For release 10:00 a.m. (ET) Thursday, September 8, 2022 USDL-22-1805
Technical information: (202) 691-5700 • ep-info@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/emp
Media contact: (202) 691-5902 • PressOffice@bls.gov
EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONS — 2021-2031
The U.S. economy is projected to add 8.3 million jobs from 2021 to 2031, the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS) reported today. Total employment is projected to increase from 158.1 million to 166.5
million and grow 0.5 percent annually, which is slower than the 1.0 percent annual growth recorded over
the 2011−21 decade. (See chart 1.)
The 2021−31 projections use 2021 annual average employment levels as the base year. The 2021 annual
average levels do not reflect much of the employment recovery and reallocation that has already
occurred in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying recession, given total
employment continued to grow rapidly through the first half of 2022. As a result, total employment for
the 2021−31 projections, and projected growth in many sectors, reflects fast projected growth resulting
from low base year employment levels. However, the pandemic also has been a catalyst for some
structural changes in demand for certain goods and services, which are expected to affect long-term
demand for employment in a select group of industries and occupations.
Occupational Outlook Handbook
The BLS projections are the foundation of the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), one of the
nation's most widely used career information resources. The OOH reflects BLS employment projections
for the 2021–31 decade. The updated OOH is available online at www.bls.gov/ooh.
158.1
166.5
130
135
140
145
150
155
160
165
170
175
2001 2006 2011 2016 2021 2026 2031
Millions
Chart 1. Total employment, 2001–21 and projected 2031
Note: Total employment includes wage and salary employment and self-employment.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics