Overall unemployment rate moved up to 4.1% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2023.

Total employment in the Columbus, GA-AL market rose by 275 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 80 bps to 4.1%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • Columbus, GA-AL unemployment rate is 24 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is equal to the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in January versus prior month by 5.2% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Columbus, GA-AL Unemployment January 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.4%. Key sectors include:

  • Government: 24,700; -200
  • Transportation & Utilities: 18,500; -300
  • Education & Healthcare: 17,500; +100
  • Business Services: 16,300; no change
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 14,600; no change
  • Financial Services: 11,500; no change
  • Manufacturing: 10,300; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 4,800; -100
  • Other Jobs: 4,400; no change
  • IT & Development: 1,200; no change
Columbus, GA-AL Unemployment by Industry January 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2023 (Data published March 2023 and reports created on March 17, 2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.