Alabama
WalletHub says Alabama among worst states for working moms. Here’s why
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Balancing a career and raising a family is no small task, and where you live can make a big difference in how manageable that balance feels.
For working mothers in Alabama, achieving this balance may be especially challenging. In a recent analysis by WalletHub, Alabama ranked 50th out of 51 (including Washington, D.C.) for working moms.
From childcare costs to workplace advancement, working mothers across Alabama face challenges that contribute to the state’s low national ranking.
Here’s how Alabama ranks in WalletHub’s analysis.
Working moms in Alabama are struggling
Alabama ranked 50th out of 51 states, with an overall score of 27.29 out of 100, based on assessments across several key categories affecting working mothers.
- Childcare systems: 47th nationally.
- Professional opportunities: 49th.
- Female executive representation: 49th.
- Work-life balance: 43rd.
The state also performed poorly in the quality and availability of the daycare system, according to the report.
These rankings mirror the daily realities for many working mothers in Alabama, who weigh affordability, career growth and family care.
Limited access to high-quality childcare can make full-time employment more difficult, while fewer women in leadership roles may signal narrower career advancement paths. These challenges are especially significant for households balancing rising living costs with child-rearing responsibilities.
WalletHub expert insight
WalletHub noted that women make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce, and about 74% of mothers with children under 18 are employed, underscoring the importance of supportive workplace and childcare systems.
“The U.S. still has a lot of work to do when it comes to improving conditions for working moms, given the wage gap and the lack of representation women have in certain leadership positions,” said Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst.
Top states for mothers:
In contrast to Alabama’s low ranking, several states excel in support for working mothers. Here are the top 10:
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- Rhode Island
- New Jersey
- Vermont
- Maine
- Minnesota
- District of Columbia
- New York
- North Dakota
The worst states for mothers:
Notably, Alabama joins other states struggling across key measures. Here are the bottom 10:
- Louisiana
- Alabama
- New Mexico
- Mississippi
- Nevada
- Arizona
- South Carolina
- West Virginia
- Texas
- Idaho
WalletHub’s methodology
WalletHub’s analysis compares all 50 states and Washington, D.C., across 17 metrics in three categories—childcare, professional opportunities, and work-life balance—including childcare quality and costs, gender pay gaps, women’s leadership, parental leave policies and access to health care.
Each state was scored on a 100-point scale and ranked by overall performance across these measures.
Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter in Alabama for USA TODAY’s Deep South Connect Team. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@usatodayco.com.
ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) – A search is underway for a missing boater in St. Clair County.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) said 64-year-old William R. North, of Bessemer, was serving as a spotter for the Pell City Sail Club with an ongoing race. Officials said North attempted to transition from a sailboat to an unoccupied “jon boat” and fell into the water and did not resurface.
ALEA said a search for North is ongoing, near the Pell City Sail Club on the southern portion of the lake, with the following agencies:
- ALEA Aviation Unit
- ALEA Marine Patrol
- Pell City Police Department
- Pell City Fire Department
- St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office
- Lincoln Special Operations Unit
- New London Fire Department
- Childersburg Rescue Squad
- Munford Rescue Squad
WBRC confirmed Sunday evening that North is the assistant district attorney for Jefferson County’s Bessemer Cutoff.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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Copyright 2026 WBRC. All rights reserved.
An Alabama football commitment from the class of 2027 has shut down his recruitment.
Three-star defensive end Avrian (AJ) Pauley out of McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in Mobile revealed his decision to 247Sports on Saturday. Pauley committed to Alabama while in Tuscaloosa for the annual A-Day event in April.
He’s a 6-foot-5, 265 pound lineman that chose the Crimson Tide over a list of finalists including Michigan, Florida State and Ole Miss. Two of those schools were pushing to get Pauley on or back on campus.
Per Brett Greenberg of 247Sports:
“Florida State was set to receive a trip the following weekend (June 5-7) and Michigan was pushing hard to get Pauley on campus the next two weeks (June 12-14, June 19-21). None of those trips took place and now Alabama will be the only program receiving visits before the Early Signing Period in December.”
Pauley is one of three defensive line prospects in Alabama’s 2027 recruiting class, along with three-star EDGE rushers Tyler Younger (Norcross, Georgia) and Jeremiah Beverly (Hillcrest High School, Tuscaloosa), both of whom committed to the Tide this past week. Rivals lists Pauley as the nation’s 69th best defensive end.
Alabama landed its fifth recruit in the past week on Saturday when four-star wide receiver Osani Gayles committed to the Tide over Washington and Stanford. The Crimson Tide now has 13 total commitments in their 2027 recruiting class.
Gayles was the ninth commitment for coach Kalen DeBoer and staff since May 31. Alabama’s 2027 class is No. 34 in Rivals’ updated Industry Football Team Recruiting Rankings. 247Sports ranks the Tide’s class No. 49.
Follow us at @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook, for ongoing coverage of Alabama Crimson Tide news, notes and opinions.
ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — A Pell City man was killed in a two-vessel crash that occurred Thursday on Lake Logan Martin, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
ALEA stated that the crash occurred near the Interstate 20 bridge at around 9:31 a.m. Gary M. Kendrick, 83, was injured when the 1993 Ranger Bass boar he was operating collided head-on with a 2005 Hurricane Pontoon boat.
Kendrick was taken to the UAB St. Vincent’s St. Clair Hospital, where he died from his injuries. The operator of the Hurricane Pontoon boat was not injured.
The Pell City Police Department and the Lincoln Fire Department both responded to the scene, assisting troopers with ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division.
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