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Industries laying off the most workers | Which industries are laying off the most workers these days? To find out, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on the rate and total number of layoffs and discharges across 19 key industry categories. Figures are for the month of May 2021, the most recent month for which data is available. Parallel numbers are given for May 2020 for comparison. (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images News via Getty Images)
Industries laying off the most workers | Which industries are laying off the most workers these days? To find out, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on the rate and total number of layoffs and discharges across 19 key industry categories. Figures are for the month of May 2021, the most recent month for which data is available. Parallel numbers are given for May 2020 for comparison. (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images News via Getty Images)
19. Finance and insurance | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.20% (total: 15,000) - Total employment in May 2021: 6,539,000 - Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 0.30% - Total employment in May 2020: 6,474,300 (Natee Meepian/iStock via Getty Images)
19. Finance and insurance | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.20% (total: 15,000)
– Total employment in May 2021: 6,539,000 – Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 0.30% – Total employment in May 2020: 6,474,300 (Natee Meepian/iStock via Getty Images)
18. Federal | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.20% (total: 5,000) - Total employment in May 2021: 2,881,000 - Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 0.80% - Total employment in May 2020: 2,877,000 (shironosov/iStock via Getty Images)
18. Federal | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.20% (total: 5,000) – Total employment in May 2021: 2,881,000 – Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 0.80% – Total employment in May 2020: 2,877,000 (shironosov/iStock via Getty Images)
17. State and local, excluding education | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.20% (total: 18,000) - Total employment in May 2021: 8,956,000 - Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 0.60% - Total employment in May 2020: 8,814,000 (Ridofranz/Getty Images)
17. State and local, excluding education | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.20% (total: 18,000) – Total employment in May 2021: 8,956,000 – Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 0.60% – Total employment in May 2020: 8,814,000 (Ridofranz/Getty Images)
16. State and local education | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.50% (total: 52,000) - Total employment in May 2021: 9,816,000 - Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 1.30% - Total employment in May 2020: 9,620,000 (Jovanmandic/iStock via Getty Images)
16. State and local education | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.50% (total: 52,000) – Total employment in May 2021: 9,816,000 – Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 1.30% – Total employment in May 2020: 9,620,000 (Jovanmandic/iStock via Getty Images)
15. Health care and social assistance | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.60% (total: 113,000) - Total employment in May 2021: 19,993,000 - Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 1.20% - Total employment in May 2020: 18,835,800 (monkeybusinessimages/iStock via Getty Images)
15. Health care and social assistance | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.60% (total: 113,000) – Total employment in May 2021: 19,993,000 – Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 1.20% – Total employment in May 2020: 18,835,800 (monkeybusinessimages/iStock via Getty Images)
14. Wholesale trade | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.70% (total: 42,000) - Total employment in May 2021: 5,681,000 - Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 1.90% - Total employment in May 2020: 5,508,000 (dusanpetkovic/iStock via Getty Images)
14. Wholesale trade | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.70% (total: 42,000) – Total employment in May 2021: 5,681,000 – Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 1.90% – Total employment in May 2020: 5,508,000 (dusanpetkovic/iStock via Getty Images)
13. Retail trade | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.70% (total: 108,000) - Total employment in May 2021: 15,239,000 - Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 1.20% - Total employment in May 2020: 13,644,100 (gorodenkoff/iStock via Getty Images)
13. Retail trade | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.70% (total: 108,000) – Total employment in May 2021: 15,239,000 – Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 1.20% – Total employment in May 2020: 13,644,100 (gorodenkoff/iStock via Getty Images)
12. Educational services | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.70% (total: 24,000) - Total employment in May 2021: 3,484,000 - Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 2.10% - Total employment in May 2020: 3,271,500 (monkeybusinessimages/iStock via Getty Images)
12. Educational services | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.70% (total: 24,000) – Total employment in May 2021: 3,484,000 – Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 2.10% – Total employment in May 2020: 3,271,500 (monkeybusinessimages/iStock via Getty Images)
11. Durable goods manufacturing | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.80% (total: 62,000) - Total employment in May 2021: 7,640,000 - Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 1.20% - Total employment in May 2020: 7,201,000 (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
11. Durable goods manufacturing | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.80% (total: 62,000) – Total employment in May 2021: 7,640,000 – Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 1.20% – Total employment in May 2020: 7,201,000 (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
10. Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.80% (total: 47,000) - Total employment in May 2021: 6,257,000 - Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 1.80% - Total employment in May 2020: 5,781,000 (Igor Vershinsky/iStock via Getty Images)
10. Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.80% (total: 47,000) – Total employment in May 2021: 6,257,000 – Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 1.80% – Total employment in May 2020: 5,781,000 (Igor Vershinsky/iStock via Getty Images)
9. Information | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.80% (total: 23,000) - Total employment in May 2021: 2,736,000 - Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 1.40% - Total employment in May 2020: 2,594,000 (fizkes/iStock via Getty Images)
9. Information | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.80% (total: 23,000) – Total employment in May 2021: 2,736,000 – Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 1.40% – Total employment in May 2020: 2,594,000 (fizkes/iStock via Getty Images)
8. Accommodation and food services | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.80% (total: 105,000) - Total employment in May 2021: 12,421,000 - Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 1.50% - Total employment in May 2020: 8,922,100 (MNStudio/iStock via Getty Images)
8. Accommodation and food services | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.80% (total: 105,000) – Total employment in May 2021: 12,421,000 – Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 1.50% – Total employment in May 2020: 8,922,100 (MNStudio/iStock via Getty Images)
7. Real estate and rental and leasing | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.90% (total: 19,000) - Total employment in May 2021: 2,262,000 - Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 1.60% - Total employment in May 2020: 2,138,800 (xeni4ka/iStock via Getty Images)
7. Real estate and rental and leasing | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 0.90% (total: 19,000) – Total employment in May 2021: 2,262,000 – Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 1.60% – Total employment in May 2020: 2,138,800 (xeni4ka/iStock via Getty Images)
6. Nondurable goods manufacturing | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 1.00% (total: 45,000) - Total employment in May 2021: 4,663,000 - Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 1.30% - Total employment in May 2020: 4,456,000 (Group4 Studio/E+ via Getty Images)
6. Nondurable goods manufacturing | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 1.00% (total: 45,000) – Total employment in May 2021: 4,663,000 – Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 1.30% – Total employment in May 2020: 4,456,000 (Group4 Studio/E+ via Getty Images)
5. Other services | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 1.00% (total: 55,000) - Total employment in May 2021: 5,584,000 - Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 1.70% - Total employment in May 2020: 4,777,000 Note: Workers employed in this industry are engaged in activities not easily classified in other sectors. Included are such jobs as equipment and machinery repairing, promoting or administering religious activities, grantmaking, advocacy, and providing drycleaning and laundry services, personal care services, death care services, pet care services, photofinishing services, temporary parking services and dating services. (Nikola Stojadinovic/E+ via Getty Images)
5. Other services | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 1.00% (total: 55,000) – Total employment in May 2021: 5,584,000 – Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 1.70% – Total employment in May 2020: 4,777,000 Note: Workers employed in this industry are engaged in activities not easily classified in other sectors. Included are such jobs as equipment and machinery repairing, promoting or administering religious activities, grantmaking, advocacy, and providing drycleaning and laundry services, personal care services, death care services, pet care services, photofinishing services, temporary parking services and dating services. (Nikola Stojadinovic/E+ via Getty Images)
4. Arts, entertainment, and recreation | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 1.10% (total: 23,000) - Total employment in May 2021: 1,969,000 - Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 3.50% - Total employment in May 2020: 1,224,100 (mixetto/E+ via Getty Images)
4. Arts, entertainment, and recreation | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 1.10% (total: 23,000) – Total employment in May 2021: 1,969,000 – Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 3.50% – Total employment in May 2020: 1,224,100 (mixetto/E+ via Getty Images)
3. Mining and logging | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 1.20% (total: 7,000) - Total employment in May 2021: 618,000 - Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 3.10% - Total employment in May 2020: 601,000 (Maksim Safaniuk/iStock via Getty Images)
3. Mining and logging | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 1.20% (total: 7,000) – Total employment in May 2021: 618,000 – Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 3.10% – Total employment in May 2020: 601,000 (Maksim Safaniuk/iStock via Getty Images)
2. Professional and business services | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 1.40% (total: 290,000) - Total employment in May 2021: 20,746,000 - Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 2.40% - Total employment in May 2020: 19,247,000 (ljubaphoto/E+ via Getty Images)
2. Professional and business services | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 1.40% (total: 290,000) – Total employment in May 2021: 20,746,000 – Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 2.40% – Total employment in May 2020: 19,247,000 (ljubaphoto/E+ via Getty Images)
1. Construction | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 1.80% (total: 138,000) - Total employment in May 2021: 7,417,000 - Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 2.50% - Total employment in May 2020: 7,004,000 (ljubaphoto/E+ via Getty Images)
1. Construction | Layoff and discharges rate in May 2021: 1.80% (total: 138,000) – Total employment in May 2021: 7,417,000 – Layoff and discharges rate in May 2020: 2.50% – Total employment in May 2020: 7,004,000 (ljubaphoto/E+ via Getty Images)