NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Birmingham, AL

Metro Market Score 51.8 (Challenging), ranked #161 of 378 metros. 4,353 establishments, 58,267 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 51.8
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Challenging

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national retail trade average.

⚡Rising Wages

At #161 of 378 metros, Birmingham's retail trade sector scores 51.8 on the market index. Concentration (47.6), wage levels (67.2), and growth (73.3) all track close to the median. Local factors like lease costs and client access will matter more than macro signals.

Industry Concentration
47.6
LQ: 1.13
Rank #180 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
67.2
$39,682 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 73.3
Employment growth index
Rank #102 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
75.1
YoY wage change index

4,353 Retail Trade Firms in Birmingham

4,353
Establishments
+0.6% YoY
58,267
Total Employment
+0.7% YoY
$39,682
Average Annual Wage
+2.6% YoY
1.13
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Birmingham vs Alabama Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to Alabama overall. The state ranks #36/51 for entry risk.

Measure Birmingham AL Statewide
Overall Score 51.8 Challenging 46.4 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #161 of 378 metros #36 of 51 states

Metro and state scores use different methodologies (metro has 4 QCEW-based metrics; state adds BDS survival and momentum data). Direct score comparisons are approximate.

Other Industries in Birmingham

Accommodation and Food Services 43.8 Information 50.3 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 51.5 Construction 52.6 Other Services 66.8 Finance and Insurance 67.1

Retail Trade in Other Alabama Metros

Tuscaloosa 32.9 #14/378 Auburn-Opelika 35.6 #27/378 Decatur 37.0 #31/378 Gadsden 41.9 #55/378 Huntsville 44.8 #81/378 Montgomery 49.9 #137/378 Anniston-Oxford 52.9 #175/378 Mobile 54.9 #195/378 Florence-Muscle Shoals 61.9 #276/378 Daphne-Fairhope-Foley 62.9 #285/378

+ 1 more metros. View all in Alabama →

About Metro Market Score: A weighted composite of industry concentration (25%), wage competitiveness (25%), wage pressure (20%), and employment growth trend (30%). Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. For Birmingham's retail trade sector, the wage competitiveness component (67.2) has the strongest pull on the composite. Metro scores use QCEW data only (no BDS survival data at metro level). Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.