MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WDNews) — Alabama’s wage and salary employment reached a new record high in June, with 2,224,200 jobs statewide, according to the Alabama Department of Workforce.
The state added 21,100 jobs over the past year, led by gains in the leisure and hospitality sector, which added 7,500 jobs. Construction followed with an increase of 5,600 jobs, while government employment grew by 5,300 positions.
“We are adding jobs every month, and breaking records,” Alabama Department of Workforce Secretary Greg Reed said. “This reflects continued employer confidence in Alabama’s economy and we are committed to building on that momentum. Alabama is a great place to do business and we’re proud to work alongside our business community in delivering quality jobs for our workforce.”
Alabama’s labor force participation rate for June was 57.1%. The percentage of prime-age workers, those between 25 and 54 years old, increased to 79.6% over the year. Officials also noted that 61.7% of those not counted in the labor force participation rate are age 55 or older.
The state’s preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for June was 3.2%, up from 3.0% in May and 2.9% in June 2025. The unemployment rate represents 76,641 people actively seeking work, compared to 72,046 in May and 67,728 one year ago.
The number of employed Alabamians totaled 2,294,118 in June, a decrease of 12,759 over the year. Alabama’s civilian labor force stood at 2,370,759, down by 3,846 people compared to June 2025.
Shelby and Chambers counties posted the state’s lowest unemployment rates at 3.2%. Morgan, Limestone, Elmore and Blount counties followed at 3.3%, while St. Clair, Marshall, Madison and Lawrence counties each reported rates of 3.4%.
Perry County recorded Alabama’s highest unemployment rate at 7.7%, followed by Greene and Monroe counties at 6.9% and Wilcox County at 6.4%.
Among Alabama’s largest cities, Pelham had the lowest unemployment rate at 2.9%, followed by Vestavia Hills and Trussville at 3.0%, and Madison, Hoover and Alabaster at 3.1%. Prichard reported the highest rate among major cities at 7.0%, followed by Selma at 6.0% and Anniston at 5.3%.
The Alabama Department of Workforce said the employment figures are based on two federal surveys. The Current Population Survey measures employment and unemployment through household interviews, while the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ establishment survey tracks wage and salary employment through employer reports.
