Here are the top 25 industries with the highest potential for job creation in 2024

During the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, the sudden halt in economic activity caused millions of jobs to vanish, leaving many families struggling. However, by 2022, the U.S. economy regained all the jobs lost in 2020 during the pandemic. And in 2023, there were 2.7 million new jobs, bringing job growth closer to its pre-pandemic path. This remarkable recovery surpassed pre-pandemic levels and also led to a significant drop in unemployment rates, reaching levels that haven’t been seen in years. The enduring spirit of the American people and their ability to overcome challenges is a testament to this achievement. Average weekly pay rose 4.1 percent in 2023 to $34.27 in December 2023.

To gain a better understanding of which industries have experienced the most growth in their workforce, we’ve analyzed initial data estimates. After careful consideration, we have identified the top 25 industries with the highest net job creation from December 2021 to December 2023. Net job creation considers new job openings and expansions, as well as job losses due to layoffs and closures. In our analysis, we’ve ranked industries based on the number of new jobs created over the past two years. We have considered a total of 75 different sectors for this analysis.

As society strives to return to a semblance of normalcy, it’s no surprise that the service industry, which includes food, lodging, and leisure, continues to be a significant source of job growth. This is hardly surprising, given that an astonishing four out of every five employees in the private sector work in this industry, according to the reputable Brookings Institution, a non-profit organization focused on public policy.

1. Food services and drinking places
   Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 2.3 million
   Total employment, January 2023: 12.2 million
2. Administrative and support services
   Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 800,500
   Total employment, January 2023: 9.2 million
3. Ambulatory healthcare services
   Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 546,000
   Total employment, January 2023: 8.3 million
4. Accommodation
   Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 528,700
   Total employment, January 2023: 1.9 million
5. Amusement, gambling, and recreation industries
   Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 434,500
   Total employment, January 2023: 1.7 million
6. Social assistance
   Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 407,300
   Total employment, January 2023: 4.4 million
7. Warehousing and storage
   Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 366,600
   Total employment, January 2023: 1.9 million
8. Specialty trade contractors
   Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 301,300
   Total employment, January 2023: 5.0 million
9. Merchant wholesalers, durable goods
   Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 263,600
   Total employment, January 2023: 3.3 million
10. Personal and laundry services
    Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 254,300
    Total employment, January 2023: 1.5 million
11. Performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries
    Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 202,300
    Total employment, January 2023: 516,700
12. Motion picture and sound recording industries
    Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 169,000
    Total employment, January 2023: 465,900
13. Transportation equipment manufacturing
    Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 162,200
    Total employment, January 2023: 1.8 million
14. Construction of buildings
    Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 160,600
    Total employment, January 2023: 1.8 million
15. Real estate
    Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 135,100
    Total employment, January 2023: 1.9 million
16. Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods
    Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 123,300
    Total employment, January 2023: 2.2 million
17. Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations
    Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 122,700
    Total employment, January 2023: 2.9 million
18. Truck transportation
    Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 121,500
    Total employment, January 2023: 1.6 million
19. Computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting, and related services
    Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 118,400
    Total employment, January 2023: 485,200
20. Publishing industries
    Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 115,700
    Total employment, January 2023: 952,600
21. Support activities for transportation
    Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 115,100
    Total employment, January 2023: 817,000
22. Repair and maintenance
    Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 113,000
    Total employment, January 2023: 1.4 million
23. Clothing, clothing accessories, shoe, and jewelry retailers
    Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 109,900
    Total employment, January 2023: 1.2 million
24. Insurance carriers and related activities
    Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 99,500
    Total employment, January 2023: 2.9 million
25. Air transportation
    Jobs gained, December 2021 to 2023: 98,500
    Total employment, January 2023: 526,600

Have you read?
The 21st Century’s Biggest Financial Frauds and Controversies.
The World’s Most Valuable Unicorns, 2023.
The World’s Top 10 Highest-Paid Wealth Management Executives.
Highest paid chief executive officers in the United States in 2022.
Highly-Paid Entertainment Chief Executives.
Highest paid health insurance CEOs.