{"schema_version": 1, "id": "birmingham-hoover-al-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10", "product": "Metro Job Market Pulse", "metro": {"geography_id": 97, "label": "Birmingham-Hoover, AL MSA", "slug": "birmingham-hoover-al-msa"}, "focus_area": {"key": "general_conditions", "slug": "metro-job-market", "label": "General Market Conditions"}, "period": "2026-10", "public_after": "2026-10-01", "frozen_at": "2026-11-03T07:27:16.445484+00:00", "headline": "Birmingham labor market tightens even as Alabama's loosens.", "headline_summary": "Birmingham-Hoover's 3.4% unemployment rate sits below Alabama's statewide 3.5%, while skilled-trades pay climbs and metro average weekly wages of $1,493 trail the national $1,654 \u2014 a gap commerce leaders can read as cost-competitiveness.", "key_indicators": [{"label": "Metro unemployment rate", "value": "3.4%", "context": "vs 3.5% statewide, 4.1% national (Aug/Sep 2026)"}, {"label": "Metro avg. weekly wage", "value": "$1,493", "context": "vs $1,654 national average (Q1 2026)"}, {"label": "Alabama prime-age participation", "value": "79.5%", "context": "up from 78.4% a year earlier"}, {"label": "National job ad growth (YoY)", "value": "+2.8%", "context": "up from -8.1% a year ago, per Indeed JPI"}], "takeaways": [{"headline": "Birmingham's labor market looks tighter than Alabama's as a whole.", "body": "Metro unemployment at 3.4% in August sits below the state's 3.5% September rate, and the local labor force contracted in June versus a year earlier. That combination \u2014 low unemployment plus a shrinking labor pool \u2014 points to undersupplied conditions, a distinction state and local economists should keep separate from headline unemployment upticks."}, {"headline": "Skilled trades carry the metro's wage story this month.", "body": "Electrician ($67,600) and HVAC technician ($65,742) advertised pay both moved up moderately locally, tracking Alabama's record construction weekly wage of $1,432.21 statewide. Construction Laborer pay moved down moderately in the metro even as trades roles climbed, suggesting wage gains are concentrating in licensed/certified trades without lifting entry-level construction broadly."}, {"headline": "Professional-services pay softness bears watching against national trends.", "body": "Financial Analyst, Operations Manager, Warehouse Manager, and Business Analyst advertised pay all declined moderately to significantly in Birmingham this month, a pattern distinct from the stable-to-up national figures for these roles. One month of movement doesn't establish a trend, but a repeat next month would mark a local professional-services divergence worth flagging to workforce planners."}, {"headline": "Real wages are eroding locally even where nominal pay holds.", "body": "National median weekly earnings rose 1.5% against 3.5% CPI growth in Q3, and most Birmingham advertised-pay categories show a 'stable' trend \u2014 meaning flat nominal pay against continued inflation likely compresses local household purchasing power. That dynamic is directly relevant to consumer-facing commerce leaders assessing local spending capacity."}], "local_conditions": "Birmingham-Hoover's unemployment rate held at 3.4% in August, among the tightest in the Southeast, even as Alabama's statewide rate climbed to 3.5% on rising labor force entry. Metro labor supply remains constrained \u2014 the local labor force was smaller in June than a year earlier \u2014 while advertised pay gains concentrate in electrician, HVAC, accountant, and software engineering roles, pointing to selective wage pressure in skilled trades and technical occupations.", "implications": "Tight local labor supply alongside a cooling national job-ad picture (national JPI growth of 2.8% year-over-year, well below prior cycles) suggests Birmingham's labor market conditions are more favorable to employers than the national headline implies, which matters for site-selection and expansion conversations commerce leaders have with prospective employers. Skilled-trades wage strength (electrician up moderate, HVAC up moderate) tracks construction and manufacturing momentum statewide, consistent with a metro economy still absorbing capital investment. Current conditions suggest economic development officials and chambers emphasize Birmingham's wage-to-cost-of-living position \u2014 metro average weekly wages of $1,493 against the national $1,654 \u2014 when discussing business-climate competitiveness with site-selection consultants and relocating employers.", "looking_ahead": [{"category": "Expected data release", "body": "BLS metro-level unemployment data for September and October publishes on its standard lag; watch whether Birmingham's 3.4% rate holds or converges toward the statewide 3.5%, which would signal broader softening beyond Jefferson County."}, {"category": "Early indicator", "body": "Alabama recorded 61 WARN filings over 24 months affecting 6,635 workers, with recent filings concentrated outside the Birmingham metro (Montgomery, Huntsville, Dothan, Eastaboga). Any filing inside Jefferson, Shelby, or surrounding counties would mark a shift worth tracking for local economic development offices."}, {"category": "Worth watching", "body": "Birmingham's No. 1 national ranking for college-graduate job opportunities (ADP, May 2026) and $59,004 median starting pay for recent graduates position the metro as a talent-retention story for UAB and other regional institutions; watch whether that ranking holds through fall hiring cycles as a proof point for regional marketing."}, {"category": "Potential inflection point", "body": "Prime-age labor force participation statewide rose to 79.5% from 78.4% a year ago, even as headline unemployment ticked up. Watch whether Birmingham's county-level participation data, when released, mirrors that statewide pattern \u2014 it would reframe rising unemployment as a sign of labor-force expansion."}], "roles": [{"role": "Retail Sales Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 23467.0, "metro_p50": 28080.0, "metro_p75": 32240.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 33340.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Retail Cashier", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 23920.0, "metro_p50": 26138.4, "metro_p75": 28378.5, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 31268.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Warehouse/Fulfillment Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 30202.0, "metro_p50": 35360.0, "metro_p75": 37440.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 38480.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "CDL Truck Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 56557.0, "metro_p50": 75400.0, "metro_p75": 84560.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 78872.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Delivery Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 29783.0, "metro_p50": 31933.0, "metro_p75": 35360.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 34826.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Construction Laborer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 31200.0, "metro_p50": 35360.0, "metro_p75": 38480.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 40726.6, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Electrician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 57200.0, "metro_p50": 67600.0, "metro_p75": 72800.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 71835.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Manufacturing Production Worker/Assembler", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 30870.0, "metro_p50": 33280.0, "metro_p75": 37440.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Customer Service Representative", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 31200.0, "metro_p50": 36223.4, "metro_p75": 40140.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Food Service Worker", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 27118.0, "metro_p50": 29516.0, "metro_p75": 32240.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 33764.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Certified Nursing Assistant / Home Health Aide", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 28754.0, "metro_p50": 33082.0, "metro_p75": 35569.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 41600.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Administrative Assistant/Office Clerk", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 30096.5, "metro_p50": 39923.0, "metro_p75": 43695.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 44552.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "HVAC Technician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 54032.5, "metro_p50": 65742.0, "metro_p75": 70720.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 71406.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Registered Nurse", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 71987.0, "metro_p50": 82218.0, "metro_p75": 90974.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 102252.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Software Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 100593.25, "metro_p50": 127484.8, "metro_p75": 139791.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 154403.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Data Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 101105.0, "metro_p50": 123047.8, "metro_p75": 133105.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 138000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Accountant", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 56639.0, "metro_p50": 68518.0, "metro_p75": 72500.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 72000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Financial Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 67432.25, "metro_p50": 78189.0, "metro_p75": 88518.25, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 94646.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "HR Generalist/Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 51701.5, "metro_p50": 64250.0, "metro_p75": 72656.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 74477.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Marketing Specialist", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 45342.5, "metro_p50": 55000.0, "metro_p75": 61222.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 62916.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Operations Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 55900.0, "metro_p50": 70071.6, "metro_p75": 75736.5, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 86294.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Elementary/Secondary School Teacher", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 32240.0, "metro_p50": 56921.8, "metro_p75": 67276.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 55908.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Account Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 62068.0, "metro_p50": 84865.6, "metro_p75": 95000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 94009.4, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Warehouse Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 43698.25, "metro_p50": 57387.4, "metro_p75": 77854.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 75000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Business Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 73626.0, "metro_p50": 93600.0, "metro_p75": 100561.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 98302.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}], "industry_snapshot": [{"sector": "Construction", "median_pay": 60961.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Manufacturing", "median_pay": 72285.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Retail Trade", "median_pay": 36582.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"sector": "Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities", "median_pay": 66212.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Information", "median_pay": 72500.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Financial Activities", "median_pay": 80000.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Professional & Business Services", "median_pay": 57764.5, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "stable", "postings_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"sector": "Education & Health Services", "median_pay": 71028.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Leisure & Hospitality", "median_pay": 31200.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"sector": "Government", "median_pay": 61989.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}], "citations": [], "methodology": "Advertised pay from active employer job postings, not survey data. WageScape's median is calibrated to correct for spurious low-value postings: distribution analysis shows roughly the lowest 10% of raw values are erroneous entries, so the reported median is the 60th percentile of raw advertised pay.", "edition_label": "November 2026", "files": {"html": "birmingham-hoover-al-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.html", "pdf": "birmingham-hoover-al-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.pdf", "sources_html": "birmingham-hoover-al-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.sources.html"}, "published_at": "2026-11-03T08:18:48.585635+00:00", "report_html_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/birmingham-hoover-al-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.html", "report_pdf_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/birmingham-hoover-al-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.pdf"}