As the U.S. labor market continues to evolve, certain occupations have emerged as the backbone of America’s workforce, especially in the nation’s most populous cities.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) analyzed by CNBC Make It, health and personal care aides are now the most common jobs across the country, employing nearly 4 million people as of May 2024.
Despite modest pay, these roles are essential to meeting the growing demand for healthcare and eldercare in an aging population.
1. Health and Personal Care Aides: America’s Most Common Job
Health and personal care aides top the list nationwide, with an annual median wage of about $34,000.
These workers provide critical assistance to the elderly, disabled, and chronically ill often in private homes or long-term care facilities.
The demand for this occupation has surged due to demographic shifts, including longer life expectancies and a rise in chronic health conditions.
In New York, the nation’s largest metropolitan area, this role is even more prominent. Over 605,000 people work as home health and personal care aides, earning a median wage of $37,990.
Similarly, in Los Angeles, more than 350,000 workers fill these positions, earning around $34,600 annually.
Although the pay is relatively low compared to the high cost of living in these cities, the sector continues to expand as healthcare needs intensify.
The significance of these jobs extends beyond numbers – they represent the human element of America’s social infrastructure.
As automation transforms industries, personal care remains one of the few sectors where empathy and human connection cannot be replaced by technology.
2. Manual Freight, Stock, and Material Movers: The Muscle Behind Urban Economies
In cities like Chicago and Los Angeles, manual freight and stock movers are vital to sustaining local commerce and logistics networks.
These workers handle the physical backbone of supply chains – loading, unloading, and transporting goods across warehouses, retail centers, and transportation hubs.
In Chicago, where logistics is a major industry, this occupation ranks as the most common job, employing 146,710 people and offering a median annual wage of $40,030.
Los Angeles, another logistics powerhouse due to its proximity to major ports, employs 128,800 freight and stock movers, earning around $39,200 per year.
Although physically demanding, these jobs provide stable employment opportunities for individuals without advanced degrees.
However, they also highlight the economic challenges faced by blue-collar workers in urban areas, where living expenses continue to outpace wage growth.
Also See: 5 Free Job Websites That Can Help You Land Your Dream Job in the U.S.
3. Registered Nurses and Operations Managers: The High Earners Among Common Roles
While many of the most common jobs in major cities offer modest wages, some stand out for their higher earning potential.
Registered nurses (RNs) and general and operations managers occupy this category, reflecting both the demand for skilled labor and the complexity of these roles.
In New York, registered nurses earn an impressive median annual salary of $113,490, making them the highest-paid among the city’s three most common occupations.
With nearly 195,470 nurses employed, their work forms a critical link in the healthcare system.
Similarly, in Chicago, general and operations managers – responsible for overseeing business activities and improving efficiency – earn around $105,310 annually, underscoring their importance in maintaining the city’s economic vitality.
