Job growth during the Trump administration
Jobs that have grown the most during the Trump administration
On the 2016 presidential campaign trail, then-candidate Donald Trump promised to bring back the country's manufacturing sector. He campaigned on tough trade policies to help U.S. workers, promising voters that workers in car plants would return to their jobs under his administration.
The president has also repeatedly proposed "Infrastructure Weeks" to revive the highways and bridges Americans use every day. With signs of "Trump Digs Coal" at his rallies, the president has repeatedly said his administration is putting coal miners back to work after years of anti-mining policies. So, more than two years into Trump's presidency, how has the outlook for U.S. jobs changed? Which jobs have experienced the most growth under President Trump?
Stacker analyzed data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to answer these questions and dig into why specific sectors are experiencing job growth, recent news related to various sectors, and relevant laws and regulations recently passed. American jobs were ranked by the highest percentage of job growth between December 2016 and January 2019. Growth starts with the lowest—at 5%—and continues along to the highest, a whopping 39.9% growth over two years.
Read on to see how jobs are being affected by the Trump administration, how courier and messenger work compares to in-home health care providers, and how temporary workers stack up against specialty construction jobs.
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#41. Management of companies and enterprises
- Job growth: 5.3%
- Super sector: professional and business services
- December 2016: 2.3 million jobs
- January 2019: 2.4 million jobs
People working in management jobs oversee the daily work of companies, making short- and long-term decisions about how the company will respond to the market. The leading type of job in the group is accounting and auditing.
#40. Temporary help services
- Job growth: 5.3%
- Super sector: professional and business services
- December 2016: 2.9 million jobs
- January 2019: 3.1 million jobs
Temporary help services is a category made up largely of contract workers, who are increasingly used by companies to cut costs. The rise of the “gig economy” has driven more people to take on these kinds of jobs, some even full time. Advancing technology that allows more people to telecommute to work is one factor driving this industry's growth.
#39. Air transportation
- Job growth: 5.3%
- Super sector: transportation and warehousing
- December 2016: 483,600 jobs
- January 2019: 509,300 jobs
Air transportation jobs can include pilots who fly passengers and cargo, as well as ground operations staff and cabin crew. The industry is expected to grow as air travel becomes more accessible and routine for Americans.
#38. Metal ore mining
- Job growth: 5.4%
- Super sector: mining and logging
- December 2016: 39,000 jobs
- January 2019: 41,100 jobs
Metal ore is a condensed ball of minerals, which requires a different type of mining than petroleum. These types of mining jobs have grown as the Trump administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have rolled back regulations on mining processes and locations.
#37. Emergency and other relief services
- Job growth: 5.5%
- Super sector: education and health services
- December 2016: 165,400 jobs
- January 2019: 174,500 jobs
Emergency relief services is a category that includes first responders, firefighters, and those who provide emergency medical services in hospitals. The health care industry continues to grow with the population, and as people live longer, they require more services. At the same time, natural disasters, such as last year's wildfires in California, are becoming more frequent and require a greater number of emergency responders.
#36. Motor vehicles and parts
- Job growth: 5.6%
- Super sector: durable goods
- December 2016: 952,900 jobs
- January 2019: 1.0 million jobs
These jobs include people selling cars on dealership floors, as well as individuals selling separate car parts at retail centers. Car sales were expected to decline in 2018 but did not, though declines are predicted again for 2019.
#35. Architectural and engineering services
- Job growth: 5.7%
- Super sector: professional and business services
- December 2016: 1.4 million jobs
- January 2019: 1.5 million jobs
These engineers work on infrastructure, green technology, and chemical development. The continual need to repair and replace infrastructure, as well the desire to develop environmentally friendly technology, drives growth in this job category.
#34. Child day care services
- Job growth: 5.7%
- Super sector: education and health services
- December 2016: 920,100 jobs
- January 2019: 972,700 jobs
Day care services usually involve care in a person's home or in larger, more corporate care facilities. The category continues to grow as the number of single parents or two-parent working families increases and parents are less likely to stay home during the work day to care for their children.
#33. Other support services
- Job growth: 5.7%
- Super sector: professional and business services
- December 2016: 314,300 jobs
- January 2019: 332,300 jobs
Support services is a category involving clerical work and cleaning services. The growth of computer-related support services, especially, is expected to continue climbing as companies upgrade their technology or expand operations.
#32. Support activities for transportation
- Job growth: 5.9%
- Super sector: transportation and warehousing
- December 2016: 681,800 jobs
January 2019: 721,900 jobs
Jobs in support activities for transportation can include vehicle towing and air traffic control. Jobs related to cargo transportation continue to grow as global markets expand and goods pass between national borders for production.
#31. Ambulatory health care services
- Job growth: 6.1%
- Super sector: education and health services
- December 2016: 7.2 million jobs
- January 2019: 7.6 million jobs
Workers who provide transportation to the hospital—and care on the way—fall under the ambulatory health care services umbrella. Similar to emergency services, this category continues to grow to meet the need of expanding communities and an aging population.
#30. Specialized design services
- Job growth: 6.3%
- Super sector: professional and business services
- December 2016: 139,400 jobs
- January 2019: 148,200 jobs
Specialized design services involve creating objects, from children's toys to home appliances. Demand for increasingly detailed and specific software designs pushes the category toward further growth.
#29. Electrical equipment and appliances
- Job growth: 6.5%
- Super sector: durable goods
- December 2016: 381,700 jobs
- January 2019: 406,700 jobs
Producers of light fixtures and light bulbs, as well as appliances, fit into this category. Like many manufacturing jobs, this category has seen an employee shortage at a time when the industry is growing due to President Donald Trump's decision to roll back regulations on manufacturing.
#28. Facilities support services
- Job growth: 6.6%
- Super sector: professional and business services
- December 2016: 146,500 jobs
- January 2019: 156,200 jobs
Facilities support services is a category made up mostly of janitorial staff and other building maintenance jobs. Workers in this category depend on the growth of the businesses that employ them and some may be employed as contractors at more than one company.
#27. Management and technical consulting services
- Job growth: 6.9%
- Super sector: professional and business services
- December 2016: 1.4 million jobs
- January 2019: 1.5 million jobs
Management consultants work as contractors to help businesses improve their output. The job has seen rapid growth, which is expected to continue, as businesses contract out work to save money.
#26. Miscellaneous nondurable goods manufacturing
- Job growth: 7.0%
- Super sector: nondurable goods
- December 2016: 286,100 jobs
- January 2019: 306,000 jobs
Nondurable goods include paper products, chemicals, and groceries. The job growth in this category mirrors other manufacturing growth trends and depends on domestic and international demand for specific products.
#25. Medical and diagnostic laboratories
- Job growth: 7.0%
- Super sector: education and health services
- December 2016: 269,400 jobs
- January 2019: 288,200 jobs
These technicians oversee work to screen for and prevent diseases. With the health care industry continuing to grow, demand for technicians related to that work can be expected to grow, too. These specific roles, however, tend to pay more than general medical positions so the demand is expected to be met.
#24. Machinery
- Job growth: 7.0%
- Super sector: durable goods
- December 2016: 1.1 million jobs
- January 2019: 1.1 million jobs
Creating machinery—stamping metal, forming frames, and assembly—is what this job category entails. The growth of machinery jobs is tied to the overall manufacturing industry, which continues to see growth under this administration. However, the industry remains unstable with the always-present potential for manufacturers to move jobs overseas to cut labor costs.
#23. Data processing, hosting, and related services
- Job growth: 7.0%
- Super sector: information
- December 2016: 312,200 jobs
- January 2019: 334,100 jobs
Data processing can include jobs related to transferring data from databases or reporting on data to help inform company decisions. With businesses wanting to capture, store, and analyze more data, these types of jobs are expected to continue growing.
#22. Real estate
- Job growth: 7.0%
- Super sector: financial activities
- December 2016: 1.6 million jobs
- January 2019: 1.7 million jobs
Real estate agents are involved in selling, buying, and renting properties. The strength of the market and job growth depends on the geographic location, and certain cities or states may be more desirable than others.
#21. Scientific research and development services
- Job growth: 7.2%
- Super sector: professional and business services
- December 2016: 663,900 jobs
- January 2019: 711,400 jobs
These types of research and development jobs involve developing technology and pharmaceutical products. The field continues to see growth as the population ages, requiring more medical or technological help to handle health issues.
#20. Computer systems design and related services
- Job growth: 7.2%
- Super sector: professional and business services
- December 2016: 2.0 million jobs
- January 2019: 2.2 million jobs
Employees in these design jobs work with companies in-house or as contractors to design computer systems that gather data or manage employee information. The length of work required for these jobs—which span creating, installing, and training people on the system—offer job security and expected job growth as the number of computer-run companies increases.
#19. Nonresidential building
- Job growth: 7.2%
- Super sector: construction
- December 2016: 770,300 jobs
- January 2019: 825,900 jobs
Nonresidential building construction crews work on schools, warehouses, and industrial complexes, among other structures. The field is the fastest-growing among construction jobs, though the industry overall has flattened.
#18. Residential specialty trade contractors
- Job growth: 7.9%
- Super sector: construction
- December 2016: 1.9 million jobs
- January 2019: 2.1 million jobs
Specialty trade contractors only have roles in the construction process, such as pouring concrete, painting, or installing plumbing. These specific jobs are some of the fastest-growing in the construction industry because they require specialized skills that are difficult to contract out to general construction companies.
#17. Amusements, gambling, and recreation
- Job growth: 8.1%
- Super sector: leisure and hospitality
- December 2016: 1.7 million jobs
- January 2019: 1.8 million jobs
Jobs at casinos, sports stadiums, arcades, and amusement parks all fall under this heading. This sector was one of the leading job creators in January 2019, as Americans spend more on leisure activities.
#16. Home health care services
- Job growth: 8.2%
- Super sector: education and health services
- December 2016: 1.4 million jobs
- January 2019: 1.5 million jobs
With more people living longer and wanting to remain in their homes as they age, the need for home health services continues to rise. These workers provide care, make house visits, and take medical readings, among other tasks. Jobs in this field are expected to grow by 41% by 2026.
#15. Museums, historical sites, and similar institutions
- Job growth: 8.3%
- Super sector: leisure and hospitality
- December 2016: 160,700 jobs
- January 2019: 174,000 jobs
Similar to the recreation sector, this job category includes various roles at national parks and historic sites. The number of jobs is expected to grow by 13% by 2026, as cheaper travel prices allow people to visit more distant places at lower prices.
#14. Nonresidential specialty trade contractors
- Job growth: 8.5%
- Super sector: construction
- December 2016: 2.4 million jobs
- January 2019: 2.6 million jobs
Like residential specialty contractors, nonresidential contractors can take on tasks such as pouring concrete, painting, or installing plumbing. The sector is expected to grow, much like its residential counterpart.
#13. Performing arts and spectator sports
- Job growth: 9.0%
- Super sector: leisure and hospitality
- December 2016: 470,900 jobs
- January 2019: 513,500 jobs
These employees may work at concerts and sporting events. This sector of jobs was one of the leading job creators in January 2019, as Americans spend more on leisure activities and can travel further distances for entertainment.
#12. Waste management and remediation services
- Job growth: 9.2%
- Super sector: professional and business services
- December 2016: 410,700 jobs
- January 2019: 448,400 jobs
People who haul away waste, run recovery facilities, and provide septic pumping work in this category. Despite recent gains, this sector is expected to grow at a rate below the national average in coming years.
#11. Offices of other health practitioners
- Job growth: 9.3%
- Super sector: education and health services
- December 2016: 874,700 jobs
- January 2019: 956,100 jobs
This sector of the health care field can include work at chiropractic offices, mental health facilities, and physical therapy centers. This field is expected to grow at a rate double the national average as more people seek out services because they are living longer.
#10. Individual and family services
- Job growth: 9.4%
- Super sector: education and health services
- December 2016: 2.3 million jobs
- January 2019: 2.5 million jobs
These kinds of services can include in-home care for people with disabilities. It may also involve counseling or disaster relief services to help families recover. There is often rapid turnover in this field, meaning there is consistent room for growth and opportunities for work.
#9. Outpatient care centers
- Job growth: 9.5%
- Super sector: education and health services
- December 2016: 873,100 jobs
- January 2019: 955,700 jobs
An outpatient care center offers medical treatment that does not require an overnight stay in a hospital. Like all health care-related jobs, the work in outpatient centers is expected to grow considerably.
#8. Other professional and technical services
- Job growth: 9.9%
- Super sector: professional and business services
- December 2016: 688,800 jobs
- January 2019: 757,300 jobs
These kinds of assistance services include a variety of jobs, from legal to administrative. Some positions are expected to continue growing as companies give more tasks to lower-level employees to save money.
#7. Nonmetallic mineral mining and quarrying
- Job growth: 10.4%
- Super sector: mining and logging
- December 2016: 92,500 jobs
- January 2019: 102,100 jobs
Nonmetallic mining means pulverizing the ground for various non-fuel minerals. President Trump's support for mining-related jobs, along with his rollback of environmental regulations, has helped boost jobs across the entire mining sector.
#6. Couriers and messengers
- Job growth: 11.8%
- Super sector: transportation and warehousing
- December 2016: 669,600 jobs
- January 2019: 748,700 jobs
Couriers and messengers deliver packages or pieces of information throughout cities and across the country. Delivery jobs grow more in demand closer to the holiday season, but services like Amazon have driven growth in the delivery sector as well.
#5. Residential building
- Job growth: 12.5%
- Super sector: construction
- December 2016: 742,300 jobs
- January 2019: 834,800 jobs
Residential building construction is driven by the greater demand for housing in or near urban centers. The outlook on these jobs is expected to be one of steady growth, especially as more millennials seek housing in close proximity to cities.
#4. Heavy and civil engineering construction
- Job growth: 13.9%
- Super sector: construction
- December 2016: 957,700 jobs
- January 2019: 1.1 million jobs
Heavy and civil engineering construction can mean creating highways, dams, and other large-scale projects. These jobs are heavily dependent on local budgets and market forces. President Trump has repeatedly called for “Infrastructure Week” to focus on building or maintaining the country's infrastructure, though it has turned into a running political joke.
#3. Other information services
- Job growth: 17.7%
- Super sector: information
- December 2016: 272,300 jobs
- January 2019: 320,500 jobs
Information services can include research positions and data management roles in companies of any size. Information technology and related jobs are expected to grow steadily as companies become more reliant on computers and digital storage.
#2. Warehousing and storage
- Job growth: 22.0%
- Super sector: transportation and warehousing
- December 2016: 973,300 jobs
- January 2019: 1.2 million jobs
Workers in this sector operate and provide storage facilities for merchandise and refrigerated goods. The sector is growing because of turnover and changing trade practices between countries that allow for more overseas trade.
#1. Support activities for mining
- Job growth: 39.9%
- Supersector: mining and logging
- December 2016: 262,000 jobs
- January 2019: 366,600 jobs
Support activity jobs can include surveying land for extraction, as well as performing geological tests to determine where to mine. The number of these jobs increases in tandem with mining jobs, which have seen steady growth under President Trump.
