Industries with the highest employment in San Francisco
Written by:
February 25, 2021
Updated on February 26, 2021
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Industries with the highest employment in San Francisco
The COVID-19 pandemic radically altered the U.S. economy, with unemployment peaking at , according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). While jobs have been gaining since, millions of out-of-work Americans are still searching for jobs.
Before COVID-19 gutted the economy, the United States' economic landscape was , with health care, computer systems design, and scientific industries leading a push for more employment. On the flip side, industries like wired telecommunications, postal service, and textile production are showing a rapid decline. With the development of newer and more advanced technologies every day, the job landscape is shifting and so are the pay demands and prerequisite skills. There is a strong correlation between advanced education and a higher salary鈥攚orkers with higher education levels have higher wages and lower unemployment rates. Of course, it should be noted that obstacles remain for universal access to quality higher education.
compiled a list of industries with the highest employment in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA Metro Area using data from . Industries are ranked by number of employees as of 2019.
Keep reading to see which industries in San Francisco are the surest bets for employment.
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#19. Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 1,289 (0.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -9.0%
National
- Employed: 799,011
- Percent of total employment: 0.5%
- #19 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 1,289 (0.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -9.0%
National
- Employed: 799,011
- Percent of total employment: 0.5%
- #19 most common industry nationwide
#18. Management of companies and enterprises
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 5,205 (0.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +117.5%
National
- Employed: 232,031
- Percent of total employment: 0.1%
- #20 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 5,205 (0.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +117.5%
National
- Employed: 232,031
- Percent of total employment: 0.1%
- #20 most common industry nationwide
#17. Utilities
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 15,920 (0.6% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +5.0%
National
- Employed: 1,272,369
- Percent of total employment: 0.8%
- #18 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 15,920 (0.6% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +5.0%
National
- Employed: 1,272,369
- Percent of total employment: 0.8%
- #18 most common industry nationwide
#16. Wholesale trade
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 51,295 (2.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -14.0%
National
- Employed: 4,013,368
- Percent of total employment: 2.5%
- #13 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 51,295 (2.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -14.0%
National
- Employed: 4,013,368
- Percent of total employment: 2.5%
- #13 most common industry nationwide
#15. Real estate and rental and leasing
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 55,941 (2.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +1.6%
National
- Employed: 3,034,330
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #15 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 55,941 (2.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +1.6%
National
- Employed: 3,034,330
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #15 most common industry nationwide
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#14. Arts, entertainment, and recreation
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 61,147 (2.4% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +24.3%
National
- Employed: 3,532,697
- Percent of total employment: 2.2%
- #14 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 61,147 (2.4% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +24.3%
National
- Employed: 3,532,697
- Percent of total employment: 2.2%
- #14 most common industry nationwide
#13. Public administration
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 92,287 (3.6% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +8.9%
National
- Employed: 7,140,292
- Percent of total employment: 4.5%
- #11 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 92,287 (3.6% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +8.9%
National
- Employed: 7,140,292
- Percent of total employment: 4.5%
- #11 most common industry nationwide
#12. Information
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 102,540 (4.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +47.7%
National
- Employed: 2,959,616
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #16 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 102,540 (4.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +47.7%
National
- Employed: 2,959,616
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #16 most common industry nationwide
#11. Administrative and support and waste management services
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 110,758 (4.3% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +14.8%
National
- Employed: 6,766,918
- Percent of total employment: 4.3%
- #12 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 110,758 (4.3% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +14.8%
National
- Employed: 6,766,918
- Percent of total employment: 4.3%
- #12 most common industry nationwide
#10. Other services, except public administration
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 115,972 (4.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +1.3%
National
- Employed: 7,584,054
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #9 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 115,972 (4.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +1.3%
National
- Employed: 7,584,054
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #9 most common industry nationwide
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#9. Transportation and warehousing
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 116,848 (4.6% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +33.2%
National
- Employed: 7,665,636
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #8 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 116,848 (4.6% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +33.2%
National
- Employed: 7,665,636
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #8 most common industry nationwide
#8. Finance and insurance
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 128,256 (5.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +16.7%
National
- Employed: 7,263,440
- Percent of total employment: 4.6%
- #10 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 128,256 (5.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +16.7%
National
- Employed: 7,263,440
- Percent of total employment: 4.6%
- #10 most common industry nationwide
#7. Construction
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 137,497 (5.4% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +23.2%
National
- Employed: 11,036,894
- Percent of total employment: 7.0%
- #7 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 137,497 (5.4% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +23.2%
National
- Employed: 11,036,894
- Percent of total employment: 7.0%
- #7 most common industry nationwide
#6. Accommodation and food services
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 176,506 (6.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +21.2%
National
- Employed: 11,801,878
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #5 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 176,506 (6.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +21.2%
National
- Employed: 11,801,878
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #5 most common industry nationwide
#5. Manufacturing
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 184,531 (7.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +5.6%
National
- Employed: 15,770,698
- Percent of total employment: 9.9%
- #3 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 184,531 (7.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +5.6%
National
- Employed: 15,770,698
- Percent of total employment: 9.9%
- #3 most common industry nationwide
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#4. Educational services
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 209,000 (8.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +20.8%
National
- Employed: 14,839,461
- Percent of total employment: 9.3%
- #4 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 209,000 (8.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +20.8%
National
- Employed: 14,839,461
- Percent of total employment: 9.3%
- #4 most common industry nationwide
#3. Retail trade
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 237,353 (9.3% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +13.4%
National
- Employed: 17,216,634
- Percent of total employment: 10.8%
- #2 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 237,353 (9.3% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +13.4%
National
- Employed: 17,216,634
- Percent of total employment: 10.8%
- #2 most common industry nationwide
#2. Health care and social assistance
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 312,689 (12.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +9.1%
National
- Employed: 22,131,751
- Percent of total employment: 13.9%
- #1 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 312,689 (12.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +9.1%
National
- Employed: 22,131,751
- Percent of total employment: 13.9%
- #1 most common industry nationwide
#1. Professional, scientific, and technical services
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA Metro Area
- Employed: 429,948 (16.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +69.9%
National
- Employed: 11,765,340
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #6 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 429,948 (16.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +69.9%
National
- Employed: 11,765,340
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #6 most common industry nationwide
