Department of Labor Logo United States Department of Labor
Dot gov

The .gov means it's official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Major industries with highest employment, by state, 1990-2015

August 05, 2016

In 1990, the manufacturing industry was the leading employer in most U.S. states, followed by retail trade. In 2003, retail trade was the leading employer in a majority of states. By 2015, health care and social assistance was the dominant industry in 33 states. This animated map shows the top industry in each state and the District of Columbia from 1990 to 2015.

Major industries with highest employment, by state |  
Play
Pause
<<
<
>
>>
 
Hover over a state to see information.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Major industries with highest employment, by state
State 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Alabama

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing

Alaska

Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Arizona

Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Arkansas

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

California

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Colorado

Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Connecticut

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Delaware

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

District of Columbia

Professional and technical services Professional and technical services Professional and technical services Professional and technical services Professional and technical services Professional and technical services Professional and technical services Professional and technical services Professional and technical services Professional and technical services Professional and technical services Professional and technical services Professional and technical services Professional and technical services Professional and technical services Professional and technical services Professional and technical services Professional and technical services Professional and technical services Professional and technical services Professional and technical services Professional and technical services Professional and technical services Professional and technical services Professional and technical services Professional and technical services

Florida

Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade

Georgia

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade

Hawaii

Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services

Idaho

Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Illinois

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Indiana

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing

Iowa

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing

Kansas

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Kentucky

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing

Louisiana

Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Maine

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Maryland

Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Massachusetts

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Michigan

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing

Minnesota

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Mississippi

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing

Missouri

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Montana

Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Nebraska

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Nevada

Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services

New Hampshire

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade

New Jersey

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

New Mexico

Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

New York

Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

North Carolina

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Retail trade

North Dakota

Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Ohio

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Oklahoma

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Oregon

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Pennsylvania

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Rhode Island

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

South Carolina

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade

South Dakota

Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Tennessee

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Texas

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Utah

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade

Vermont

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Virginia

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade

Washington

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

West Virginia

Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance

Wisconsin

Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing

Wyoming

Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services

 

Employment in manufacturing declined steadily over the 1990–2013 period. By the mid-1990s, retail trade had become the leading employer in a number of states, and health care and social assistance was emerging as the largest employer in a few. Health care and social assistance became the largest industry in New York in 1992, Texas in 2010, and California in 2013.

The largest increase in healthcare and social assistance employment in the states occurred in 2009, as retail trade, manufacturing, and other industries showed declines with the onset of the most recent recession. Manufacturing remained the top employer in Michigan until 2009, when it was replaced by health care and social assistance; in 2013, however, manufacturing returned as the largest employer in Michigan with 585,665 workers in 2015.

The accommodation and food services industry was the leading employer in Nevada and Hawaii throughout the 1990–2015 period, and professional, scientific, and technical services remained the top industry in the District of Columbia.

In 2015, retail trade remained the top employer in Florida, with 1,081,583 workers, closely followed by health care and social assistance at 1,038,516.

These data are from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages program. For industry employment and wage data at the national, state, county, and metropolitan area levels, access the data search tool or the QCEW Open Data Access.

SUGGESTED CITATION

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily, Major industries with highest employment, by state, 1990-2015 at https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2016/major-industries-with-highest-employment-by-state.htm (visited March 19, 2024).

OF INTEREST
spotlight
Recent editions of Spotlight on Statistics


triangle