Overall unemployment rate moved up to 2.2% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 2,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2022.

Total employment in the Birmingham-Hoover, AL market rose by 3,753 jobs in May and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 2.2%. The national unemployment rate increased by 4 bps over the same time to 3.4%.

  • Birmingham-Hoover, AL unemployment rate is 118 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 90 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 6.4% 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 May 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.7% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 112,700; -100
  • Government: 86,700; +200
  • Education & Healthcare: 75,400; +400
  • Business Services: 72,000; +800
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 51,300; +2,000
  • Financial Services: 42,700; -200
  • Manufacturing: 39,400; +200
  • Construction, Mining: 32,300; +600
  • Other Jobs: 31,100; +100
  • IT & Development: 8,500; -100
Birmingham-Hoover, AL Unemployment by Industry May 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2022 (Data published June 2022 and reports created on June 29, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.