Largest industries by state, 1990–2013

In 1990, the manufacturing industry was the leading employer in most U.S. states, followed by retail trade. In 2003, retail trade was the leading employer in a majority of states. By 2013, health care and social assistance was the dominant industry in 34 states. This animated map shows the top industry in each state and the District of Columbia from 1990 to 2013.

Major industries with highest employment, by state Play Pause << < > >> Hover over a state to see information.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Industries with most employment, by state State 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Alabama Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Alaska Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Arizona Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Arkansas Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance California Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Colorado Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Connecticut Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Delaware Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance District of Columbia Professional, scientific, and technical services Professional, scientific, and technical services Professional, scientific, and technical services Professional, scientific, and technical services Professional, scientific, and technical services Professional, scientific, and technical services Professional, scientific, and technical services Professional, scientific, and technical services Professional, scientific, and technical services Professional, scientific, and technical services Professional, scientific, and technical services Professional, scientific, and technical services Professional, scientific, and technical services Professional, scientific, and technical services Professional, scientific, and technical services Professional, scientific, and technical services Professional, scientific, and technical services Professional, scientific, and technical services Professional, scientific, and technical services Professional, scientific, and technical services Professional, scientific, and technical services Professional, scientific, and technical services Professional, scientific, and technical services Professional, scientific, and technical services Florida Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Georgia Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Hawaii Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Idaho Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Illinois Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Indiana Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Iowa Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Kansas Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Kentucky Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Manufacturing Louisiana Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Maine Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Maryland Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Massachusetts Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Michigan Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Manufacturing Minnesota Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Mississippi Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Missouri Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Montana Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Nebraska Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Nevada Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services New Hampshire Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade New Jersey Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance New Mexico Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance New York Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance North Carolina Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance North Dakota Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Ohio Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Oklahoma Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Oregon Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Pennsylvania Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Rhode Island Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance South Carolina Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade South Dakota Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Tennessee Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Texas Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Utah Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Vermont Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Virginia Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Washington Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance West Virginia Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Retail trade Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance Wisconsin Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Wyoming Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Retail trade Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services Accommodation and food services

Employment in manufacturing declined steadily over the 1990–2013 period. By the mid-1990s, retail trade had become the leading employer in a number of states, and health care and social assistance was emerging as the largest employer in a few. Health care and social assistance became the largest industry in New York State in 1992, and in North Dakota in 1995.

The largest increase in healthcare and social assistance employment in the states occurred in 2009, as retail trade, manufacturing, and other industries showed declines with the onset of the most recent recession. Manufacturing remained the top employer in Michigan until 2009, when it was replaced by health care and social assistance; in 2013, however, manufacturing returned as the largest employer in Michigan.

The accommodation and food services industry was the leading employer in Nevada and Hawaii throughout the 1990–2013 period, and professional, scientific, and technical services remained the top industry in the District of Columbia.

These data are from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages program. For industry employment and wage data at the national, state, county, and metropolitan area levels, access the data search tool. The analysis for this edition of The Editor’s Desk was conducted by Frances Osei-Bonsu, a Denison University student who recently served an internship at the BLS Mid-Atlantic Regional Office in Philadelphia.