In this article, we will look at the top 5 industries that are hiring right now. We have also discussed the state of US labor market in another article. If you are interested in reading about that along with a more extensive list, head straight to the Top 19 Industries That are Hiring Right Now.
5. Local and State, Excluding Education
Job Openings: 549,000
In November 2023, job openings in state and local government, excluding education, showed an increase, rising from 529,000 to 549,000 (Preliminary). This shift of 20,000 job openings reflected a 3.8% growth. The job opening rate also witnessed a marginal rise, progressing from 5.3% to 5.5%. The adjusted data suggested a modest improvement in employment opportunities within state and local government sectors.
4. Retail Trade
Job Openings: 592,000
The National Retail Federation (NRF) reports that the retail industry, as the largest private-sector employer in the US, supports over 52 million jobs, constituting more than one in four American jobs. With 4.2 million establishments, it contributes largely to the economy, generating a total GDP impact of $3.9 trillion. While the impact varies by state, this information is based on the PwC report, “The Economic Impact of the U.S. Retail Industry.”
Three most important companies in the US for retail trade are Walmart Inc, Home Depot Inc and Amazon.com, Inc. Walmart in Loganville is currently hiring for full-time in-store positions.
3. Accommodation and Food Services
Job Openings: 979,000
The food service and hospitality industry, particularly accommodation and food services, faces significant challenges in retaining workers, with quit rates consistently above 4.5% since July 2021. Despite continuous hiring, the industry lost 837 thousand workers in September 2023. Leisure and hospitality have maintained a hiring rate between 6% to nearly 19% since November 2020, exceeding the national average.
2. Professional and Business Services
Job Openings: 1,609,000
In the Professional and Business Services superindustry, employment for all employees stood at 22,946,000 in December 2023, with 18,116,000 in production and nonsupervisory roles. The unemployment rate was 3.9%, while job openings, hires, and separations numbered 1,482,000, 894,000, and 930,000, respectively. Union membership showed a modest increase, with 2.3% of wage and salary workers being members and 3.0% represented by unions in 2023. Dynamic changes in employment revealed gross job gains of 1,475,000 and gross job losses of 1,422,000 in the first quarter of 2023. Average hourly earnings rose to $41.29, and average weekly hours remained stable at 36.4.
1. Healthcare and Social Assistance
Job Openings: 1,713,000
The health care and social assistance industry, which includes ambulatory health care services, hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, and social assistance, plays a pertinent role in the US economy. As of December 2023, the industry employs over 21.8 million people, with an unemployment rate of 2.2%. Notably, job openings stand at 1.62 million, reflecting the industry’s continuous demand for skilled workers. Home health aides, with 3.4 million employees, highlight that a major portion of the workforce is dedicated to patient care. In terms of earnings, the average hourly wage across the industry is $33.86. It is the top industry hiring right now.
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