Industry that Employs Most People in Every U.S. County Mapped

This is an interactive map shows the Industry that Employs Most People in Each U.S. County. . Each hue represents the industry that employs most people. Hover over the map to see the county, state, total employed population, and detailed industry data. Zoom in for more detail. Scroll down for more information.

Common Industry

Industries that Employ Most People in the U.S.A.

The data for this map is from the American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau).

It has 5-year Estimates of Industry by Occupation for the Civilian Population.

This map reflects the industry that employs more people living in each county.

The employee data include full time, year round, over sixteen years old workers.

The industry that employs the most people in the United States is Healthcare with over 15 million employees.

Healthcare is followed by manufacturing with over 13 million employees.

The third industry with the most employees is retail with over 10 million employees.

There are 1346 counties where manufacturing is the predominant industry. There are 1007 counties where healthcare is the predominant industry, and there are 233 counties where Agriculture is the predominant industry.

Management is the industry that employes the least amount of people with only 177,270 employees.

Keep in mind that most revenue does not equate to most employees. So if for example you thought your county relies on oil. It might have the largest revenue, but it is not be the biggest employer.

U.S. Industries

The United States has a diverse and dynamic economy supported by several major industries that provide jobs to millions of people.

Some of the most significant employment sectors include:

Manufacturing

Although it has declined over the decades, manufacturing still employs millions, especially in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and food processing. These jobs range from assembly line work to engineering and quality control.

Each of these industries plays a vital role in the U.S. economy, offering a wide range of employment opportunities for people with varying skills and education levels. As the economy evolves, so too do the sectors that lead in job creation.

In the US Census, manufacturing includes establishments engaged in the mechanical, physical, or chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components into new products.

Manufacturing includes dairy products, tobacco, textiles, pulp and paper, electronic components/products, furniture, medical equipment, aircraft and parts, aerospace products and parts, household appliances, etc.

If you want to learn more about Manufacturing in the United States, Amazon has Made in the USA: The Rise and Retreat of American Manufacturing by (Mit Press). This book rebuts the notion that manufacturing is a relic of predigital history and that the loss of American manufacturing is a desirable evolutionary step toward a pure service economy.

Healthcare and Social Assistance

The healthcare industry is driven by an aging population and increasing demand for medical services.

Hospitals, nursing facilities, and outpatient clinics employ doctors, nurses, technicians, and support staff.

To learn more about Healthcare in the U.S., Amazon has The U.S. Healthcare Ecosystem: Payers, Providers, Producers. This thorough resource provides expert insight and analysis of employer-based health insurance, pharmacy benefits, the major professions, healthcare consolidation, drug discovery and development, biotechnology, and much more.

Retail Trade

Retail is another major employer, offering jobs in stores, supermarkets, and e-commerce operations.

From sales associates to warehouse staff and delivery drivers, the retail industry supports a wide range of roles, especially during peak shopping seasons.

Education Services

Public and private schools, colleges, and universities employ a large number of teachers, administrators, counselors, and support personnel.

The education sector is crucial not only for job creation but also for training the future workforce.

Professional and Business Services

This broad category includes legal services, consulting, accounting, advertising, and more. Many jobs in this sector require specialized skills and are often located in urban centers.

Information

With the rise of the digital economy, tech companies employ millions in software development, IT support, data analysis, and cybersecurity. This industry continues to grow rapidly and offers some of the highest-paying jobs.

Industry and Occupation

I want to clarify that recently I made a map of occupations.

Occupations describe the specific tasks and responsibilities of individual workers, while industries classify the type of activity or products/services of a business or organization.

Industry is the description of the kind of business of the respondent's employer. Occupation is the kind of work a person does at their job.

For example, an administrator can work for the Health industry or Accommodation Industry. One occupation two different industries.

List of Industries

Common	Industries	Other Industries
	Manufacturing	Administrative and support and waste management services
	Retail trade	Management of companies and enterprises
	Construction	Utilities
	Healthcare and social assistance	Wholesale trade
	Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting	Arts, entertainment and recreation
	Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction	Real estate and rental and leasing
	Public Administration	Information
	Accommodation and food services	Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
	Educational services	Healthcare Support Occupations
	Professional, Scientific, and technical services
	Other
	Finance and insurance
	Transportation and warehousing

The classification of "Other" Industry includes things like Freelance work that doesn’t match a listed industry, some types of consulting, unique startups, certain arts, entertainment, or custom services.