ALABAMA: Huntsville is no longer considered the most progressive city in Alabama. The Iron City raised its minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, beating the Rocket City in a show of support for the common worker. What would an increase to $10.10 an hour mean for low-wage earners in Huntsville.
After reviewing the Alabama Department of Labor Occupational Employment Statistics, it appears the majority of unskilled, full-time workers in Huntsville already earn about $10 an hour. I double checked this with the local Chamber of Commerce and a University of Alabama in Huntsville professor of economics. They both agreed that the state figures were about right. The professor suggested there could be a shortage of unskilled laborers here, which accounts for the higher wage.
