Birmingham’s economy is one of the most diversified and resilient in the Southeast, anchored by a strong mix of healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and logistics. The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) serves as the economic engine of the region as the state’s largest employer and a nationally recognized medical research institution, supporting more than 35,000 jobs across clinical care, education, and biotech innovation. This healthcare ecosystem has generated a wide platform of research firms, specialty medical services, and life-sciences companies that continue to attract talent and private investment into the MSA.
While Birmingham’s history is rooted in steel production, the region has transitioned into a modern manufacturing base that emphasizes advanced materials, industrial metals, and building products. More than 200 advanced manufacturing and materials companies operate within the metro, supported by a deep supply chain and a skilled labor force. Distribution and logistics also play an expanding role due to Birmingham’s central location within the Southeast and multimodal connectivity through major interstates, rail systems, and cargo networks, making the market well-positioned for supply-chain and e-commerce growth.
The city also functions as Alabama’s financial hub, home to Regions Financial Corporation and a concentration of insurance, corporate services, and business-support firms that bolster the region’s white-collar employment base. This sector, paired with steady job gains in healthcare and manufacturing, has supported healthy population growth, rising median wages, and a tightening labor market, with unemployment rates consistently tracking below national averages. Together, these industries provide Birmingham with a durable and expanding economic foundation, driven by institutional strength, corporate headquarters, diversified industry investment, and long-term workforce development that continues to attract companies, families, and skilled professionals throughout the Southeast.
