Alabama Department of Workforce Secretary Greg Reed announced today 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%, according to the Department of Labor’s news release.
Nov. 2025’s rate represents 65,078 unemployed persons, compared to 78,802 in Nov. 2024.
“It’s always a good day when we are able to announce that we’ve set three new records in Alabama,” Reed said in the release.
“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 2025 to 2,312,892, a new record high, according to the DOL.
The civilian labor force also increased to 2,377,970, with 17,677 more people joining over the year.
Trussville and Alabaster tied among Alabama’s major cities for the lowest unemployment rate at 1.9%, according to the release.
They were followed by Pelham, Madison, and Hoover, and Homewood at 2.0%, and Vestavia Hills at 2.1%.
Prichard has the highest unemployment rate of Alabama’s major cities at 5.8%, according to the release.
Selma followed at 4.9%, and Anniston at 4.2%.
Counties with the lowest unemployment rates include: 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%.
Over the year, wage and salary employment increased by 12,400 to 2,223,800, another 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), according to the release.
“This industry growth is remarkable and shows that our continued dedication to establishing and nurturing partnerships between government and business is paying off,” Reed said.
“…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, the release says.
