Birmingham, Alabama, has several unique nicknames, including "The Magic City" and "The Pittsburgh of the South." Historically, the city's economy revolved around the mining of natural resources such as steel and iron.
While the extraction of natural resources in the area still plays a vital role in the economy, Birmingham now relies heavily on several different industries.
Top Industries and Employers in Birmingham
For those looking to attend one of the many technical schools in Birmingham, it's vital to point out that there are many industries worth investigating outside of the extraction of natural resources. In fact, some of the fastest-growing industries include:
- Trade
- Finance
- Government
- Research
- Healthcare
- Culture/Entertainment
While some of the industries listed above are worth looking into if you are searching for a trade school in Birmingham, it's also worth investigating the most sought after vocational careers in the area as well. These careers can be found in the following industries:
- Steel
- Financial Services
- Telecommunications
- Professional Services
- Skilled Trades
- Scientific Services
- Technical Services
- Mining/Quarrying
- Gas & Oil Extraction
With telecommunications and energy still playing a significant role in the Birmingham economy, it comes as no surprise that they would be represented in the list of Birmingham's top employers:
- BellSouth Telephone Company
- Alabama Power Company
- ENERGEN Corporation
- CONAT
Why Is Birmingham Good for Trade and Vocational Students?
Luckily, if you're looking to attend a vocational school in the Birmingham area, there are plenty of options in the surrounding area to help you find a program or degree that suits your specific needs. Depending on what industry you are looking to enter, here are a few trade schools worth investigating:
- Fortis - the Birmingham campus offers programs in medical/dental assisting, medical billing & coding as well as HVAC
- Lawson State Community College - this institution offers a variety of programs, including Manufacturing technology, construction, automotive and more
- Southeastern School of Cosmetology/ Empire Beauty - Southeastern School of Cosmetology is now a part of the nationally known Empire Beauty school and offers an excellent program for those looking to enter the cosmetology field.
Learn More about Birmingham
Demographics | Total Population | 212,021 |
Education and Earnings | # Enrolled in College | 14,367 |
Median Earnings Without High School Degree | $18,405 | |
Median Earnings With High School Degree | $22,952 | |
Median Earnings With Associate Degree | $26,274 |
Commute | Average Commute Time | 22 minutes |
% Commutes by Walking | 2.8% | |
% Commutes by Bicycle | 0.3% | |
% Commutes by Public Transportation | 2.3% |
Housing | Median Housing Cost | $788 |
Median Gross Rent | $797 | |
Median House Value | $89,200 |