Overall unemployment rate stayed flat at 3.1% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which lost 1,400 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.

Total employment in the Birmingham-Hoover, AL market declined by 4,253 jobs in August and the unemployment rate stayed flat. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 5.3%.

  • Birmingham-Hoover, AL unemployment rate is 219 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 390 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in August versus prior month by 2.4% 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 August 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.3%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 106,000; -1,300
  • Government: 84,500; +400
  • Education & Healthcare: 76,200; +400
  • Business Services: 74,000; +1,000
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 49,300; -1,400
  • Financial Services: 41,900; +500
  • Manufacturing: 37,800; +200
  • Construction, Mining: 29,800; -1,100
  • Other Jobs: 28,900; -100
  • IT & Development: 8,200; -100
Birmingham-Hoover, AL Unemployment by Industry August 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 29, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.