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These industries provide the most jobs in every state

·Dom DiFurio

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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.

Swyft Filings

1 / 52

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.

JMcQ // Shutterstock

2 / 52

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.

Joseph Sohm // Shutterstock

3 / 52

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.

Page Light Studios // Shutterstock

4 / 52

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.

ZacCappsImages // Shutterstock

5 / 52

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.

Lux Blue // Shutterstock

6 / 52

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.

Page Light Studios // Shutterstock

7 / 52

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.

Ken Wolter // Shutterstock

8 / 52

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.

Khairil Azhar Junos // Shutterstock

9 / 52

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.

YES Market Media // Shutterstock

10 / 52

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.

Natalia Bratslavsky // Shutterstock

11 / 52

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.

Claudine Van Massenhove // Shutterstock

12 / 52

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.

Valphotog // Shutterstock

13 / 52

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.

wonderlustpicstravel // Shutterstock

14 / 52

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.

Lost Shoe Studios // Shutterstock

15 / 52

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.

David Papazian // Shutterstock

16 / 52

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.

Sabrina Janelle Gordon // Shutterstock

17 / 52

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.

John Penezic // Shutterstock

18 / 52

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.

Brandy McKnight // Shutterstock

19 / 52

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.

VW Pics // Getty Images

20 / 52

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.

Canva

21 / 52

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.

michusa // Shutterstock

22 / 52

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.

Darlene Stanley // Shutterstock

23 / 52

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.

Ken Wolter // Shutterstock

24 / 52

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.

Chad Robertson Media // Shutterstock

25 / 52

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.

APN Photography // Shutterstock

26 / 52

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.

EQRoy // Shutterstock

27 / 52

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.

Nicholas Stankus // Shutterstock

28 / 52

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.

randy andy // Shutterstock

29 / 52

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.

Jon Bilous // Shutterstock

30 / 52

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.

EQRoy // Shutterstock

31 / 52

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.

Canva

32 / 52

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.

Spiroview Inc // Shutterstock

33 / 52

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.

Felix Mizioznikov // Shutterstock

34 / 52

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.

CJ Cagney // Shutterstock

35 / 52

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.

JNix // Shutterstock

36 / 52

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.

Canva

37 / 52

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.

Dee Browning // Shutterstock

38 / 52

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.

George Sheldon // Shutterstock

39 / 52

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.

Boston Globe // Getty Images

40 / 52

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.

Chris Perello // Shutterstock

41 / 52

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.

GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

42 / 52

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.

Ayman Haykal // Shutterstock

43 / 52

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.

Austin Deppe // Shutterstock

44 / 52

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.

Jason Finn // Shutterstock

45 / 52

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.

Bob LoCicero // Shutterstock

46 / 52

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.

quiggyt4 // Shutterstock

47 / 52

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.

Ian Dewar Photography // Shutterstock

48 / 52

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.

Canva

49 / 52

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.

Canva

50 / 52

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.

Rajesh Vijayakumar // Shutterstock

51 / 52

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.

Canva

52 / 52

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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