Worker Health Surveillance

Characteristics of the US Workforce

The Current Population Survey (CPS) is conducted regularly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The survey gathers data including worker characteristics on the employed. Employment projections for 10 years into the future were made using current and past CPS data.

Learn more about the most recent worker characteristics in the charts below. The data used to prepare these charts can be found at Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey and the Employment Projection page.

The age of the working population is increasing. In 2002, the percent of workers who were 55 or older was 14.4%; by 2022, it is predicted to increase to 25.6%.

Civilian labor force by age, 2004, 2014, and projected to 2024, BLS*

From 1992 to 2012, the labor force participation of black and Asian workers has increased by 11.7% and 55%, respectively. By 2022, the percent of black workers and Asian workers is projected to increase to 12.4% and 6.2%, respectively. By 2022, the percent of white workers is projected to decrease to 77.7% or by 8.5%.

Civilian labor force by race: 1994, 2004, 2014, and projected to 2024, BLS*

Hispanic workers are estimated to increase from 8.9% in 1992 to 19.1% in 2022.

Civilian labor force by ethnicity: 1994, 2004, 2014, and projected to 2024, BLS*

Between 2012 and 2022, health occupations are expected to show substantial employment growth; Personal care aides and home health aides expected to increase by at least 48.5%, Medical secretaries (36%), and Medical assistants (29%), nurses (19.4% to 24.8%), and nursing assistants (21.1%). Non healthcare occupations expected to show substantial growth include Construction laborers (24.3%), Carpenters (24.2%), Cooks (14.7%), and Childcare workers (14%).

Occupations with the highest projected percent increase, 2014 to 2024, BLS*

By 2022, the number of workers in health care and service occupations is anticipated to have the largest increase. Personal care aides are expected to increase by 580,800, Registered Nurses by 526,800, Home health aides by 424,200, and Nursing assistants by 312,200. Retail salespersons (434,700), Secretaries (307,800), and Janitors (280,000) are also expected to have a substantial increase by 2022.

Occupations with the highest projected increase in number of workers, 2014 to 2024, BLS*

The Construction industry is estimated to have the largest increase in number of workers by 2022 of greater than 1.6 million workers. Other industries expected to have large increases in number of workers are offices of health practitioners of greater than 1.2 million workers; Retail trade of greater than 1 million workers; Food and drinking services and Private hospitals increasing by approximately 800,000 workers each.

Industries with highest projected increase in number of workers, 2014 to 2024, BLS*

The Home health care services industry is estimated to increase by 59.7%. Other industries expecting to show large employment growth include Individual and family services (54.3%); Outpatient, laboratory and other ambulatory care services (45.4%); Consulting services (40.7%); Computer systems design services (37.6%); Offices of health practitioners (30.9%); and Construction (28.8%). Other industries on this chart show less than a 25% growth.

Industries with the highest projected percent increase, 2014 to 2024, BLS*

File Formats Help:

How do I view different file formats (PDF, DOC, PPT, MPEG) on this site?

Page last reviewed: May 26, 2016
Page last updated: August 9, 2016
Content source:
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies (DSHEFS)

Follow NIOSH

NIOSH Homepage

Worker Health Surveillance

Characteristics of the US Workforce

Follow NIOSH

NIOSH Homepage

File Formats Help: