Tuscaloosa Employment

Employment and Industries in the Tuscaloosa, Alabama Area

Tuscaloosa is the center for industry, commerce, education and healthcare for West Alabama. The University of Alabama is the dominant factor for the economy. Tuscaloosa is home to a Mercedes-Benz automotive assembly plant. The Tuscaloosa plants that provide the components to the Mercedes-Benz facility also are significant factors for the economy. Tuscaloosa has attracted companies from countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Canada and the United Kingdom.

About 25% of the workforce is employed by local, state and federal government agencies. Approximately 16% are employed in the manufacturing sector. The diversified manufacturing sector includes industries such as automotive, plastic injection molding, electronics, wood products, steel, food items and chemicals. About 11% of Tuscaloosa's workers are employed in the arts, entertainment, accommodation, recreation and food services industries. Approximately one-fifth of the jobs are in retail and wholesale trade. Healthcare jobs are provided by the DCH Regional Medical Center, Bryce Hospital and the VA Medical Center.

Notable information regarding Tuscaloosa: The Tuscaloosa-Birmingham corridor is consistently ranked in the top 20 markets in the nation for entrepreneurial success. For the population over the age of 25, about 31% have a bachelor's degree or higher. The cost of living index was 90.1 in 2008 and the nations's average is 100. The average earnings in early 2009 was $32,000.

Tuscaloosa's industrial base includes:

  • Mercedes-Benz U.S. International - Vehicles
  • JVC America - CDs/magnetic tape
  • Nucor Steel
  • Elk Corporation of America - Asphalt, shingles
  • BF Goodrich Tire Manufacturing - Tires
  • Phifer Wire Products
  • Gulf States Paper Corporation
  • Johnson Controls - Automotive components
  • ZF Industries - Automotive axle systems
  • Radicispandex
  • Ai3 - Parts sequencing for MBUSI
  • Coral Industries - Bathroom fixtures
  • Delphi Automotive Systems - Automotive cockpit assemblies

Shown below is a list of the top employers in Tuscaloosa:

  • The University of Alabama - Higher education
  • DCH Regional Medical Center - Medical services
  • Mercedes-Benz U.S. International - Vehicles
  • Tuscaloosa County Board of Education - Public education
  • BF Goodrich Tire Manufacturing - Tires
  • Phifer Wire Products - Aluminum/fiberglass screening
  • Jim Walter Resources - Coal mining
  • City Board of Education - Public education
  • Northport Medical Center - Medical services
  • City of Tuscaloosa - Local government services
  • Community Srv Programs of W Alabama Inc
  • Bunn Bros Materials
  • Tuscaloosa Housing Authority
  • Pritchett-Moore
  • Pine Valley LLC

Helpful business organizations for Tuscaloosa companies:

The Tuscaloosa News provides information about the current business activities in the Tuscaloosa area.

Jobs in Tuscaloosa

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations106200$43,310$20.82100
2Production Occupations15610$39,440$18.965.6
3Office and Administrative Support Occupations11810$35,740$17.1913.75
4Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations10720$21,410$10.298.7
5Sales and Related Occupations9240$31,780$15.289.5
6Transportation and Material Moving Occupations8830$32,460$15.616.7
7Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations6960$65,340$31.415.85
8Educational Instruction and Library Occupations6210$63,910$30.736
9Construction and Extraction Occupations5550$45,660$21.954.6
10Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations5550$46,880$22.543.75
11Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators4970$46,200$22.210.8
12Healthcare Support Occupations4610$25,600$12.312.85
13Management Occupations3960$100,820$48.476.35
14Cashiers3620$20,600$9.92.2
15Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations3270$28,420$13.663.6
16Fast Food and Counter Workers3230$19,420$9.342.45
17Registered Nurses2840$59,190$28.461.95
18Business and Financial Operations Occupations2770$68,390$32.885.35
19Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand2340$30,180$14.511.8
20Retail Salespersons2310$28,340$13.632.7
21Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive2310$35,750$17.191.4
22Protective Service Occupations2290$45,370$21.812.2
23Waiters and Waitresses2090$18,750$9.011.65
24Personal Care and Service Occupations1810$26,530$12.764.65
25Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners1720$27,800$13.371.5
26Architecture and Engineering Occupations1600$81,770$39.311.7
27Computer and Mathematical Occupations1560$74,490$35.813
28Community and Social Service Occupations1530$39,740$19.111.75
29Office Clerks, General1480$25,950$12.481.9
30Nursing Assistants1420$25,460$12.240.95
31Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers1390$44,920$21.591.2
32General and Operations Managers1250$110,390$53.071.5
33Industrial Machinery Mechanics1180$59,350$28.530.2
34Stockers and Order Fillers1160$24,880$11.961.25
35Customer Service Representatives1150$32,150$15.461.75
36Cooks, Restaurant1140$21,450$10.310.9
37Food Preparation Workers1130$21,480$10.330.5
38Home Health and Personal Care Aides1090$19,260$9.260
39Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations1070$48,560$23.341.8
40First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers1070$51,700$24.860.95
41Maintenance and Repair Workers, General1050$32,490$15.620.9
42First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers1040$32,920$15.830.6
43Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses980$38,510$18.510.5
44Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks970$36,500$17.551.05
45First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers960$41,310$19.860.95
46Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators960$35,040$16.840.4
47Helpers--Production Workers910$27,570$13.260.2
48Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity840$18,810$9.040.3
49Construction Laborers800$30,130$14.490.9
50First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers800$61,510$29.570.4
51Accountants and Auditors780$69,580$33.450.9
52Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers780$42,910$20.630.35
53First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers770$71,640$34.440.4
54Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products700$61,840$29.730.85
55Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers670$29,940$14.390.75
56Computer User Support Specialists650$63,020$30.30.4
57Receptionists and Information Clerks640$26,420$12.70.7
58Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations620$64,460$30.990.8
59Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners580$20,990$10.090.9
60Electricians520$52,110$25.050.45
61Industrial Engineers520$91,270$43.880.2
62Residential Advisors520$26,160$12.580.1
63First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers500$67,210$32.310.3
64Security Guards500$34,620$16.640.7
65Counter and Rental Clerks490$28,090$13.50.3
66Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks490$36,930$17.750.4
67Light Truck Drivers470$36,830$17.70.6
68Tellers470$27,650$13.290.25
69Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood450$27,100$13.030
70Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators440$43,520$20.920.25
71Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel430$51,630$24.820.7
72Firefighters420$49,670$23.880.2
73Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters420$47,340$22.760.3
74Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria400$24,950$120.3
75Education Administrators, Postsecondary390$123,620$59.430.1
76Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics370$40,100$19.280.5
77Bartenders370$19,050$9.160.4
78Legal Occupations370$75,780$36.430.8
79Cooks, Fast Food340$19,180$9.220.3
80Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers340$41,910$20.150.2
81Driver/Sales Workers330$29,020$13.950.3
82Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors320$47,080$22.640.2
83Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants320$34,700$16.680.4
84Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers320$46,620$22.410.3
85Dishwashers310$19,840$9.540.3
86Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers310$34,350$16.510.1
87Pharmacy Technicians310$30,910$14.860.3
88Childcare Workers300$20,570$9.890.7
89Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment300$23,040$11.080.3
90Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic300$32,510$15.630.1
91First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors300$50,840$24.440.3
92Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations290$34,020$16.360.65
93Correctional Officers and Jailers280$43,850$21.080.25
94Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks280$20,100$9.670.15
95Carpenters270$46,080$22.160.6
96Human Resources Specialists270$60,580$29.120.4
97Medical Assistants270$27,770$13.350.45
98Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric260$206,990$99.510.3
99Postal Service Mail Carriers260$50,000$24.040.2
100Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders250$41,460$19.930
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Tuscaloosa Colleges
Tuscaloosa colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Tuscaloosa Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$43,310106,200
Production Occupations$39,44015,610
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$35,74011,810
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$21,41010,720
Sales and Related Occupations$31,7809,240
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$32,4608,830
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$65,3406,960
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$63,9106,210
Construction and Extraction Occupations$45,6605,550
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$46,8805,550
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$46,2004,970
Healthcare Support Occupations$25,6004,610
Management Occupations$100,8203,960
Cashiers$20,6003,620
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$28,4203,270
Fast Food and Counter Workers$19,4203,230
Registered Nurses$59,1902,840
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$68,3902,770
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$30,1802,340
Retail Salespersons$28,3402,310
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$35,7502,310
Protective Service Occupations$45,3702,290
Waiters and Waitresses$18,7502,090
Personal Care and Service Occupations$26,5301,810
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$27,8001,720
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$81,7701,600
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$74,4901,560
Community and Social Service Occupations$39,7401,530
Office Clerks, General$25,9501,480
Nursing Assistants$25,4601,420
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$44,9201,390
General and Operations Managers$110,3901,250
Industrial Machinery Mechanics$59,3501,180
Stockers and Order Fillers$24,8801,160
Customer Service Representatives$32,1501,150
Cooks, Restaurant$21,4501,140
Food Preparation Workers$21,4801,130
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$19,2601,090
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$48,5601,070
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$51,7001,070
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$32,4901,050
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$32,9201,040
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$38,510980
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$36,500970
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$41,310960
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$35,040960
Helpers--Production Workers$27,570910
Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$18,810840
Construction Laborers$30,130800
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$61,510800

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

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$43,310106,200
Production Occupations$39,44015,610
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$35,74011,810
Sales and Related Occupations$31,7809,240
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$32,4608,830
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$65,3406,960
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$63,9106,210
Construction and Extraction Occupations$45,6605,550
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$46,8805,550
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$46,2004,970
Healthcare Support Occupations$25,6004,610
Management Occupations$100,8203,960
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$28,4203,270
Registered Nurses$59,1902,840
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$68,3902,770
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$30,1802,340
Retail Salespersons$28,3402,310
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$35,7502,310
Protective Service Occupations$45,3702,290
Personal Care and Service Occupations$26,5301,810
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$27,8001,720
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$81,7701,600
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$74,4901,560
Community and Social Service Occupations$39,7401,530
Office Clerks, General$25,9501,480
Nursing Assistants$25,4601,420
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$44,9201,390
General and Operations Managers$110,3901,250
Industrial Machinery Mechanics$59,3501,180
Customer Service Representatives$32,1501,150
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$48,5601,070
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$51,7001,070
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$32,4901,050
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$32,9201,040
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$38,510980
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$36,500970
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$41,310960
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$35,040960
Helpers--Production Workers$27,570910
Construction Laborers$30,130800
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$61,510800
Accountants and Auditors$69,580780
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$42,910780
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$71,640770
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$61,840700
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$29,940670
Computer User Support Specialists$63,020650
Receptionists and Information Clerks$26,420640
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$64,460620
Electricians$52,110520

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