U.S. Job Market Trends 2023: Employment and Wage Insights Across Occupations

Summary

In 2023, the U.S. labor market continued to show steady growth, with total employment reaching over 151.8 million jobs—a 2.7% increase from 2022. This expansion was coupled with notable wage improvements, as the mean annual wage rose by 5.8% to $65,470, and the median wage grew by 3.8% to $48,060. Examining specific occupations reveals key insights into where growth and wage increases are most pronounced and where employment has contracted.

Key Findings Across Occupations

Cashiers showed minimal employment growth, rising by just 0.1% to 3.3 million jobs. Despite the static employment numbers, wages saw significant gains, with mean annual wages increasing by 6.9% to $30,710 and median wages up by 5.2% to $29,720. These increases highlight efforts to attract and retain workers in a role often impacted by high turnover.

Customer Service Representatives experienced a slight decline in employment, dropping 0.7% to 2.86 million jobs. However, wages for this group improved, with mean wages increasing by 5.7% to $43,520 and median wages rising by 5.0% to $39,680. This reflects the continued demand for skilled representatives despite increased automation in customer service.

Fast Food and Counter Workers saw the most significant employment growth, with a 10.6% rise to 3.68 million jobs. Mean wages increased by 7.0% to $30,110, and median wages grew by 5.8% to $29,540. These gains highlight a recovery in the food service sector and efforts to address labor shortages.

General and Operations Managers experienced a 3.9% increase in employment, reaching 3.51 million jobs. These high-demand leadership roles commanded a mean wage of $129,330 (up 5.3%) and a median wage of $101,280 (up 3.2%). The growth underscores the importance of experienced management in a competitive business environment.

In the healthcare sector, Home Health and Personal Care Aides saw a 5.3% increase in employment to 3.69 million jobs. Wages for these roles experienced robust growth, with the mean wage rising by 7.9% to $33,380 and the median wage jumping 11.1% to $33,530, driven by growing demand for elder care and personalized health services.

Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand saw employment rise by 2.5% to 3.01 million jobs. Mean wages increased by 6.0% to $39,760, while median wages grew by 4.3% to $37,660, reflecting continued strength in logistics and supply chain operations.

Office Clerks, General saw a slight employment decline, down 0.8% to 2.5 million jobs. However, wages for office clerks improved, with the mean wage rising by 5.9% to $43,560 and the median wage increasing by 6.4% to $40,480, indicating the sustained value of administrative skills in the workplace.

Registered Nurses experienced a 3.3% increase in employment, reaching 3.18 million jobs. Mean wages for nurses rose by 6.1% to $94,480, while median wages increased by 6.0% to $86,070, reflecting the enduring demand for healthcare professionals and the push for competitive compensation in the sector.

Retail Salespersons saw a modest 1.2% employment growth to 3.68 million jobs. Wages improved notably, with mean wages rising by 5.6% to $36,690 and median wages up by 10.1% to $33,680, driven by labor shortages and competitive retail hiring.

Finally, Stockers and Order Fillers experienced a 1.1% rise in employment to 2.87 million jobs. Mean wages increased by 6.9% to $37,990, while the median wage grew by 6.3% to $36,390, highlighting the continued demand for logistics and warehousing roles as e-commerce expands.

Conclusion

The 2023 U.S. job market demonstrated resilience and adaptability, with substantial employment and wage growth across several key occupations. Sectors such as food service, healthcare, and logistics exhibited strong demand, reflected in both increased employment and rising wages. At the same time, slight employment declines in roles like customer service and office clerks point to the impact of automation and digital transformation. As industries continue to evolve, investing in skill development and adapting to changing market demands will remain critical for workers and employers alike.