In October 2024, the civilian labor force amounted to 168.48 million people in the United States. The term civilian labor force is used by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to describe the subset of Americans who have jobs or are seeking a job, are at least 16 years old, are not serving in the military, and are not institutionalized.
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Labor force, total in United States was reported at 172435911 in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. United States - Labor force, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on May of 2025.
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Graph and download economic data for Employment Level (CE16OV) from Jan 1948 to May 2025 about civilian, 16 years +, household survey, employment, and USA.
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United States US: Labour Force: Female: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 45.821 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 45.848 % for 2016. United States US: Labour Force: Female: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 45.754 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 46.165 % in 2010 and a record low of 44.318 % in 1990. United States US: Labour Force: Female: % of Total Labour Force data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.World Bank: Labour Force. Female labor force as a percentage of the total show the extent to which women are active in the labor force. Labor force comprises people ages 15 and older who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.; ; Derived using data from International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database and World Bank population estimates. Labor data retrieved in November 2017.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections.
In 2024, the U.S. employment rate stood at 60.1 percent. Employed persons consist of: persons who did any work for pay or profit during the survey reference week; persons who did at least 15 hours of unpaid work in a family-operated enterprise; and persons who were temporarily absent from their regular jobs because of illness, vacation, bad weather, industrial dispute, or various personal reasons. The employment-population ratio represents the proportion of the civilian non-institutional population that is employed. The monthly unemployment rate for the United States can be found here.
In 2024, the employment rate of the workforce of 55 years and older decreased to 37.3 percent. Employment rate among young adults (age 16-24) was at 50.9 percent in 2024. For monthly updates on employment in the United States visit the annual national employment rate here.
This graph depicts the average daily employment of temporary and contract workers in the U.S., expressed as a percentage of the total workforce - excluding the farming industry. Average daily employment is essentially a count of the number of individuals working on assignments on a typical business day. In 2009 the figure was 1.7%.
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Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Employment Total: From 15 to 64 Years for United States (LFEM64TTUSQ647S) from Q1 1970 to Q1 2025 about 15 to 64 years, employment, and USA.
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United States - Total Unemployed Plus Discouraged Workers, as a Percent of the Civilian Labor Force Plus Discouraged Workers (U-4) was 4.10% in April of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Total Unemployed Plus Discouraged Workers, as a Percent of the Civilian Labor Force Plus Discouraged Workers (U-4) reached a record high of 14.80 in April of 2020 and a record low of 3.30 in April of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Total Unemployed Plus Discouraged Workers, as a Percent of the Civilian Labor Force Plus Discouraged Workers (U-4) - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.
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Graph and download economic data for Percent of Employment in Manufacturing in the United States (DISCONTINUED) (USAPEFANA) from 1970 to 2012 about percent, manufacturing, employment, and USA.
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United States US: Wage And Salaried Workers: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Employment data was reported at 90.039 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 90.150 % for 2016. United States US: Wage And Salaried Workers: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Employment data is updated yearly, averaging 88.930 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 90.150 % in 2016 and a record low of 86.866 % in 1991. United States US: Wage And Salaried Workers: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Employment data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.World Bank: Employment and Unemployment. Wage and salaried workers (employees) are those workers who hold the type of jobs defined as 'paid employment jobs,' where the incumbents hold explicit (written or oral) or implicit employment contracts that give them a basic remuneration that is not directly dependent upon the revenue of the unit for which they work.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in November 2017.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections.
According to recent data of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 441.7 thousand people were working in the motion picture and sound recording industries in the United States as of January 2024. That value dropped in 2023 to 422 thousand employees before rebounding the following year.
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United States US: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Youth: % of Total Labour Force Aged 15-24 data was reported at 9.519 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 10.341 % for 2016. United States US: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Youth: % of Total Labour Force Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 11.902 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 18.298 % in 2010 and a record low of 9.211 % in 2000. United States US: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Youth: % of Total Labour Force Aged 15-24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.World Bank: Employment and Unemployment. Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in November 2017.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.
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Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) (national estimate) in United States was reported at 62.6 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. United States - Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.
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Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate Full-Time Workers (LNS14100000) from Jan 1968 to May 2025 about full-time, workers, 16 years +, household survey, unemployment, rate, and USA.
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This data collection is comprised of responses from two sets of survey questionnaires, the basic Current Population Survey (CPS) and a survey administered as a supplement to the February 2013 basic CPS questionnaire. The supplement, on the topic of public participation in the arts in the United States, was sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts. The CPS, administered monthly, collects labor force data about the civilian noninstitutional population aged 15 years old or older living in the United States. Moreover, the CPS provides current estimates of the economic status and activities of this population which includes estimates of total employment (both farm and nonfarm), nonfarm self-employed persons, domestics, and unpaid helpers in nonfarm family enterprises, wage and salaried employees, and estimates of total unemployment. The basic CPS data are provided on labor force activity for the week prior to the survey. In addition, CPS provides respondents' demographic characteristics such as age, sex, race, marital status, educational attainment, family relationship, occupation, and industry. In addition to the basic CPS questions, the February 2013 Annual Arts Basic Survey (AABS) questions were asked of the CPS respondent and spouse as well as another randomly selected household member aged 18 or older and his/her spouse. About one-quarter of the sampled households were asked the supplement questions. Interview numbers 3 and 7 were asked the supplement questions. If the selected person had a spouse or partner then questions were also asked of the spouse/partner. The supplement contained questions about the sampled member's participation in various artistic activities from February 2012 through February 2013. Questions were asked about the type of artistic activity attended including attending a live music, theater, or dance performance. Questions also included attending a live book reading or a poetry or storytelling event, an art exhibit, going to the movies or to see a film, or taking any lessons or classes in music or music appreciation. Interviews were conducted during the period of February 17-23, 2013. The total sample size of the 2013 AABS was 150,827 Americans, ages 18 and older.
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United States - Total Unemployed, Plus Discouraged Workers, Plus All Other Persons Marginally Attached to the Labor Force, as a Percent of the Civilian Labor Force Plus All Persons Marginally Attached to the Labor Force (U-5) was 4.70% in April of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Total Unemployed, Plus Discouraged Workers, Plus All Other Persons Marginally Attached to the Labor Force, as a Percent of the Civilian Labor Force Plus All Persons Marginally Attached to the Labor Force (U-5) reached a record high of 15.60 in April of 2020 and a record low of 3.90 in April of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Total Unemployed, Plus Discouraged Workers, Plus All Other Persons Marginally Attached to the Labor Force, as a Percent of the Civilian Labor Force Plus All Persons Marginally Attached to the Labor Force (U-5) - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.
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United States - Total Unemployed, Plus All Persons Marginally Attached to the Labor Force, Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons, as a Percent of the Civilian Labor Force Plus All Persons Marginally Attached to the Labor Force (U-6) was 7.80% in May of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Total Unemployed, Plus All Persons Marginally Attached to the Labor Force, Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons, as a Percent of the Civilian Labor Force Plus All Persons Marginally Attached to the Labor Force (U-6) reached a record high of 22.90 in April of 2020 and a record low of 6.60 in December of 2022. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Total Unemployed, Plus All Persons Marginally Attached to the Labor Force, Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons, as a Percent of the Civilian Labor Force Plus All Persons Marginally Attached to the Labor Force (U-6) - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.
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United States US: Employment In Industry: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Employment data was reported at 18.890 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 18.791 % for 2016. United States US: Employment In Industry: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Employment data is updated yearly, averaging 21.206 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 24.655 % in 1991 and a record low of 18.474 % in 2010. United States US: Employment In Industry: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Employment data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.World Bank.WDI: Employment and Unemployment. Employment is defined as persons of working age who were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangement. The industry sector consists of mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction, and public utilities (electricity, gas, and water), in accordance with divisions 2-5 (ISIC 2) or categories C-F (ISIC 3) or categories B-F (ISIC 4).; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections.
In 2019, a Statista study on labor shortages showed that in 2020, 16 percent of the North American workforce were working in low-skilled occupations, with this share decreasing to 15 percent by 2030.
In October 2024, the civilian labor force amounted to 168.48 million people in the United States. The term civilian labor force is used by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to describe the subset of Americans who have jobs or are seeking a job, are at least 16 years old, are not serving in the military, and are not institutionalized.