Number of work-related deaths

The total number of work-related deaths in the United States is projected to reach 5,715.2 people in 2025, representing a 2.3% increase from 2024. This increase reflects a period of employment recovery, with more workplaces hiring and a larger active workforce, which elevates the overall risk of occupational fatalities.

Between 2020 and 2025, the number of work-related deaths exhibited notable volatility, primarily influenced by labor market shifts and macroeconomic conditions. In 2020, the number of work-related deaths fell by 10.7% as rising unemployment and the temporary closure of many in-person workspaces reduced the likelihood of on-the-job mortality. The end of pandemic-related restrictions in 2021 and 2022 triggered a strong rebound in employment, contributing to 8.9% and 5.7% rises in deaths for those years as more individuals returned to the workforce. By 2023, growth in the number of work-related deaths slowed to 0.7%, coinciding with a deceleration in employment gains. However, the resumption of hiring in 2024 and 2025 accelerated the growth rate, with annual increases of 1.1% and 2.3%, respectively.

Over the past five years, ongoing structural shifts in the labor market, such as the transition toward white-collar and service-based employment, have tempered growth in the overall incidence of fatal workplace accidents, as these sectors generally present lower safety risks than traditional blue-collar industries. However, the pace of automation and adoption of labor-saving technologies has not been sufficient to offset rising fatalities during periods of strong job growth, emphasizing the continued vulnerability of workers in human-centered roles.