Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.6% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 1,600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.

Total employment in the Birmingham-Hoover, AL market declined by 1,932 jobs in May and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 2.6%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 25 bps over the same time to 5.5%.

  • Birmingham-Hoover, AL unemployment rate is 290 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 450 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in May versus prior month by 2.6% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Birmingham-Hoover, AL Unemployment May 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.5% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 105,100; +100
  • Government: 84,600; -700
  • Education & Healthcare: 73,800; -100
  • Business Services: 72,800; +200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 47,800; +1,600
  • Financial Services: 41,300; +300
  • Manufacturing: 37,800; +400
  • Construction, Mining: 30,900; +400
  • Other Jobs: 28,600; no change
  • IT & Development: 8,000; +200
Birmingham-Hoover, AL Unemployment by Industry May 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 30, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.