For many people, Labor Day marks the end of the summer, but in the midst of barbecues and festivities, let us remember the importance of the American labor force which it honors.
The labor force keeps this country moving. We may not fully appreciate the impact that the labor force has on our daily lives.
As of May 2016, there are 158.5 million people, ages 16 or older, in the United States labor force, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The largest number of employees—4,612,510 at last count—are retail sales people. These are the people who assist you when you go to a store. Then you have the 3,478,420 cashiers who ring you up and get you on your way.
We all love to eat and so let us thank the 3,216,460 combined food preparation and serving workers (including fast food), who prepare our meals and give us service with a smile along with the 2,505,630 waiters and waitresses who are employed in our nation.
We should also consider the contributions of the 2,944,429 general office clerks, 2,595,990 customer service representatives, 2,745,910 register nurses, 2,487,680 laborers and freight stock and material movers (hand), 2,281,120 secretaries and administrative assistants (except legal, medical, and executive), and the 2,146,800 janitors and cleaners (except maids and housekeeping cleaners), who also help make up the largest portion of the work force.
Here are some other interesting facts about our labor force from the U.S. Census Bureau:
—15.2 million: The number of employed female workers age 16 and over in service occupations in 2014. Among male workers age 16 and over, 11.8 million were employed in service-related occupations.
—1.9%: The percentage increase in employment, or 141.9 million, in the U.S. between December 2014 and December 2015. In December 2015, the 342 U.S. counties with 75,000 or more jobs accounted for 72.5 percent of total U.S. employment and 77.8 percent of total wages. These 342 counties had a net job growth of 2.2 million over the year, which accounted for 81.4 percent of the overall U.S. employment increase.
—$50,383 and $39,621: The 2014 real median earnings for male and female full-time, year-round workers, respectively. The 2014 real median household income of $53,657 is not statistically different in real terms from the 2013 median of $54,462.
—108.0%: The projected percentage growth from 2014 to 2024 in the number of wind turbine service technicians (4,400 jobs in 2014), the projected fastest-growing occupation. Meanwhile, the occupation expected to add the greatest number of positions over this period is personal care aides (458,100).
This is just a small sample of the impact of the American worker on our nation, our lives and our economy. So on Labor Day take a minute to reflect on the reason for the holiday and the great benefit they are to our nation.