The State of American Jobs

Americans believe knowledge of computers, social dexterity, communications skills and access to training are keys to success for today’s workers

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The State of American Jobs

How economic change is reshaping the workplace

Employment growth is more rapid in occupations requiring higher social or analytical skills

Over the past 25 years, employment growth has been most rapid in education and health services

Adults with higher levels of education see a greater need for ongoing training

Americans believe knowledge of computers, social dexterity, communications skills and access to training are keys to success for today’s workers

Workers acquire key job skills in a variety of settings

Wages are higher and increased more in occupations requiring relatively higher levels of social or analytic skills

People believe outsourcing and imports are the biggest harms to U.S. workers; they are more divided about the impact of immigrants and automation

Americans think individuals and public schools should have the most responsibility to make sure workers have the right skills

Americans have mixed views about how well post-high school education prepares students for the workforce

Economy tops other key issues in importance for presidential vote

Employment is rising faster in occupations requiring higher levels of preparation

Employment growth is more rapid in occupations requiring higher social or analytical skills

Employment growth is strongest in education and health services, but manufacturing is shedding workers

Fast-growing industries are more likely to employ people in occupations requiring higher levels of skills

Wages are higher and increased more in occupations requiring relatively higher levels of social or analytic skills

Women make up the majority of workers in occupations requiring higher social or analytical skills

Half of workers in occupations requiring higher social or analytical skills are college educated

Workers with higher levels of education are more likely to have a job-related certificate or license

A rising share of the population ages 55 and older is working

The typical earnings of employed women have increased

Participation in employer-sponsored health insurance plans fell most among young adults and the lesser educated

Share of workers who participate in a retirement plan or have access to one has fallen since 2000

The share of workers with at least 5 years on the job has risen since 1996

People are working more weeks and hours

More workers are in alternative employment arrangements

A smaller share of workers moonlight

The self-employment rate is falling

More than six-in-ten Americans say good jobs are hard to find where they live

Americans are more upbeat than downcast about how their standard of living has evolved – and will continue onward

Feelings about mobility linked to job satisfaction

Many think job conditions have become more challenging than a generation ago and that more stressful change is coming

College-educated Americans are more likely to think job stresses have grown since a generation ago and to anticipate more strains in the future

People believe outsourcing and imports are the biggest harms to U.S. workers; they are more divided about the impact of immigrants and automation

Views about the impact of immigrants on U.S. workers have shifted significantly in the past decade

Whites are more likely than others to think several forces have hurt U.S. workers

Americans think individuals and public schools should have the most responsibility to make sure workers have the right skills

Most say individuals are very responsible for job readiness; Democrats, more than Republicans, see a strong role for government, educational system

Americans believe knowledge of computers, social dexterity, communications skills and access to training are keys to success for today’s workers

Views on key skills for workers vary by education

Job satisfaction varies by family income

Full-time workers report being more satisfied than part-time workers with various aspects of life

Private sector employees less likely to say their job gives them a sense of identity

Youngest adults most likely to see their jobs as steppingstones to a career

Most feel their jobs are secure from outsourcing and automation

Wide gap in benefits offered to full- and part-time workers

Men more likely than women to feel underemployed

More educated workers see greater need for ongoing training and skills development

Many workers have taken a class or gotten training in past year, often because employer required it

Lower-income workers who seek additional training are motivated by wages, new job opportunities

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Americans believe knowledge of computers, social dexterity, communications skills and access to training are keys to success for today’s workers

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