MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WDNews) — Alabama’s labor market continued to show strong demand for workers in May, according to new data released by the Alabama Department of Workforce.
The department’s Labor Market Information Division reported there were 120,373 online job ads posted in Alabama in May 2026, a 23.8% increase compared to May 2025.
The occupations with the most online job postings were registered nurses, customer service representatives, retail salespersons, general and operations managers, and fast food and counter workers. Together, those occupations accounted for 10,512 job ads during the month.
The median advertised annual wage in May was $56,160. The report also found there were 0.49 candidates for every available job opening, indicating continued demand for workers.
“May’s job posting data highlights the steady strength of Alabama’s labor market, with more than 120,000 online job ads reflecting sustained demand for workers across healthcare, retail, hospitality, and management occupations,” Workforce Secretary Greg Reed said. “As summer hiring continues, employers across Alabama remain focused on filling critical positions and attracting qualified talent. The consistency in job posting activity, coupled with rising wages and a competitive hiring environment, underscores the resilience of our economy and the broad range of career opportunities available to Alabamians. These trends reinforce the value of workforce development initiatives that help connect job seekers with rewarding, in-demand careers throughout our state.”
Reed added, “Our career centers across the state remain committed to helping job seekers explore available career paths, strengthen their job search efforts, and access the resources needed to succeed in today’s workforce. As employer demand remains strong, our teams stand ready to assist Alabamians in finding meaningful employment and advancing their careers.”
The report also highlighted the employers with the most online job postings in May. Huntsville Hospital led the state with 1,503 job ads, followed by Walmart Inc. with 1,089. Other employers in the top 10 included UAB Health System, McDonald’s, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Tacala LLC, Baptist Health, CVS Health, O’Reilly Auto Parts and DCH Health System.
