Mobile Employment

Employment and Industries in the Mobile, Alabama Area

The major factors for Mobile's economy are medicine and research, retail trade, aerospace, construction and manufacturing. A variety of goods are produced in Mobile such as engines, aircraft, wood pulp and paper, chemicals, paint, aluminum, cement, pumps, rayon fibers and ship-related items. Some of the major sectors for employment are: trade, transportation and utilities; education, healthcare, manufacturing, government, professional and business services, construction and mining as well as leisure and hospitality.

The thriving Port of Mobile is very important to the economy. It's served by a vast number of steamship lines and includes two large ship repair companies and ship building firms such as Austal USA. Over 300 businesses are involved in the area's maritime industry. The Brookley Complex is a prominent trade and industrial center and is designated as a Foreign Trade Zone. The complex is home to over 100 companies including numerous aerospace firms. Mobile Aerospace Engineering, a subsidiary of Singapore Technologies Engineering, is one of the largest private employers in Mobile County.

Thyssen Krupp is building a state-of-the-art steel and stainless steel processing facility which is slated to begin operations in 2010 and employ about 2,700 people. Mobile is also home to numerous hi-tech and computer related businesses. The automotive industry also provides jobs. In addition, EADS North America provides a large number of engineering jobs involved with designing Airbus's long-range jets.

The median earnings in early 2009 was $30,000. The cost of living index in 2008 was 84.1 which is less than the nation's average of 100. Also, about 16% of the residents over the age of 25 have a bachelor's degree and approximately 10% have a graduate degree.

Alabama has created a progressive state business environment. The chamber of commerce reports that both state and local incentives are provided to help companies lower their initial capital costs. The city also helps companies develop a labor force. Long term taxes have also been reduced. Alabama's effective Industrial Development Training Program helps local companies in a variety of ways including training and providing employees. In Mobile, the Center for Workforce Development has been operating and helping businesses since the year 2000. One of the center's primary goals is to improve the quality of Mobile's workforce. Companies are attracted to Mobile due to the highly skilled workforce, good tax practices, power rates and transportation logistics.

Shown below are the major employers in non-manufacturing sectors in the Mobile area:

  • Mobile County School System
  • Mobile Infirmary Medical Center
  • Providence Hospital
  • University of South Alabama & USA Health System
  • Walmart
  • City of Mobile
  • Mobile County
  • Springhill Medical Center
  • Regions Bank

The largest manufacturers in Mobile:

  • ST Mobile Aerospace and Engineering - Aircraft, refurbishing
  • Austal USA - Ship building
  • Atlantic Marine Alabama - Ship repair
  • Bender Shipbuilding & Repair - Ship building and repair
  • Kimberly Clark - Paper products
  • Evonik Degussa - Chemicals
  • CPSI - Software
  • Teledyne Continental Motors - Aircraft piston engines
  • SSAB Alabama - Steel mill
  • Barnett Millworks - Wood products
  • Coca-Cola Bottling Company - Soft drinks
  • Olin - Chemicals
  • Masland Carpets - Carpet manufacturer
  • Gulf Lumber Company - Wood products
  • Shell Chemical LP/Shell Mobile site - Petroleum refining
  • Armstrong World Industries - Tile
  • Arkema - Chemicals
  • Tate & Lyle Sucralose - Sucralose
  • Holcim - Dry Cement

Mobile has received numerous rankings and favorable comments from prominent sources including:

  • Southern Business & Development - Ranked #7 in their best places list for locating companies in mid-markets
  • Southern Business & Development - Thyssen Krupp steel processing facility ranked #2 on the top 100 projects for jobs
  • Forbes.com - Ever since the Australian ship builder, Austal began operations in Mobile the area has bloomed as a manufacturing center
  • Site Selection - Recognized the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce as one of the top economic development groups.
  • Expansion Magazine - Included in their list of "America's Hottest Cities"
  • Entrepreneur.com - Ranked Mobile #1 on their list of "Hot Cities For Entrepreneurs"

Some of the major business related organizations associated with Mobile:

The Mobile Bay Business Journal Online provides current information regarding the business activities in the Mobile area.

Jobs in Mobile

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations175870$45,080$21.67100
2Office and Administrative Support Occupations24960$35,810$17.2213.75
3Sales and Related Occupations19160$37,150$17.869.5
4Transportation and Material Moving Occupations16550$33,400$16.066.7
5Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations16110$21,540$10.358.7
6Production Occupations14010$47,010$22.65.6
7Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations12530$71,320$34.295.85
8Construction and Extraction Occupations10420$44,290$21.34.6
9Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations10120$48,110$23.133.75
10Management Occupations7410$109,350$52.576.35
11Retail Salespersons6740$27,360$13.152.7
12Educational Instruction and Library Occupations6730$49,200$23.656
13Business and Financial Operations Occupations6490$64,940$31.225.35
14Healthcare Support Occupations6150$25,730$12.372.85
15Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations6040$23,650$11.373.6
16Fast Food and Counter Workers5450$19,280$9.272.45
17Registered Nurses5320$58,470$28.111.95
18Cashiers4680$20,500$9.862.2
19Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive4620$36,650$17.621.4
20Customer Service Representatives4370$34,210$16.451.75
21Protective Service Occupations3640$37,360$17.962.2
22Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners3550$22,570$10.851.5
23Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand3400$28,580$13.741.8
24Personal Care and Service Occupations3350$23,600$11.354.65
25Computer and Mathematical Occupations3310$75,040$36.083
26Architecture and Engineering Occupations3240$89,100$42.841.7
27Waiters and Waitresses3210$19,930$9.581.65
28General and Operations Managers3090$118,320$56.891.5
29Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers2610$39,320$18.91.2
30Office Clerks, General2490$25,810$12.411.9
31Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products2180$66,950$32.190.85
32First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers2090$53,910$25.920.95
33Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks2010$35,440$17.041.05
34Stockers and Order Fillers1950$26,360$12.671.25
35Electricians1900$47,870$23.010.45
36Nursing Assistants1880$23,580$11.340.95
37Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations1730$46,190$22.211.8
38Home Health and Personal Care Aides1700$20,500$9.860
39Community and Social Service Occupations1670$44,550$21.421.75
40Cooks, Restaurant1600$23,090$11.10.9
41Maintenance and Repair Workers, General1550$35,040$16.850.9
42First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers1510$30,960$14.890.6
43Receptionists and Information Clerks1500$26,100$12.550.7
44First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers1490$43,640$20.980.95
45Accountants and Auditors1440$68,890$33.120.9
46Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers1430$50,150$24.110.3
47Helpers--Production Workers1420$25,350$12.190.2
48Construction Laborers1390$33,740$16.220.9
49Light Truck Drivers1390$32,960$15.850.6
50First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers1340$65,290$31.390.4
51Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners1260$19,240$9.250.9
52Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters1190$48,700$23.410.3
53Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses1170$38,060$18.30.5
54Industrial Machinery Mechanics1130$61,760$29.690.2
55Security Guards1100$25,680$12.350.7
56First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers1040$73,000$35.10.4
57Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations1040$62,880$30.230.8
58Legal Occupations1020$79,600$38.270.8
59Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria990$22,390$10.770.3
60Medical Assistants970$27,840$13.390.45
61Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers960$44,680$21.480.4
62Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel960$54,970$26.430.7
63First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers950$65,480$31.480.3
64Food Preparation Workers930$20,730$9.960.5
65Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators930$34,720$16.690.4
66Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers860$44,220$21.260.2
67First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors840$51,010$24.520.3
68Computer User Support Specialists830$48,280$23.210.4
69Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers830$87,350$41.990.65
70Childcare Workers820$18,670$8.970.7
71Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment820$25,980$12.490.3
72Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators750$42,740$20.550.25
73Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators690$65,850$31.660.2
74Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers690$53,080$25.520.35
75Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics660$41,140$19.780.5
76Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers660$26,820$12.890.75
77Chemical Plant and System Operators650$73,260$35.220
78Recreation Workers600$22,010$10.580.3
79Tellers590$27,770$13.350.25
80Computer Programmers580$102,690$49.370.15
81Counter and Rental Clerks560$26,900$12.930.3
82Lawyers550$102,520$49.290.5
83Machinists550$51,270$24.650.2
84Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists540$47,680$22.930.2
85Industrial Engineers530$99,580$47.870.2
86Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers530$22,380$10.760.1
87Painters, Construction and Maintenance530$36,600$17.60.2
88Driver/Sales Workers510$39,010$18.750.3
89Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants500$32,930$15.830.4
90Buyers and Purchasing Agents490$64,000$30.770.25
91Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers480$58,920$28.320.1
92Civil Engineers470$93,050$44.730.2
93Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians470$47,220$22.70.2
94Insurance Sales Agents470$80,460$38.680.3
95Medical and Health Services Managers470$93,800$45.090.3
96Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other460$80,240$38.580.7
97Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers450$31,700$15.240.1
98Firefighters440$33,120$15.920.2
99Human Resources Specialists440$52,290$25.140.4
100Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks440$39,980$19.220.4
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Mobile Colleges
Mobile colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Mobile Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$45,080175,870
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$35,81024,960
Sales and Related Occupations$37,15019,160
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$33,40016,550
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$21,54016,110
Production Occupations$47,01014,010
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$71,32012,530
Construction and Extraction Occupations$44,29010,420
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$48,11010,120
Management Occupations$109,3507,410
Retail Salespersons$27,3606,740
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$49,2006,730
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$64,9406,490
Healthcare Support Occupations$25,7306,150
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$23,6506,040
Fast Food and Counter Workers$19,2805,450
Registered Nurses$58,4705,320
Cashiers$20,5004,680
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$36,6504,620
Customer Service Representatives$34,2104,370
Protective Service Occupations$37,3603,640
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$22,5703,550
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$28,5803,400
Personal Care and Service Occupations$23,6003,350
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$75,0403,310
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$89,1003,240
Waiters and Waitresses$19,9303,210
General and Operations Managers$118,3203,090
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$39,3202,610
Office Clerks, General$25,8102,490
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$66,9502,180
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$53,9102,090
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$35,4402,010
Stockers and Order Fillers$26,3601,950
Electricians$47,8701,900
Nursing Assistants$23,5801,880
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$46,1901,730
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$20,5001,700
Community and Social Service Occupations$44,5501,670
Cooks, Restaurant$23,0901,600
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$35,0401,550
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$30,9601,510
Receptionists and Information Clerks$26,1001,500
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$43,6401,490
Accountants and Auditors$68,8901,440
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$50,1501,430
Helpers--Production Workers$25,3501,420
Construction Laborers$33,7401,390
Light Truck Drivers$32,9601,390
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$65,2901,340

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Mobile, Alabama Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$45,080175,870
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$35,81024,960
Sales and Related Occupations$37,15019,160
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$33,40016,550
Production Occupations$47,01014,010
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$71,32012,530
Construction and Extraction Occupations$44,29010,420
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$48,11010,120
Management Occupations$109,3507,410
Retail Salespersons$27,3606,740
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$49,2006,730
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$64,9406,490
Healthcare Support Occupations$25,7306,150
Registered Nurses$58,4705,320
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$36,6504,620
Customer Service Representatives$34,2104,370
Protective Service Occupations$37,3603,640
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$28,5803,400
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$75,0403,310
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$89,1003,240
General and Operations Managers$118,3203,090
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$39,3202,610
Office Clerks, General$25,8102,490
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$66,9502,180
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$53,9102,090
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$35,4402,010
Stockers and Order Fillers$26,3601,950
Electricians$47,8701,900
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$46,1901,730
Community and Social Service Occupations$44,5501,670
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$35,0401,550
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$30,9601,510
Receptionists and Information Clerks$26,1001,500
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$43,6401,490
Accountants and Auditors$68,8901,440
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$50,1501,430
Helpers--Production Workers$25,3501,420
Construction Laborers$33,7401,390
Light Truck Drivers$32,9601,390
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$65,2901,340
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$48,7001,190
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$38,0601,170
Industrial Machinery Mechanics$61,7601,130
Security Guards$25,6801,100
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$73,0001,040
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$62,8801,040
Legal Occupations$79,6001,020
Medical Assistants$27,840970
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$44,680960
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$54,970960

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