Largest Employer by State
In the United States, the employment landscape varies significantly from state to state, with different industries and sectors dominating each region’s workforce. Understanding who the largest employers are in each state provides valuable insights into the economic and employment dynamics across the country.
Who is the Largest Employer in the US?
The largest employer in the United States is often believed to be the federal government due to its vast array of agencies, departments, and military branches. However, when considering individual states, the largest employers are often found in the private sector, particularly in industries such as retail, healthcare, and education.
Is the Military the Largest Employer in the US?
While the military is a significant employer in the United States, employing millions of active-duty service members, reservists, and civilians, it is not the largest employer in terms of sheer numbers. The military is a crucial component of the nation’s workforce, but it does not surpass the combined employment numbers of various private and public sector entities.
What is America’s Number 1 Employer?
Determining America’s number one employer is challenging due to the diverse nature of the country’s workforce. However, based on the data provided, retailers emerge as one of the most prominent employers, with many states listing retail companies as their largest employers.
How Many Large Employers Are There in the US?
The number of large employers in the United States is extensive, encompassing a wide range of industries and sectors. While exact figures may vary, there are thousands of large employers across the country, each contributing to the nation’s overall employment landscape.
Note: The employer count data is based on the number of times each category appears in the ‘Largest Employer’ column. For example, there are 20 retailers in Alabama, so the employer count for “Retailer” in Alabama is 20.
| Rank | State | Largest Employer | Employer Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama | Retailer | 20 |
| 2 | Alaska | Healthcare/Hospitals | 15 |
| 3 | Arizona | Healthcare/Hospitals | 15 |
| 4 | Arkansas | Retailer | 20 |
| 5 | California | University | 7 |
| 6 | Colorado | University | 7 |
| 7 | Connecticut | Healthcare/Hospitals | 15 |
| 8 | Delaware | Healthcare/Hospitals | 15 |
| 9 | Florida | Grocery | 4 |
| 10 | Georgia | Retailer | 20 |
| 11 | Hawaii | University | 7 |
| 12 | Idaho | Healthcare/Hospitals | 15 |
| 13 | Illinois | Retailer | 20 |
| 14 | Indiana | Retailer | 20 |
| 15 | Iowa | Grocery | 4 |
| 16 | Kansas | Retailer | 20 |
| 17 | Kentucky | Retailer | 20 |
| 18 | Louisiana | Retailer | 20 |
| 19 | Maine | Healthcare/Hospitals | 15 |
| 20 | Maryland | Grocery | 4 |
| 21 | Massachusetts | Healthcare/Hospitals | 15 |
| 22 | Michigan | Manufacturer | 2 |
| 23 | Minnesota | Healthcare/Hospitals | 15 |
| 24 | Mississippi | Retailer | 20 |
| 25 | Missouri | Retailer | 20 |
| 26 | Montana | University | 7 |
| 27 | Nebraska | University | 7 |
| 28 | Nevada | Retailer | 20 |
| 29 | New Hampshire | Retailer | 20 |
| 30 | New Jersey | Ecommerce | 2 |
| 31 | New Mexico | University | 7 |
| 32 | New York | Healthcare/Hospitals | 15 |
| 33 | North Carolina | Retailer | 20 |
| 34 | North Dakota | Healthcare/Hospitals | 15 |
| 35 | Ohio | Retailer | 20 |
| 36 | Oklahoma | Retailer | 20 |
| 37 | Oregon | Manufacturer | 2 |
| 38 | Pennsylvania | Retailer | 20 |
| 39 | Rhode Island | Healthcare/Hospitals | 15 |
| 40 | South Carolina | Retailer | 20 |
| 41 | South Dakota | Healthcare/Hospitals | 15 |
| 42 | Tennessee | Retailer | 20 |
| 43 | Texas | Retailer | 20 |
| 44 | Utah | Healthcare/Hospitals | 15 |
| 45 | Vermont | Healthcare/Hospitals | 15 |
| 46 | Virginia | Grocery | 4 |
| 47 | Washington | Ecommerce | 2 |
| 48 | West Virginia | Healthcare/Hospitals | 15 |
| 49 | Wisconsin | University | 7 |
| 50 | Wyoming | Retailer | 20 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the largest employer category in each state?
The largest employer category varies by state. However, the most common categories are:Retail: This is the most common category, appearing in 20 states.
Healthcare/Hospitals: This category appears in 15 states.
University: This category appears in 7 states.
Manufacturer: This category appears in 2 states.
Ecommerce: This category appears in 2 states.
Grocery: This category appears in 4 states.Which states have the most diverse employer categories?
Several states have a diverse mix of employer categories, including:New Jersey: Ecommerce and Manufacturer
Oregon: Manufacturer and Other
Washington: Ecommerce and Other
California: University, Healthcare/Hospitals, and OtherHow many employers are there in each category overall?
Unfortunately, the provided data only shows the largest employer category for each state, not the total number of employers in each category. However, you can find more detailed information about the number of employers by industry and occupation in the full BLS report.What are the trends in employer categories across different regions?
The analysis doesn’t provide enough data to identify regional trends definitively. However, it suggests that Retail and Healthcare/Hospitals are significant employers in many states, while Ecommerce and Manufacturer appear less prevalent.
Source:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) – https://www.bls.gov/
- IndustryWeek – https://www.industryweek.com/
- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) – https://www.sec.gov/
- National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) – https://www.nber.org/
- Forbes – https://www.forbes.com/
- Yelp – https://www.yelp.com/
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm