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Business & Economy
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These industries provide the most jobs in every state

Written by:
Dom DiFurio
April 11, 2023
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This story originally appeared on Swyft Filings and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

These industries provide the most jobs in every state

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.

A map showing the top industry employer in each state.
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Swyft Filings

The trade, transportation, and utilities industry leads in US employment

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.

Train tracks in Courtland, Alabama.
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JMcQ // Shutterstock

Alabama

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 407,900
--- Percent of total employment: 19%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +1%

The state capitol building in Alaska.
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Joseph Sohm // Shutterstock

Alaska

- Top industry: Government
- January 2023 employment: 77,200
--- Percent of total employment: 24%
--- Annual percent change in employment: -1%

Store fronts in Old Town Scottsdale, the historic part of town.
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Page Light Studios // Shutterstock

Arizona

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 603,900
--- Percent of total employment: 19%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +1%

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.
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ZacCappsImages // Shutterstock

Arkansas

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 276,000
--- Percent of total employment: 20%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +4%

Power lines over a street.
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Lux Blue // Shutterstock

California

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 3,143,800
--- Percent of total employment: 17%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +1%

Store fronts in Fort Collins.
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Page Light Studios // Shutterstock

Colorado

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 501,300
--- Percent of total employment: 17%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +1%

Campus banner on a lamp post at the University of Connecticut.
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Ken Wolter // Shutterstock

Connecticut

- Top industry: Education and health services
- January 2023 employment: 349,900
--- Percent of total employment: 21%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +4%

A steam locomotive in Wilmington.
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Khairil Azhar Junos // Shutterstock

Delaware

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 90,800
--- Percent of total employment: 19%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +4%

An electric service work truck in Pompano Beach.
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YES Market Media // Shutterstock

Florida

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 1,960,500
--- Percent of total employment: 20%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +4%

Ferry to the Historic District and waterfront of Savannah.
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Natalia Bratslavsky // Shutterstock

Georgia

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 1,020,800
--- Percent of total employment: 21%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +1%
 

The Bronze Seal of State of Hawaii hanging from ceiling above entrance to State Capitol in Honolulu.
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Claudine Van Massenhove // Shutterstock

Hawaii

- Top industry: Leisure and hospitality
- January 2023 employment: 119,800
--- Percent of total employment: 19%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +12%

An electric car charging at a preferred parking charging station outside the Bown Crossing Library in Boise, Idaho.
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Valphotog // Shutterstock

Idaho

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 161,700
--- Percent of total employment: 19%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +1

A train on elevated tracks in Chicago.
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wonderlustpicstravel // Shutterstock

Illinois

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 1,222,200
--- Percent of total employment: 20%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +2%

The water tower located at the Tippecanoe County Fair Grounds in Lafayette.
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Lost Shoe Studios // Shutterstock

Indiana

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 637,700
--- Percent of total employment: 20%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +2%

The store front of Coneflower Creamery in Des Moines.
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David Papazian // Shutterstock

Iowa

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 312,400
--- Percent of total employment: 20%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +1%

An industrial building along the railroad tracks in Coffeyville.
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Sabrina Janelle Gordon // Shutterstock

Kansas

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 274,100
--- Percent of total employment: 19%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +1%

Technicians working on restoring service at a high tension power line feeding southern Louisville.
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John Penezic // Shutterstock

Kentucky

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 432,100
--- Percent of total employment: 22%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +3%

The Outlet Collection Riverwalk in New Orleans.
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Brandy McKnight // Shutterstock

Louisiana

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 371,500
--- Percent of total employment: 19%
--- Annual percent change in employment: 0%

A building at the University of Maine.
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VW Pics // Getty Images

Maine

- Top industry: Education and health services
- January 2023 employment: 127,700
--- Percent of total employment: 20%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +3%

The Maryland State House.
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Canva

Maryland

- Top industry: Government
- January 2023 employment: 519,400
--- Percent of total employment: 19%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +3%

An entrance sign to Boston Children's Hospital.
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michusa // Shutterstock

Massachusetts

- Top industry: Education and health services
- January 2023 employment: 820,000
--- Percent of total employment: 22%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +2%

Electric towers in Wixom.
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Darlene Stanley // Shutterstock

Michigan

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 807,200
--- Percent of total employment: 18%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +1%

An entrance sign and Wulling Hall on the campus of the University of Minnesota.
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Ken Wolter // Shutterstock

Minnesota

- Top industry: Education and health services
- January 2023 employment: 559,700
--- Percent of total employment: 19%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +3%

Jackson Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport in Jackson.
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Chad Robertson Media // Shutterstock

Mississippi

- 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%
 

East Hills Mall in St. Joseph.
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APN Photography // Shutterstock

Missouri

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 556,700
--- Percent of total employment: 19%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +1%

A plane at the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport.
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EQRoy // Shutterstock

Montana

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 99,900
--- Percent of total employment: 19%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +2%

Power lines over a country road.
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Nicholas Stankus // Shutterstock

Nebraska

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 197,400
--- Percent of total employment: 19%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +1%

Hotels and casinos in Las Vegas at night.
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randy andy // Shutterstock

Nevada

- Top industry: Leisure and hospitality
- January 2023 employment: 354,900
--- Percent of total employment: 23%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +9%

Railroad tracks and distant mountains as seen in White Mountain National Forest.
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Jon Bilous // Shutterstock

New Hampshire

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 139,600
--- Percent of total employment: 20%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +2%

The Washington Street Mall, a pedestrian shopping area in downtown Cape May.
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EQRoy // Shutterstock

New Jersey

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 923,700
--- Percent of total employment: 21%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +3%

The New Mexico State Capitol.
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Canva

New Mexico

- Top industry: Government
- January 2023 employment: 182,800
--- Percent of total employment: 21%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +2%

Mount Sinai St. Luke's, a large hospital located near Columbia University in the north end of Manhattan.
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Spiroview Inc // Shutterstock

New York

- Top industry: Education and health services
- January 2023 employment: 2,194,600
--- Percent of total employment: 23%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +5%

The Fayetteville water tower in front of a light blue sky.
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Felix Mizioznikov // Shutterstock

North Carolina

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 922,800
--- Percent of total employment: 19%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +2%

A bridge over the valley in Valley City.
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CJ Cagney // Shutterstock

North Dakota

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 91,200
--- Percent of total employment: 21%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +1%

A natural gas oil well in Harrison County.
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JNix // Shutterstock

Ohio

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 1,051,100
--- Percent of total employment: 19%
--- Annual percent change in employment: 0%

The Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City.
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Canva

Oklahoma

- Top industry: Government
- January 2023 employment: 351,600
--- Percent of total employment: 20%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +1%

A bike shop in Portland.
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Dee Browning // Shutterstock

Oregon

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 369,100
--- Percent of total employment: 19%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +1%

School buses in Mohnton.
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George Sheldon // Shutterstock

Pennsylvania

- Top industry: Education and health services
- January 2023 employment: 1,296,300
--- Percent of total employment: 21%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +5%

The exterior of Kent Hospital in Warwick.
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Boston Globe // Getty Images

Rhode Island

- Top industry: Education and health services
- January 2023 employment: 105,000
--- Percent of total employment: 21%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +1%

A Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority vehicle in Myrtle Beach.
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Chris Perello // Shutterstock

South Carolina

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 439,500
--- Percent of total employment: 19%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +3%

Keystone's main street, which is lined with various shops.
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GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

South Dakota

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 90,900
--- Percent of total employment: 20%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +3%

The Main Street Trolley passes by Central Station in Memphis.
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Ayman Haykal // Shutterstock

Tennessee

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 688,100
--- Percent of total employment: 21%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +3%

An airport in San Antonio.
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Austin Deppe // Shutterstock

Texas

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 2,753,700
--- Percent of total employment: 20%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +4%

Power lines along Highway 68 near Utah Lake.
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Jason Finn // Shutterstock

Utah

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 315,800
--- Percent of total employment: 19%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +2%

South Burlington High School.
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Bob LoCicero // Shutterstock

Vermont

- Top industry: Education and health services
- January 2023 employment: 62,100
--- Percent of total employment: 20%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +2%

Office towers in downtown Arlington.
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quiggyt4 // Shutterstock

Virginia

- Top industry: Professional and business services
- January 2023 employment: 816,500
--- Percent of total employment: 20%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +3%

A BNSF intermodal freight train as darkness falls in Skykomish.
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Ian Dewar Photography // Shutterstock

Washington

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 618,900
--- Percent of total employment: 17%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +3%

The Capitol Building in Washington D.C.
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Canva

Washington DC

- Top industry: Government
- January 2023 employment: 233,800
--- Percent of total employment: 30%
--- Annual percent change in employment: -3%

The Capitol Building in West Virginia.
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Canva

West Virginia

- Top industry: Government
- January 2023 employment: 148,700
--- Percent of total employment: 21%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +0%

A smiley face water tower in Eagle.
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Rajesh Vijayakumar // Shutterstock

Wisconsin

- Top industry: Trade, transportation, and utilities
- January 2023 employment: 551,200
--- Percent of total employment: 18%
--- Annual percent change in employment: +2%

The Wyoming Capitol Building.
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Canva

Wyoming

- 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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