Biggest Industries by Employment in United States in 2025

• 1. Public Schools in the US

  Employment number for 2025: 7,148,833

  Public schools have managed to maintain revenue growth despite significant shifts in funding, enrollment and parental preferences. Class sizes are shrinking every year as birth rates drop and the high school retention rate stagnates, straining revenue as smaller schools see lessened funding from governments. Public schools have contended with heightened competition from alternative education options, especially homeschooling and private institutions, as parents seek mor...

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• 2. Hospitals in the US

  Employment number for 2025: 6,073,680

  Hospitals play a critical role in healthcare, offering specialized treatments and emergency services essential for public health, regardless of economic fluctuations or individuals' financial situations. Rising incomes and broader access to insurance have fueled demand for care in recent years, supporting hospitals' post-pandemic recovery initiated by federal policies and funding. The recovery for many hospitals was also promoted by mergers that lessened financial strains, especially in rural...

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• 3. Fast Food Restaurants in the US

  Employment number for 2025: 4,962,350

  While shifting consumer preferences and a crowded foodservice landscape, fast food restaurants have maintained a steady pace of growth. Over the five years to 2025, industry revenue has expanded at a CAGR of 3.9%, reaching $417.5 billion. Notably, 2025 alone will experience a 1.1% increase in revenue. The trend towards fast casual dining has bolstered the industry, helping fast food chains hold their ground amid fierce competition.

  As health awareness continues t...

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• 4. Office Staffing & Temp Agencies in the US

  Employment number for 2025: 3,623,967

  The Office Staffing and Temp Agencies industry has thrived by offering agile staffing solutions to corporate clients, despite a volatile economic environment. In the aftermath of labor market disruptions brought on by the pandemic, the economy bounced back quickly. Amid a tight labor market, businesses turned to temp agencies to help fill recruitment gaps, producing consecutive years of record growth. However, as inflationary concerns picked up and the Federal Reserve raised interest rates to...

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• 5. Professional Employer Organizations in the US

  Employment number for 2025: 3,348,648

  Professional employer organizations (PEOs) have fared with volatility in recent years. The labor market quickly recovered from the pandemic and the unemployment rate has hovered near record low levels, intensifying competition for talent. PEOs have been essential in a market where many companies struggled to staff up, while also helping businesses implement strategies to reduce attrition. At the same time, elevated interest rates in response to inflation have constrained growth among critical...

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• 6. Colleges & Universities in the US

  Employment number for 2025: 3,245,345

  Endowment returns for many universities skyrocketed early in the current period, largely fueled by booming private equity and hedge fund activity. In 2021, private nonprofit universities saw a staggering 684.0% jump in investment returns. In contrast, public universities, which typically hold smaller endowments invested more in US equities and fixed-income assets, experienced more modest gains. Meanwhile, inflation and rising interest rates in 2022 reversed the boom for...

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• 7. Commercial Real Estate in the US

  Employment number for 2025: 3,154,042

  The Commercial Real Estate (CRE) industry is exhibiting significant variations across markets, with persistently high office vacancy rates juxtaposed against thriving prime office spaces. Hard hit by the widespread adoption of remote and hybrid work models, the overall office vacancy rate rose to 20.4% in Q4 2024 from the pre-pandemic rate of 16.8%. However, leasing volumes for prime office spaces are set to climb, providing opportunities for seasoned investors. On the other hand, the multifa...

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• 8. Supermarkets & Grocery Stores in the US

  Employment number for 2025: 2,926,607

  Supermarkets and grocery stores have significantly transformed in recent years, driven by technological advancements and shifting consumer preferences. E-commerce has become a cornerstone of the industry, with over 70.0% of grocery retailers integrating online ordering and fulfillment into their operations in 2025. This shift has been fueled by consumer demand for convenience and efficient shopping experiences, prompting retailers to invest heavily in curbside pickup and home delivery service...

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• 9. Single Location Full-Service Restaurants in the US

  Employment number for 2025: 2,886,368

  Despite the volatile economic climate in the last five years, the Single-Location, Full-Service Restaurant industry has displayed resilience and adaptability. Unprecedented challenges brought by the pandemic and its associated economic recovery introduced considerable shifts in consumer behavior early in the period, and many in the industry received government assistance to weather those challenges. This was followed by robust domestic economic growth and increased consumer spending in recent...

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• 10. Chain Restaurants in the US

  Employment number for 2025: 2,700,153

  Restaurants have experienced surging recovery and record inflation in the past few years as they continue to serve the public's appetite. After the pandemic, chain restaurants contended with high inflation that reduce customers' willingness to dine out. Later on, soaring operational costs have pressured industry profitability, driving some chains out of the industry. Overall, over the five years to 2025, chain restaurant revenue expanded at a CAGR of 10.4% to $241.5 billion, including a 1.7% ...

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