The COVID-19 pandemic radically altered the U.S. economy, with unemployment peaking at 14.7% in April 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). While jobs have been gaining since, millions of out-of-work Americans are still searching for jobs.
Before COVID-19 gutted the economy, the United States' economic landscape was rapidly changing, with health care, computer systems design, and scientific industries leading a push for more employment. On the flip side, industries like wired telecommunications, postal service, and textile production are showing a rapid decline. With the development of newer and more advanced technologies every day, the job landscape is shifting and so are the pay demands and prerequisite skills. There is a strong correlation between advanced education and a higher salary—workers with higher education levels have higher wages and lower unemployment rates. Of course, it should be noted that obstacles remain for universal access to quality higher education.
Stacker compiled a list of industries with the highest employment in Jacksonville, FL Metro Area using data from U.S. Census Bureau. Industries are ranked by number of employees as of 2019.
Keep reading to see which industries in Jacksonville are the surest bets for employment.
You may also like: Highest-rated campgrounds in the Jacksonville area by visitors
1 / 19
#19. Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Jacksonville, FL Metro Area
- Employed: 422 (0.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -41.4%
National
- Employed: 799,011
- Percent of total employment: 0.5%
- #19 most common industry nationwide
2 / 19
#18. Management of companies and enterprises
Jacksonville, FL Metro Area
- Employed: 1,012 (0.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +318.2%
National
- Employed: 232,031
- Percent of total employment: 0.1%
- #20 most common industry nationwide
3 / 19
#17. Utilities
Jacksonville, FL Metro Area
- Employed: 4,464 (0.6% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -2.2%
National
- Employed: 1,272,369
- Percent of total employment: 0.8%
- #18 most common industry nationwide
4 / 19
#16. Information
Jacksonville, FL Metro Area
- Employed: 10,311 (1.4% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -4.3%
National
- Employed: 2,959,616
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #16 most common industry nationwide
5 / 19
#15. Real estate and rental and leasing
6 / 19
#14. Arts, entertainment, and recreation
Jacksonville, FL Metro Area
- Employed: 15,783 (2.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +38.1%
National
- Employed: 3,532,697
- Percent of total employment: 2.2%
- #14 most common industry nationwide
7 / 19
#13. Wholesale trade
Jacksonville, FL Metro Area
- Employed: 18,859 (2.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +10.6%
National
- Employed: 4,013,368
- Percent of total employment: 2.5%
- #13 most common industry nationwide
8 / 19
#12. Public administration
Jacksonville, FL Metro Area
- Employed: 32,619 (4.4% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -7.3%
National
- Employed: 7,140,292
- Percent of total employment: 4.5%
- #11 most common industry nationwide
9 / 19
#11. Manufacturing
Jacksonville, FL Metro Area
- Employed: 38,287 (5.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +7.8%
National
- Employed: 15,770,698
- Percent of total employment: 9.9%
- #3 most common industry nationwide
10 / 19
#10. Administrative and support and waste management services
11 / 19
#9. Other services, except public administration
Jacksonville, FL Metro Area
- Employed: 38,857 (5.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +39.0%
National
- Employed: 7,584,054
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #9 most common industry nationwide
12 / 19
#8. Transportation and warehousing
Jacksonville, FL Metro Area
- Employed: 48,387 (6.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +34.6%
National
- Employed: 7,665,636
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #8 most common industry nationwide
13 / 19
#7. Construction
Jacksonville, FL Metro Area
- Employed: 53,404 (7.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +42.7%
National
- Employed: 11,036,894
- Percent of total employment: 7.0%
- #7 most common industry nationwide
14 / 19
#6. Educational services
Jacksonville, FL Metro Area
- Employed: 53,942 (7.3% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +17.0%
National
- Employed: 14,839,461
- Percent of total employment: 9.3%
- #4 most common industry nationwide
15 / 19
#5. Professional, scientific, and technical services
16 / 19
#4. Accommodation and food services
Jacksonville, FL Metro Area
- Employed: 60,303 (8.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +40.7%
National
- Employed: 11,801,878
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #5 most common industry nationwide
17 / 19
#3. Finance and insurance
Jacksonville, FL Metro Area
- Employed: 62,797 (8.4% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +21.6%
National
- Employed: 7,263,440
- Percent of total employment: 4.6%
- #10 most common industry nationwide
18 / 19
#2. Retail trade
Jacksonville, FL Metro Area
- Employed: 90,067 (12.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +14.4%
National
- Employed: 17,216,634
- Percent of total employment: 10.8%
- #2 most common industry nationwide
19 / 19
#1. Health care and social assistance
Jacksonville, FL Metro Area
- Employed: 102,978 (13.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +23.1%
National
- Employed: 22,131,751
- Percent of total employment: 13.9%
- #1 most common industry nationwide
