Hispanics and Latinos in industries and occupations

October 09, 2015

Since 1968 Americans have recognized September 15 to October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month. Each year, we celebrate the history and culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans and their contributions to society. In 2014, Hispanics and Latinos accounted for 16.1 percent of the 146.3 million employed people in the United States.  

Among major industries, 27.3 percent of workers in construction were of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity in 2014. Other industries with high concentrations of Hispanics and Latinos include agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting (23.1 percent) and leisure and hospitality (22.3 percent). Hispanics had the lowest share of employment in public administration (11.4 percent), financial activities (11.3 percent), and information (10.5 percent).

Among occupational groups in 2014, 43.4 percent of workers in farming, fishing, and forestry were Hispanic or Latino. Other occupations with high shares of Hispanics or Latinos were building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (36.7 percent) and construction and extraction occupations (32.3 percent). Hispanics or Latinos were least likely to work in life, physical, and social science occupations (7.5 percent) and in computer and mathematical occupations (6.6 percent).  

These data are from the Current Population Survey. For more information on people of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, see Race and Hispanic or Latino Ethnicity Tables and Overview of BLS Demographic Data.