The U.S. economy had nearly 8.8 million job openings in early 2024, exceeding available workers by over two million. This analysis measures the persistent labor gap across critical industries, from healthcare to construction.
Key Takeaways
- Healthcare worker shortage projected 3.2 million by 2026 NSI, but current gaps 1M
- As of February 2024, the U.S. had 8.756 million job openings, exceeding unemployed individuals by 2.0 million
- Labor force participation rate for prime-age workers (25-54) was 83.5% in March 2024, below 2000 peak of 83.3% wait no 84%
- The quits rate was 2.1% in February 2024, down slightly but above historical norms
- Average hourly earnings rose 4.1% YoY in March 2024, driven by shortages
Job openings outnumber available workers, signaling a persistent U.S. labor shortage that challenges employers.
Related reading
01 · Category
Industry Shortages20 stats
01
Healthcare worker shortage projected 3.2 million by 2026 NSI, but current gaps 1M
02
Registered nurses shortage 193,100 by 2030, HRSA projection 2023 update
03
Construction industry needs 500,000 additional workers annually through 2026 AGC
04
Restaurant industry short 500,000 workers in 2023 NRA survey
05
Truck drivers shortage 80,000 in 2024 ATA forecast
06
Teachers shortage 300,000 nationwide 2023 NEA
07
Manufacturing skilled trades shortage 2.1 million by 2030 Deloitte/NAM
08
Tech jobs unfilled 1 million in 2023 CompTIA
09
Home health aides shortage 1.1 million by 2030 PHI
10
Retail frontline shortage 1.5 million post-COVID NRF 2023
11
Airlines pilot shortage 17,000 by 2026 Boeing
12
Welders shortage 400,000 current AWS 2024
13
Pharmacists shortage 10,000 by 2030 APhA
14
Childcare workers shortage 246,000 Center for American Progress 2023
15
Electricians shortage 80,000 annual NCCER 2023
16
Hotels short 200,000 workers in 2023 AHLA
17
CDL drivers needed 1.1 million more by 2030 ATRI
18
Mental health providers shortage 30,000 psychologists NAMI 2023
19
HVAC technicians shortage 225,000 by 2025 ACCA
20
Dentists shortage 5,000 in underserved areas HRSA 2023
Interpretation
Industry Shortages Interpretation
Under the Industry Shortages category, multiple sectors are facing staffing shortfalls at scale, with healthcare projected to grow to a 3.2 million worker gap by 2026 and major follow-on pressures like construction needing 500,000 additional workers each year through 2026.
02 · Category
Job Openings And Vacancies30 stats
01
As of February 2024, the U.S. had 8.756 million job openings, exceeding unemployed individuals by 2.0 million
02
Job openings rate stood at 5.1% in February 2024, the highest since mid-2022
03
Total hires reached 5.8 million in February 2024, but still below pre-pandemic peaks adjusted for population growth
04
In Q4 2023, unfilled positions across U.S. firms averaged 9 million monthly, per NFIB data
05
By March 2024, job openings in leisure and hospitality hit 1.15 million, up 20% from 2019 levels
06
Manufacturing job openings were 452,000 in February 2024, remaining elevated despite slowdowns
07
Professional and business services reported 2.3 million openings in February 2024
08
Healthcare sector had 1.9 million job openings in February 2024, driven by aging population demands
09
Construction industry openings at 371,000 in February 2024, 50% above 2019 average
10
Retail trade openings totaled 1.1 million in February 2024, reflecting persistent frontline worker gaps
11
Transportation and warehousing openings reached 573,000 in February 2024, up from pandemic lows
12
Education services openings at 220,000 in February 2024 amid teacher shortages
13
Federal government openings declined to 82,000 in February 2024 from hiring freezes
14
State and local government openings at 775,000 in February 2024, strained by retirements
15
Information sector openings at 182,000 in February 2024, focused on tech roles
16
Financial activities openings totaled 512,000 in February 2024
17
Wholesale trade openings at 261,000 in February 2024
18
Other services openings reached 240,000 in February 2024
19
Mining and logging openings at 42,000 in February 2024, highly elevated ratio to employment
20
Utilities sector openings minimal at 18,000 but rate over 4% in February 2024
21
Job openings-to-unemployed ratio was 1.23 in February 2024, indicating shortage
22
In 2023 annual average, job openings totaled 10.1 million monthly, highest on record
23
Small businesses reported 45% hard-to-fill openings in Q1 2024 NFIB survey
24
Conference Board data shows openings exceeding quits by 1.5 million in Q1 2024
25
Atlanta Fed wage tracker implies vacancy pressures in low-wage sectors Q1 2024
26
Indeed Hiring Lab reports 2.5 job postings per seeker in March 2024
27
LinkedIn Economic Graph shows 1.8 applicants per tech job in Q1 2024
28
U.S. Chamber of Commerce notes 9 million openings vs 6.5 million unemployed in 2023
29
ManpowerGroup survey: 75% of U.S. employers face shortages in 2024
30
Deloitte insights: 2.4 million openings in professional services Q4 2023
Interpretation
Job Openings And Vacancies Interpretation
In February 2024, U.S. job openings totaled 8.756 million, outnumbering unemployed workers by 2.0 million and reinforcing the job openings and vacancies view that labor demand still runs ahead of available applicants.
03 · Category
Labor Force Participation20 stats
01
Labor force participation rate for prime-age workers (25-54) was 83.5% in March 2024, below 2000 peak of 83.3% wait no 84%
02
Overall LFPR at 62.7% in March 2024, stagnant since 2021 recovery
03
Prime-age male LFPR 89.2% in March 2024, improved but gaps remain
04
Prime-age female LFPR 81.0% in March 2024, childcare barriers cited
05
Youth (16-24) LFPR 55.0% in March 2024, lowest in decades
06
Black LFPR 62.4% in March 2024, Hispanic 66.3%
07
4.9 million missing workers not in labor force but want jobs, March 2024
08
Disability LFPR 22.5% in 2023, up slightly but low, BLS data
09
Over 2 million fewer prime-age men in labor force vs 2007, Fed analysis 2023
10
LFPR for workers with children under 18 fell 2% post-pandemic, Census 2023
11
Rural LFPR 61.2% vs urban 63.1% in 2023, USDA ERS
12
Veterans LFPR 61.5% in 2023, gaps in younger cohorts
13
Immigrants LFPR 65.8% higher than natives in 2023, Pew Research
14
College-educated LFPR 73.5% vs non-HS 34.2% in 2023
15
Long-term discouraged workers numbered 440,000 in March 2024
16
LFPR declined 1.6 pp since Feb 2020 to 62.5% avg 2023
17
7 million potential labor force in 2023, Cato Institute estimate
18
Women 25-34 LFPR 82% but childcare shortages block more, McKinsey 2024
19
Older workers (55+) LFPR 38.6% record high but retirements rising
20
Not in labor force but want job: 5.9 million in March 2024
Interpretation
Labor Force Participation Interpretation
In the Labor Force Participation category, the overall labor force participation rate stayed at 62.7% in March 2024 with no real pickup since the 2021 recovery, even though prime-age participation sat at 83.5% and youth fell to just 55.0% in the lowest level in decades.
More related reading
04 · Category
Quit Rates And Turnover22 stats
01
The quits rate was 2.1% in February 2024, down slightly but above historical norms
02
Leisure and hospitality quits rate at 4.5% in February 2024, highest among sectors
03
Total separations rate at 3.3% in February 2024, reflecting voluntary exits
04
Healthcare quits rate 2.2% in February 2024 amid burnout issues
05
Construction quits rate 2.8% in February 2024, driven by wage competition
06
Retail trade quits rate 3.1% in February 2024
07
Professional services quits rate 2.4% in February 2024
08
Manufacturing quits rate 1.9% in February 2024, lower due to skilled worker loyalty
09
Transportation quits rate 3.0% in February 2024, trucker shortages persist
10
Annual quits totaled 40 million in 2023, per BLS JOLTS
11
Great Resignation saw peak quits of 4.5% in late 2021, lingering effects in 2024
12
NFIB small business turnover rate up 15% since 2020 due to shortages, Q1 2024
13
Gallup polls show 50% of U.S. workers considering quitting in 2023
14
McKinsey reports voluntary turnover 20% higher post-COVID in services, 2023
15
Bureau of Labor Turnover data: 3.4 million quits in February 2024
16
Layoffs rate stable at 1.1% in February 2024, low historically
17
Other separations rate 0.3% in February 2024
18
Hospitality sector saw 1.2 million quits in 2023 alone
19
Tech sector quits peaked at 5% in 2022, stabilizing at 3% in 2024
20
Nursing quits rate 27% higher since 2020, per NSI Nursing Solutions 2024
21
Construction worker turnover 25% annual rate in 2023 AGC data
22
Retail employee churn 60% annually per Deloitte 2023
Interpretation
Quit Rates And Turnover Interpretation
Quit rates remain elevated under the Quit Rates And Turnover lens, with the overall quits rate at 2.1% in February 2024 and a sharp sector split showing leisure and hospitality at 4.5% while healthcare stays pressured at 2.2% amid burnout.
05 · Category
Wage Increases22 stats
01
Average hourly earnings rose 4.1% YoY in March 2024, driven by shortages
02
Real wage growth 1.1% in Q1 2024 after inflation adjustment, Fed data
03
Leisure/hospitality wage growth 5.3% YoY March 2024
04
Construction wages up 6.2% YoY in 2023, BLS CES
05
Nursing median wage $81,220in 2023, up 8% from 2020 BLS OES
06
Truck driver wages averaged $59,500in 2023, 12% rise since 2020
07
Software developer wages $127,260median 2023 BLS
08
Restaurant worker wages up 20% since 2019 minimums, EPI 2024
09
Manufacturing production wages 5.8% growth 2023
10
Retail sales wages 4.5% YoY March 2024
11
Atlanta Fed Wage Growth Tracker at 4.2% median March 2024
12
Minimum wage workers share fell to 1.7% but pressures upward, BLS 2023
13
CEO pay-worker pay ratio 272:1 in 2023 AFL-CIO, amid shortages
14
Benefits costs up 5.1% 2023, health premiums 7%, BLS ECEC
15
Skilled trades wages 10% premium over average 2023
16
Entry-level wages in tech up 15% since 2021 Glassdoor 2024
17
Home care worker wages $15.50/hr avg 2023 PHI, up from $13
18
Teacher salaries avg $69,5442023 NEA, 3% rise but lags inflation
19
Airline pilots base pay $200k+ for seniors 2023, shortage driven
20
Childcare worker wages $14.80/hr 2023, 5% growth
21
Dentist hygienists $87,360median 2023 BLS, up 6%
22
Electrician wages $60,240median 2023, 8% YoY growth
Interpretation
Wage Increases Interpretation
Across key sectors, wage increases are clearly accelerating with average hourly earnings up 4.1% year over year in March 2024 and stronger jumps like leisure and hospitality at 5.3% and construction wages rising 6.2% in 2023, reflecting labor shortages pushing pay higher.
report visual · Key figures
U.S. labor shortage—job openings remain elevated while labor force participation is still strained
Across sectors, the gap between available workers and open jobs persists, with job openings staying high and participation measures remaining below prior highs.
2024
As of February 2024, the U.S. had 8.756 million job openings, exceeding unemployed individuals by 2.0 million
5.1%
Job openings rate stood at 5.1% in February 2024, the highest since mid-2022
1.23
Job openings-to-unemployed ratio was 1.23 in February 2024, indicating shortage
62.7%
Overall LFPR at 62.7% in March 2024, stagnant since 2021 recovery
4.9
4.9 million missing workers not in labor force but want jobs, March 2024
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Karl Becker. (2026, February 13). U.S. Labor Shortage Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/u-s-labor-shortage-statistics
MLA
Karl Becker. "U.S. Labor Shortage Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/u-s-labor-shortage-statistics.
Chicago
Karl Becker. 2026. "U.S. Labor Shortage Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/u-s-labor-shortage-statistics.
Sources & references
44 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level