said Reed. “We continue to see improvement in our labor force, including how many people are working and how many jobs our economy is supporting. We are all working together to ensure that Alabama is positioned in its best light for the upcoming new year.”
The number of people counted as employed increased by 31,401 over the year to 2,312,892, a new record high. The civilian labor force also increased to 2,377,970, with 17,677 more people joining over the year.
Over the year, wage and salary employment increased by 12,400 to 2,223,800, also a new record high, with gains in the leisure and hospitality sector (+7,800), the private education and health services sector (+6,800), and the construction sector (+3,900), among others.
“This industry growth is remarkable and shows that our continued dedication to establishing and nurturing partnerships between government and business is paying off. Yet again, we have record high job growth across the state,” continued Reed. “Wages are at a record high. Alabama’s families are realizing the fruit of our efforts, and we are committed to keeping them high.”
Average weekly wages increased by $83.65 over the year to a new record high of $1,148.80.
Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are Shelby and Elmore counties at 2.1%, St. Clair, Morgan, Marshall, Madison, Limestone, Lee and Blount counties at 2.2%, and Lawrence, Chilton, Chambers and Autauga counties at 2.3%. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are Perry County at 5.9%, Wilcox County at 5.8% and Monroe County at 5.7%.
Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are Trussville and Alabaster at 1.9%, Pelham, Madison, Hoover and Homewood at 2.0% and Vestavia Hills at 2.1%. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are Prichard at 5.8%, Selma at 4.9% and Anniston at 4.2%.
NOTE: Local Area Unemployment Statistics for October 2025 were not collected due to the federal government shutdown. Therefore, data is not available for October 2025. This data includes the civilian labor force, the number of people employed, the number of people unemployed and the unemployment rate.
