Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted January unemployment rate is 3.1%, unchanged from December 2021’s rate, and below January 2021’s rate of 4.0%. Only 69,141 persons qualified to draw unemployment benefits compared to 69,434 in December and 90,390 in January 2021.
Fitzgerald Washington is the Secretary of the Alabama Department of Labor.
“Alabama’s healthy economic environment is carrying on, with our unemployment rate holding steady yet again for a fourth consecutive month,” said Washington. “While holding steady may not seem like a positive thing to some, given the uncertainties that currently exist in our national economy, I’m proud to say that, so far, Alabama is maintaining positive employment trends.
“Our job growth has continued, with more than 33,000 jobs created since January of last year. Wages have shown yearly growth as well, with total private weekly earnings up $30.60. Other industries, such as leisure and hospitality and education and health services, have also seen remarkable yearly growth.”
He said that in 2021 Alabama's unemployment rate dropped to a yearly record low of 3.1%, only two-tenths of a percentage point away from the state's previous record low of 2.9% in Jun. 2019. He said that's amazing when the unemployment rate was 13.7% in Apr. 2020. He also pointed out that the all-time high of 298,920 unemployed in Apr. 2020 dropped to 81,599, a decrease of 217,321 people.
Over the year, wage and salary employment increased 33,500, with gains in the trade, transportation, and utilities sector (+11,200), the leisure and hospitality sector (+10,100), and the construction sector (+4,500), among others.
“Partly due to circumstances arising from the pandemic, Alabama also saw major wage gains over the past year,” Washington said. “In August of 2021, our average weekly earnings rose to a brand-new record high of $988.89. That’s $138.16 a week HIGHER than in August 2019 – before we’d even heard of COVID-19. Throughout the year we saw various sectors reach and break wage records, including the construction sector, which saw wages go above $1100 a week, and the manufacturing sector, which saw wages of more than $1200 a week. In traditionally lower-wage industries, such as leisure and hospitality, we saw over-the-year increases of nearly $50. To see that kind of increase in such a short time frame is fairly remarkable. It just doesn’t happen.”
All 67 counties experienced an unemployment rate drop, over the year.
The counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 2.2%, Marshall, Limestone, and Cullman Counties at 2.5%, and Morgan, Elmore, and Blount Counties at 2.6%. The counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 11.2%, Lowndes County at 8.6%, and Perry County at 8.4%.
The major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Homewood at 2.0%, Alabaster at 2.1%, and Athens and Madison at 2.3%. The major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Selma at 8.0%, Prichard at 7.3%, and Bessemer at 5.6%.
“When you look at the jobs count in Alabama, there’s even more good news,” Washington said. “From January 2021 to December 2021, we saw an increase of 61,800 jobs. That means employers added more than 60,000 jobs, despite lingering economic pandemic-related concerns. We are working towards reaching our pre-pandemic record high jobs count, and I’m extremely hopeful that we will be able to bypass that record this year.
“We are in the business of providing a quality workforce. It’s one of Governor Ivey’s major goals. We at ADOL are happy to do our part in helping to achieve that goal. To that end, I’d be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to remind everyone of the many free services our Career Centers offer. We’re now up to 55 locations statewide, and we touch each of Alabama’s 67 counties. If you’re a job seeker, we can help you with your résumé, work on interview skills, or get you enrolled in just about any type of educational or vocational training. Want to be a truck driver? A nurse? A welder? We can help with all of that. For employers, we can help you find qualified employees – we prescreen for you, provide you with interview space, and can even help with salary credits. Check us out at www.labor.alabama.gov – we’re here to help!”
Economic developer Dr. Nicole Jones said, “Our state has available jobs, a diversified economy, and a quality and skilled workforce. Alabama ranks fifth in the nation for the BEST unemployment recovery since the COVID-19 outbreak. Currently, our unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is below the national average of 4%. Thank you, Secretary Fitzgerald Washington and the Alabama Department of Labor (ADOL), for your dedication to putting Alabamians back to work.”
Employers can still participate in the Hire Vets Medallion Award Program, an official program of the U.S. Department of Labor. The application period runs through April 30, 2022.
These awards are the only federal-level veterans’ employment awards that recognize a company or organization’s commitment to veteran hiring, retention and professional development. In 2021, 37 Alabama companies received the HIRE Vets Medallion Award, and 849 employers were recognized nationally. Since the program’s inception, nearly 70 Alabama businesses have received this honor.
“This program provides an opportunity for employers to be honored for going the extra mile in hiring and retaining veterans,” Washington said. “I encourage vet-friendly businesses to put their name forward for consideration. This program is advantageous to both employers and veteran employees alike.”
The HIRE Vets Medallion Award is based on several criteria, ranging from veteran hiring and retention to providing veteran-specific resources, leadership programming, dedicated human resources, and compensation and tuition assistance programs – with requirements varying for large, medium, and small employers. There is no application fee.
To learn more, create an account, or update an existing account for the HIRE Vets Medallion Award Program, go to HireVets.gov or visit one of the 55 Alabama Career Centers in the state for assistance. For more information on the program, contact Donal Cieutat, State Veterans Coordinator: Donal.Cieutat@alcc.alabama.gov.
The total civilian labor force in the state, that is employed Alabamians plus those actively looking for work, is 2,261,033 which is up from 2,249,968 in Dec. and 2,231,365 in Jan. 2021.
Alabama’s labor force participation rate is just 56.7% which is down from 56.9% a year ago and trails the national average of 61.9%.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandon.moseley@1819News.com.
