An Analysis of Communication-Related Occupations in Alabama

Nine communication-related occupations in Alabama are analyzed in terms of employment, wages, and location for 2007 and 2012. The communication occupations examined are public relations managers, post-secondary communication teachers, radio and television announcers, broadcast news analysts, reporters and correspondents, public relations specialists, editors, technical writers, and writers and authors. Employment analysis found employment in the field declined 9 percent in Alabama over the study period, three metropolitan areas account for 54 percent of employment, and technical writers are the fastest growing occupation. Wage analysis found Alabama wages 55 to 86 percent of the national average, with Huntsville having the highest and fastest growing wages. Location analysis found technical writers and broadcast news analysts the dominant communication occupations in the state. An economic base analysis found that the 6,090 Alabama-based communication jobs produced total annual wages of $299 million in 2012, of which 583 job are in excess of local needs generating $23 million in additional wages.