Key Highlights
- Asian Americans made up approximately 6.1% of the civilian labor force in 2022
- The employment-population ratio for Asian Americans was about 66.1% in 2022
- The unemployment rate for Asian Americans was 3.3% in 2022
- In 2022, Asian Americans had a labor force participation rate of 65.8%
- The median weekly earnings for Asian American workers was $1,112 in 2022
- Asian Americans hold about 4.2% of management, business, and financial operations occupations
- The unemployment rate for Asian American women was 3.1% in 2022
- Asian American workers are disproportionately employed in healthcare and tech sectors, with over 50% working in these fields in 2022
- The labor force participation rate among Asian American men was 71.4% in 2022
- The percentage of Asian Americans working in STEM occupations was approximately 23% in 2022
- The median household income for Asian Americans was $89,834 in 2022
- Asian American women have a labor force participation rate of 58.4% in 2022
- About 27% of Asian American workers are employed in professional and related occupations
Asian Americans continue to make significant strides in the U.S. workforce, with a diverse profile marked by steadily increasing employment in high-growth sectors like tech and healthcare, higher educational attainment, and a burgeoning entrepreneurial spirit, all amidst evolving challenges and opportunities.
Demographics and Population Characteristics
- Asian Americans made up approximately 6.1% of the civilian labor force in 2022
- The percentage of Asian Americans working in STEM occupations was approximately 23% in 2022
- Asian Americans accounted for nearly 12.6% of all employed doctors and physicians in the U.S. in 2022
- About 22% of Asian Americans over the age of 25 have a bachelor's degree or higher, in 2022
- Asian Americans are underrepresented in construction and extraction occupations, comprising only 3.8% in 2022
- 68% of Asian American workers in the U.S. are insured through employer-sponsored health plans in 2022
- The average time to find employment after graduation for Asian Americans is roughly 3.5 months, as of 2022
- The share of Asian Americans employed in the arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media was about 5.2% in 2022
- The average commute time for Asian American workers was 27.5 minutes in 2022
- Asian Americans have the highest rate of advanced degrees among Asian subgroups, with over 70% holding a master's degree or higher
- Asian Americans are the second-largest Asian-origin subgroup in the U.S. workforce, after Chinese Americans, with the majority working in urban areas
- The median age of employed Asian Americans was 39 years in 2022, indicating a relatively young workforce
- Asian Americans represent about 4.8% of the U.S. labor force in 2022
- The proportion of Asian Americans working in food service and hospitality was around 9% in 2022
- The share of Asian Americans in blue-collar jobs was approximately 25% in 2022, signifying significant diversity in employment types
- Asian American college enrollment increased by 5% in 2022 compared to the previous year, indicating higher participation in higher education
- The share of Asian Americans who work remotely at least part of the time was about 35% in 2022, demonstrating increased flexibility in work arrangements
Demographics and Population Characteristics Interpretation
Asian Americans, comprising roughly 6.1% of the U.S. workforce with a notable presence in STEM and healthcare, demonstrate remarkable educational attainment and professional diversity, yet remain underrepresented in construction and manual trades—highlighting both breakthroughs and persistent gaps in their pursuit of equitable opportunity and representation in urban industries.
Entrepreneurship and Business Ownership
- The rate of entrepreneurship among Asian Americans was about 14.2% in 2022, higher than the national average
- Asian Americans own about 25% of all Asian small businesses in the U.S. as of 2022
- In 2022, 18% of Asian American workers were self-employed, compared to 11% of all workers
- The number of Asian American entrepreneurs increased by 9% between 2020 and 2022, emphasizing growth in small business creation
Entrepreneurship and Business Ownership Interpretation
Asian Americans are clearly transforming the entrepreneurial landscape in the U.S., as their self-employment and small business ownership not only surpass national averages but also highlight a resilient drive to turn cultural grit into economic success.
Labor Force Participation and Employment Rates
- The employment-population ratio for Asian Americans was about 66.1% in 2022
- The unemployment rate for Asian Americans was 3.3% in 2022
- In 2022, Asian Americans had a labor force participation rate of 65.8%
- The unemployment rate for Asian American women was 3.1% in 2022
- The labor force participation rate among Asian American men was 71.4% in 2022
- Asian American women have a labor force participation rate of 58.4% in 2022
- The rate of full-time employment for Asian Americans is 82% as of 2022
- The unemployment rate among Asian American youth (16-24 years) was 6.1% in 2022
- The employment rate for Asian American college graduates with a bachelor's degree was approximately 86% in 2022
- The employment growth rate for Asian Americans was 4.8% in 2022, faster than the national average of 3.5%
- In 2022, the labor force participation rate among Vietnamese Americans was 65.3%
- Compared to other racial groups, Asian Americans are among the most likely to have multiple jobs, with about 12% holding more than one job in 2022
- The percentage of Asian Americans working in retail trade was approximately 14% in 2022
- The participation rate of Asian American seniors in the workforce (aged 65 and over) was 10.2% in 2022
- The gender employment gap among Asian American women is narrower than the national average at approximately 2%
Labor Force Participation and Employment Rates Interpretation
Asian Americans' employment statistics in 2022 reveal a resilient workforce with high full-time and graduate employment rates, a brisk growth pace exceeding national averages, and a gender gap narrower than most, illustrating both steady progress and the nuanced diversity of experience within the community.
Representation in Management and Sectors
- Asian Americans hold about 4.2% of management, business, and financial operations occupations
- Asian American workers are disproportionately employed in healthcare and tech sectors, with over 50% working in these fields in 2022
- About 27% of Asian American workers are employed in professional and related occupations
- Asian American representation in federal government employment is about 7% as of 2022
- Asian Americans' representation in the tech sector has increased by over 15% since 2018, comprising about 18% of tech industry employees in 2022
- Asian Americans are more likely to work in the healthcare sector during the COVID-19 pandemic due to their higher representation in medical fields
- Asian American representation in accounting and auditing occupations was approximately 12% in 2022
Representation in Management and Sectors Interpretation
Despite comprising a vibrant segment of the workforce, Asian Americans remain underrepresented in management and federal roles, even as their dominance in healthcare and tech sectors surges, reflecting both opportunities and ongoing structural gaps in leadership and policy influence.
Wages, Income, and Earnings
- The median weekly earnings for Asian American workers was $1,112 in 2022
- The median household income for Asian Americans was $89,834 in 2022
- The median hourly wage for Asian American workers was $21.50 in 2022
- Approximately 15% of Asian Americans live below the poverty line, lower than the national average of 12.8%
- The median income of Asian American households engaged in small business ownership was approximately $105,000 in 2022
- Asian Americans are more likely to be employed in higher-salary roles compared to other minority groups, with median incomes above $88,000
- The gender pay gap among Asian American workers in 2022 was approximately 4.5%, with men earning more on average
Wages, Income, and Earnings Interpretation
While Asian American workers enjoy higher median earnings and are more likely to hold higher-salary roles, the persistent gender pay gap and household poverty rates remind us that economic disparities still blur the picture of progress.
Sources & References
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