These industries provide the most jobs in every state
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These industries provide the most jobs in every state
A vintage tram train.
By almost any measure, the U.S. economy has rapidly recovered jobs since roughly 8 million Americans were laid off in the spring of 2020.
Jobs bounced back throughout 2021 and much of 2022 in nearly all sectors, spurred by consumer demand for furniture, homes, appliances, and vehicles.
But in the latter half of 2022, consumers began shifting to spending more on services—the travel and live entertainment they had to forgo due to COVID-19. Hotels and others in the hospitality industry added more jobs in November than any other industry. Still, employers face an uphill battle finding talent willing to work for advertised jobs—and the hospitality industry continues to have more job openings than any other.
Swyft Filings used Bureau of Labor Statistics data to find the industries employing the most people in each state. Data available is preliminary for January 2023, excludes farm payrolls, and is seasonally adjusted.
The analysis also provides the percentage of total state employees within that industry sector and the percent change in employment from January 2022. States are listed in alphabetical order. Government employees only include the civilian labor force, excluding the military.
Keep reading to discover which industries provide the most jobs in every state.
Swyft Filings
The trade, transportation, and utilities industry leads in US employment
A map showing the top industry employer in each state.
The trade, transportation, and utilities sector are the dominant source of income for workers in most states. These are businesses like Target, Amazon, and other consumer goods-related companies operating in the retail or retail logistics and warehousing space. It also includes workers for utility companies like your local electricity provider.
All states saw employers expand headcounts between January 2022 and 2023 as the U.S. jobs recovery posted another gain of millions of jobs.
Among them is Nevada, the only state in the U.S. where leisure and hospitality workers represent the most significant workforce share. Nearly 1 in 4 workers in the state did so for a hospitality-related business in January. Hospitality was the hardest-hit industry in the pandemic as it suffered from consumers’ choice to switch spending to goods over experiences in the face of a global public health crisis.
Similarly, in Washington D.C., employment is concentrated in the government sector, which employs 30% of residents.
JMcQ // Shutterstock
Alabama
Train tracks in Courtland, Alabama.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 407,900
— Percent of total employment: 19%
— Annual percent change in employment: +1%
Joseph Sohm // Shutterstock
Alaska
The state capitol building in Alaska.
– Top industry: Government
– January 2023 employment: 77,200
— Percent of total employment: 24%
— Annual percent change in employment: -1%
Page Light Studios // Shutterstock
Arizona
Store fronts in Old Town Scottsdale, the historic part of town.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 603,900
— Percent of total employment: 19%
— Annual percent change in employment: +1%
ZacCappsImages // Shutterstock
Arkansas
The last working steam locomotive 4014 “Big Boy” as it came through Conway on November 15, 2019, with crowds standing around the train taking pictures.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 276,000
— Percent of total employment: 20%
— Annual percent change in employment: +4%
Lux Blue // Shutterstock
California
Power lines over a street.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 3,143,800
— Percent of total employment: 17%
— Annual percent change in employment: +1%
Page Light Studios // Shutterstock
Colorado
Store fronts in Fort Collins.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 501,300
— Percent of total employment: 17%
— Annual percent change in employment: +1%
Ken Wolter // Shutterstock
Connecticut
Campus banner on a lamp post at the University of Connecticut.
– Top industry: Education and health services
– January 2023 employment: 349,900
— Percent of total employment: 21%
— Annual percent change in employment: +4%
Khairil Azhar Junos // Shutterstock
Delaware
A steam locomotive in Wilmington.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 90,800
— Percent of total employment: 19%
— Annual percent change in employment: +4%
YES Market Media // Shutterstock
Florida
An electric service work truck in Pompano Beach.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 1,960,500
— Percent of total employment: 20%
— Annual percent change in employment: +4%
Natalia Bratslavsky // Shutterstock
Georgia
Ferry to the Historic District and waterfront of Savannah.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 1,020,800
— Percent of total employment: 21%
— Annual percent change in employment: +1%
Claudine Van Massenhove // Shutterstock
Hawaii
The Bronze Seal of State of Hawaii hanging from ceiling above entrance to State Capitol in Honolulu.
– Top industry: Leisure and hospitality
– January 2023 employment: 119,800
— Percent of total employment: 19%
— Annual percent change in employment: +12%
Valphotog // Shutterstock
Idaho
An electric car charging at a preferred parking charging station outside the Bown Crossing Library in Boise, Idaho.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 161,700
— Percent of total employment: 19%
— Annual percent change in employment: +1
wonderlustpicstravel // Shutterstock
Illinois
A train on elevated tracks in Chicago.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 1,222,200
— Percent of total employment: 20%
— Annual percent change in employment: +2%
Lost Shoe Studios // Shutterstock
Indiana
The water tower located at the Tippecanoe County Fair Grounds in Lafayette.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 637,700
— Percent of total employment: 20%
— Annual percent change in employment: +2%
David Papazian // Shutterstock
Iowa
The store front of Coneflower Creamery in Des Moines.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 312,400
— Percent of total employment: 20%
— Annual percent change in employment: +1%
Sabrina Janelle Gordon // Shutterstock
Kansas
An industrial building along the railroad tracks in Coffeyville.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 274,100
— Percent of total employment: 19%
— Annual percent change in employment: +1%
John Penezic // Shutterstock
Kentucky
Technicians working on restoring service at a high tension power line feeding southern Louisville.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 432,100
— Percent of total employment: 22%
— Annual percent change in employment: +3%
Brandy McKnight // Shutterstock
Louisiana
The Outlet Collection Riverwalk in New Orleans.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 371,500
— Percent of total employment: 19%
— Annual percent change in employment: 0%
VW Pics // Getty Images
Maine
A building at the University of Maine.
– Top industry: Education and health services
– January 2023 employment: 127,700
— Percent of total employment: 20%
— Annual percent change in employment: +3%
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Maryland
The Maryland State House.
– Top industry: Government
– January 2023 employment: 519,400
— Percent of total employment: 19%
— Annual percent change in employment: +3%
michusa // Shutterstock
Massachusetts
An entrance sign to Boston Children’s Hospital.
– Top industry: Education and health services
– January 2023 employment: 820,000
— Percent of total employment: 22%
— Annual percent change in employment: +2%
Darlene Stanley // Shutterstock
Michigan
Electric towers in Wixom.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 807,200
— Percent of total employment: 18%
— Annual percent change in employment: +1%
Ken Wolter // Shutterstock
Minnesota
An entrance sign and Wulling Hall on the campus of the University of Minnesota.
– Top industry: Education and health services
– January 2023 employment: 559,700
— Percent of total employment: 19%
— Annual percent change in employment: +3%
Chad Robertson Media // Shutterstock
Mississippi
Jackson Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport in Jackson.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 246,500
— Percent of total employment: 21%
— Annual percent change in employment: +2%
APN Photography // Shutterstock
Missouri
East Hills Mall in St. Joseph.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 556,700
— Percent of total employment: 19%
— Annual percent change in employment: +1%
EQRoy // Shutterstock
Montana
A plane at the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 99,900
— Percent of total employment: 19%
— Annual percent change in employment: +2%
Nicholas Stankus // Shutterstock
Nebraska
Power lines over a country road.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 197,400
— Percent of total employment: 19%
— Annual percent change in employment: +1%
randy andy // Shutterstock
Nevada
Hotels and casinos in Las Vegas at night.
– Top industry: Leisure and hospitality
– January 2023 employment: 354,900
— Percent of total employment: 23%
— Annual percent change in employment: +9%
Jon Bilous // Shutterstock
New Hampshire
Railroad tracks and distant mountains as seen in White Mountain National Forest.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 139,600
— Percent of total employment: 20%
— Annual percent change in employment: +2%
EQRoy // Shutterstock
New Jersey
The Washington Street Mall, a pedestrian shopping area in downtown Cape May.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 923,700
— Percent of total employment: 21%
— Annual percent change in employment: +3%
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New Mexico
The New Mexico State Capitol.
– Top industry: Government
– January 2023 employment: 182,800
— Percent of total employment: 21%
— Annual percent change in employment: +2%
Spiroview Inc // Shutterstock
New York
Mount Sinai St. Luke’s, a large hospital located near Columbia University in the north end of Manhattan.
– Top industry: Education and health services
– January 2023 employment: 2,194,600
— Percent of total employment: 23%
— Annual percent change in employment: +5%
Felix Mizioznikov // Shutterstock
North Carolina
The Fayetteville water tower in front of a light blue sky.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 922,800
— Percent of total employment: 19%
— Annual percent change in employment: +2%
CJ Cagney // Shutterstock
North Dakota
A bridge over the valley in Valley City.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 91,200
— Percent of total employment: 21%
— Annual percent change in employment: +1%
JNix // Shutterstock
Ohio
A natural gas oil well in Harrison County.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 1,051,100
— Percent of total employment: 19%
— Annual percent change in employment: 0%
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Oklahoma
The Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City.
– Top industry: Government
– January 2023 employment: 351,600
— Percent of total employment: 20%
— Annual percent change in employment: +1%
Dee Browning // Shutterstock
Oregon
A bike shop in Portland.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 369,100
— Percent of total employment: 19%
— Annual percent change in employment: +1%
George Sheldon // Shutterstock
Pennsylvania
School buses in Mohnton.
– Top industry: Education and health services
– January 2023 employment: 1,296,300
— Percent of total employment: 21%
— Annual percent change in employment: +5%
Boston Globe // Getty Images
Rhode Island
The exterior of Kent Hospital in Warwick.
– Top industry: Education and health services
– January 2023 employment: 105,000
— Percent of total employment: 21%
— Annual percent change in employment: +1%
Chris Perello // Shutterstock
South Carolina
A Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority vehicle in Myrtle Beach.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 439,500
— Percent of total employment: 19%
— Annual percent change in employment: +3%
GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock
South Dakota
Keystone’s main street, which is lined with various shops.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 90,900
— Percent of total employment: 20%
— Annual percent change in employment: +3%
Ayman Haykal // Shutterstock
Tennessee
The Main Street Trolley passes by Central Station in Memphis.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 688,100
— Percent of total employment: 21%
— Annual percent change in employment: +3%
Austin Deppe // Shutterstock
Texas
An airport in San Antonio.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 2,753,700
— Percent of total employment: 20%
— Annual percent change in employment: +4%
Jason Finn // Shutterstock
Utah
Power lines along Highway 68 near Utah Lake.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 315,800
— Percent of total employment: 19%
— Annual percent change in employment: +2%
Bob LoCicero // Shutterstock
Vermont
South Burlington High School.
– Top industry: Education and health services
– January 2023 employment: 62,100
— Percent of total employment: 20%
— Annual percent change in employment: +2%
quiggyt4 // Shutterstock
Virginia
Office towers in downtown Arlington.
– Top industry: Professional and business services
– January 2023 employment: 816,500
— Percent of total employment: 20%
— Annual percent change in employment: +3%
Ian Dewar Photography // Shutterstock
Washington
A BNSF intermodal freight train as darkness falls in Skykomish.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 618,900
— Percent of total employment: 17%
— Annual percent change in employment: +3%
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Washington DC
The Capitol Building in Washington D.C.
– Top industry: Government
– January 2023 employment: 233,800
— Percent of total employment: 30%
— Annual percent change in employment: -3%
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West Virginia
The Capitol Building in West Virginia.
– Top industry: Government
– January 2023 employment: 148,700
— Percent of total employment: 21%
— Annual percent change in employment: +0%
Rajesh Vijayakumar // Shutterstock
Wisconsin
A smiley face water tower in Eagle.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 551,200
— Percent of total employment: 18%
— Annual percent change in employment: +2%
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Wyoming
The Wyoming Capitol Building.
– Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
– January 2023 employment: 551,200
— Percent of total employment: 18%
— Annual percent change in employment: +2%
This story originally appeared on Swyft Filings and was produced and
distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
