Overall unemployment rate stayed flat at 3.8% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in May 2023.

Total employment in the Columbus, GA-AL market rose by 359 jobs in March and the unemployment rate stayed flat. The national unemployment rate decreased by 27 bps over the same time to 3.6%.

  • Columbus, GA-AL unemployment rate is 18 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 30 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in March versus prior month by 9% 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 March 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.1% . Key sectors include:

  • Government: 25,400; +200
  • Transportation & Utilities: 18,500; +100
  • Education & Healthcare: 17,600; -100
  • Business Services: 16,100; -200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 14,800; +200
  • Financial Services: 11,400; -100
  • Manufacturing: 10,300; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 4,800; no change
  • Other Jobs: 4,400; no change
  • IT & Development: 1,200; no change
Columbus, GA-AL Unemployment by Industry March 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2023 (Data published May 2023 and reports created on May 9,2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.