Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.2% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 1,500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in January 2022.

Total employment in the Birmingham-Hoover, AL market declined by 3,015 jobs in November and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 2.2%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 4 bps over the same time to 3.4%.

  • Birmingham-Hoover, AL unemployment rate is 116 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 20 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in November versus prior month by 5.3% 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 November 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs stayed flat. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 115,400; +1,500
  • Government: 88,700; +700
  • Education & Healthcare: 78,400; -100
  • Business Services: 70,900; -1,300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 48,000; -300
  • Financial Services: 43,600; -400
  • Manufacturing: 39,800; -100
  • Construction, Mining: 34,100; no change
  • Other Jobs: 31,900; no change
Birmingham-Hoover, AL Unemployment by Industry November 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through November 2022 (Data published January 2022 and reports created on January 3, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.