(The Center Square) – Unemployment and labor force participation rate remained constant in March as Alabama climbed near 40,000 jobs added this year.

The 3% unemployment rate is 14th-lowest nationally, same as Mississippi and Wisconsin. It is up 0.7% a year earlier.

The state’s workforce participation rate was 57.4%, trailing the national rate of 62.7%.

“The number of prime age people that are holding down jobs continues to increase,” Alabama Department of Labor secretary Fitzgerald Washington said in a release, speaking of ages 24-54. “That number is very close to a full 80% of prime age individuals working.

“We remain hopeful that this trend will continue throughout the year, especially as the state works to raise its overall labor force participation rate.”

The total state workforce increased by 38,900 jobs. Private education and health care sectors led with 10,500 new jobs, along with government (9,300 new jobs) and manufacturing (7,200).

Compared to March 2023, employment increased by 5,300. Government jobs, and those in leisure and hospitality industry, led at 2,400 each.

Shelby County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate at 2.3%. Morgan, Marshall and Cullman counties were at 2.5% and Madison, Limestone, Elmore and Autauga were at 2.6%.

Wilcox County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 8.8%. Next highest were Perry (6%) and Greene (5.9%).

Among the state’s most populated counties, Mobile had an unemployment rate of 3.9%, Montgomery County had a rate of 3.2%, Jefferson County was at 2.9%, and Madison County’s rate was 2.6%.

The cities with the lowest unemployment rates were primarily clustered in the Birmingham metro – Vestavia Hills (2%); Alabaster, Homewood and Madison (2.1%); and Hoover and Trussville (2.2%).

Alabama cities with the highest unemployment rates included Selma at 6.5%, Prichard at 5.7%, and Bessemer and Mobile at 4.3%.