Overall unemployment rate moved down to 5.4% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2021.
Total employment in the Columbus, GA-AL market rose by 2,774 jobs in January and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 5.4%. The national unemployment rate increased by 31 bps over the same time to 6.8%.
- Columbus, GA-AL unemployment rate is 141 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 140 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
- Average wages (per hour) declined in January versus prior month by -5.9% and are equal compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -1.4%. Key sectors include:
- Government: 23,100; -500
- Transportation & Utilities: 17,100; -300
- Education & Healthcare: 15,500; -100
- Business Services: 14,800; -400
- Restaurants & Hotels: 13,300; -400
- Financial Services: 12,100; -100
- Manufacturing: 10,500; no change
- Construction, Mining: 4,800; +100
- Other Jobs: 3,900; no change
- IT & Development: 1,100; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2021 (Data published March 2021 and reports created on March 25, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.