Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.7% with the biggest shift in Business Services, which lost 1,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.

Total employment in the Birmingham-Hoover, AL market rose by 4,641 jobs in April and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 2.7%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 43 bps over the same time to 5.7%.

  • Birmingham-Hoover, AL unemployment rate is 305 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 880 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in April versus prior month by 1.4% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Birmingham-Hoover, AL Unemployment April 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.4%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 105,300; -500
  • Government: 85,300; +200
  • Education & Healthcare: 74,200; +1,100
  • Business Services: 72,300; -1,300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 46,300; +700
  • Financial Services: 40,800; -500
  • Manufacturing: 37,400; -500
  • Construction, Mining: 30,700; -1,200
  • Other Jobs: 28,400; -200
  • IT & Development: 7,800; no change
Birmingham-Hoover, AL Unemployment by Industry April 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through April 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 2, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.