State employment officials announced recently that a record number of Alabamians are working, though unemployment numbers are up statewide and locally.

State Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington said 2,098,377 Alabamians were working in June, which he said represents a record high. He added employers are also reporting 2,050,400 positions, which also represents a new watermark.

“More people are entering the workforce, optimistic that they will find work, and they are finding it,” Washington said. “Workers are earning on average more than $30 per week more now than they were last year, and we’ve also seen wages increase in the construction, manufacturing, and professional and business services industries.”

Despite his optimism, unemployment numbers showed increases in June. The statewide seasonally adjusted number was 4.1 percent, up slightly from 3.9 percent in May.

Limestone’s jobless number jumped from 3.3 percent in May to 4.4 percent in June. That number represents 1,875 unemployed persons last month compared to 1,374 in May.

Surrounding counties saw similar increases in their jobless numbers last month. Madison’s rate jumped from 3.2 to 4.4 percent, while Morgan County’s rate went from 3.4 percent to 4.5 percent. Lauderdale County’s rate went from 3.9 percent to 5.4 percent.

Shelby County has the lowest unemployment rate in Alabama at 3.7 percent. Wilcox County has the highest at 11.4 percent.