In this article, we will look at the 5 industries with the highest number of quits in the US. We have also discussed the great resignation and turnover expectation for 2024 in another article. If you are interested in reading about that along with a more extensive list, head straight to the 10 Industries with the Highest Number of Quits in the US.
5. Trade, Transportation and Utilities
Quits Rate as of January 2024: 2.2%
The nature of the work in this trade, transportation and utilities industry can be physically demanding, involving long hours, irregular schedules, and often strenuous labor. This can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction among workers. Additionally, wages in many positions within this industry may not be competitive compared to other sectors, leading employees to seek better-paying opportunities elsewhere.
4. Healthcare and Social Assistance
Quits Rate as of January 2024: 2.2%
The healthcare industry struggles with the throes of the Great Resignation, enduring a major loss of its workforce, particularly among nurses, as burnout pushes 28% to quit. The exodus, roughly 1.7 million departures in 2022 alone intensified existing staffing shortages. To read more about nursing shortages, see countries that need nurses the most.
3. Professional and Business Services
Quits Rate as of January 2024: 2.5%
Professional and Business Services industry offers a diverse range of career opportunities, allowing individuals to easily transition between roles and companies in pursuit of better compensation, career advancement, or improved work-life balance. Additionally, the widespread adoption of remote work has increased job mobility, enabling professionals to seek employment opportunities beyond geographical constraints.
2. Other Services
Quits Rate as of January 2024: 2.7%
The industry known as “Other Services (except Public Administration)” falls within the broader service-providing industries supersector category.
This sector includes establishments providing services that don’t fit neatly into other classification systems. Primarily, these establishments engage in activities such as repairing equipment and machinery, overseeing religious endeavors, providing grantmaking and advocacy services, offering dry cleaning and laundry services, personal care services, funeral services, pet care services, photo finishing services, temporary parking services, and dating services.
In January 2024, employment in other services saw a slight increase, with 5.872 million jobs, mainly in production and nonsupervisory roles, totaling 4.770 million. However, the unemployment rate rose to 4.0%, indicating a growing number of individuals seeking employment. Job openings surged to 418,000, potentially signaling increased demand, while hires and separations also saw an uptick, reaching 215,000 and 223,000 respectively.
1.Leisure and Hospitality
Quits Rate as of January 2024: 4.6%
The leisure and hospitality sector’s employment figures show a fluctuating trend. Overall employment slightly increased from November 2023 to February 2024, reaching a peak of 16,882, with production and nonsupervisory employees comprising 14,742 of those jobs. However, there’s a noticeable rise in the unemployment rate from 4.8% in December 2023 to 6.0% in January 2024, stabilizing at 5.9% in February 2024. Job openings experienced a decline from November to December 2023 but showed signs of recovery in January 2024. Hires increased steadily, peaking at 902 thousand in February 2024, while separations also rose during the period. With a quit rate of 4.6%, leisure and hospitality is the industry with the highest number of quits in the US.
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