The Alabama Department of Workforce reports that the state’s unemployment rate rose slightly in April, while the manufacturing sector hit new milestones.
Workforce Secretary Greg Reed announced last week that Alabama’s April preliminary, seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 2.8 percent, up slightly from March’s rate of 2.7 percent, and below the April 2025 rate of 2.9 percent.
The rate represents 67,115 unemployed individuals, compared to 65,467 in March and 69,951 in April 2025.
The number of people counted as employed increased by 3,579 over the year to 2,311,287. The civilian labor force also increased to 2,378,402, with 1,103 individuals joining the workforce this year. Prime-age workers, aged 25 to 54 years old, are working at a rate of 79.3 percent.
Alongside the slight uptick in state unemployment, which has remained relatively stable in 2026 at 2.7 percent to 2.9 percent, Reed highlighted growth in the state’s construction sector.
Workforce reported that Alabama’s construction industry reached its highest employment level in April since 2008, with 111,800 employed workers.
Average weekly wages in the manufacturing sector also hit a new record high of $1,407. This represents the first time in state history that average manufacturing wages have surpassed $1,400.
“Construction and manufacturing are among the most vital sectors of our economy,” Reed said in a written statement.
“When we continue to see growth and, even more importantly, wage growth in these sectors, that signifies sustained economic growth,” the secretary added. “Additionally, we are continuing to see Alabama employers adding jobs and hiring workers at record levels.”
Counties that reported the lowest April unemployment rates were Shelby and Elmore counties at 2.0 percent; Morgan, Marshall, Limestone, Lee, Chilton, Chambers and Blount counties at 2.1 percent; and Madison, Lawrence, Franklin, DeKalb, Cleburne, Baldwin and Autauga counties at 2.2 percent.
Counties with the highest unemployment rates were Greene County at 5.5 percent, Monroe and Perry counties at 5.3 percent and Wilcox County at 4.9 percent.
Major cities with the lowest rates were Trussville and Pelham at 1.7 percent, Vestavia Hills at 1.8 percent and Alabaster at 1.9 percent.
Major cities with the highest unemployment rates were Prichard at 5.4 percent, Selma at 4.7 percent and Bessemer at 3.8 percent.
