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Immigrants are a structural part of the American economy. In 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 30 million workers in the United States were born outside the country, representing 18.6% of the total workforce. That share has grown consistently — in 2010, it stood at 15.6%. The increase reflects a simple reality: the American market depends on foreign-born labor to function, and that dependence extends well beyond low-skill roles.
For anyone planning to build a life in the U.S., understanding where jobs are concentrated is an essential part of the planning process. The sector you enter influences the type of visa that makes sense, the level of English required, how quickly you can break in, your starting salary, and your growth trajectory. This overview draws on public data from the BLS, the U.S. Census Bureau, and USA Facts, aimed at anyone seeking reliable, actionable information for making a mobility decision.
Industries Employing the Most Immigrants in Absolute Numbers
BLS 2023 data shows the following distribution of foreign-born workers across major sectors:
- Education and health services: 5.5 million
- Professional and business services: 4.7 million
- Construction: 3.3 million
- Manufacturing: 3.2 million
- Trade (retail and wholesale): 3 million
- Leisure and hospitality: 3 million
- Transportation and utilities: 2.1 million
- Financial activities: 1.6 million
- Other services: 1.6 million
- Government: 766,000
- Agriculture, fishing, and forestry: 439,000
- Information technology: 415,000
- Mining: 74,000
Education and health services leads in absolute terms, with 5.5 million foreign-born workers. The group is diverse: home health aides, nursing assistants, registered nurses, physical therapists, physicians on J-1 or H-1B visas, university professors, and researchers at public and private laboratories.
Where Immigrants Carry the Greatest Proportional Weight
Absolute volume is not the same as sector-level dependency. When you look at the share of foreign-born workers within each industry, the picture shifts:
- Construction: 28.6%
- Professional and business services: 22.9%
- Other services: 21.9%
- Transportation and utilities: 21.4%
- Leisure and hospitality: 21%
- Manufacturing: 20.2%
- Agriculture and fishing: 19.8%
- Trade: 15.6%
- Education and health services: 14.8%
- Financial activities: 14.6%
- Information technology: 13.7%
- Mining: 12.5%
- Government: 10%
Construction is the most dependent sector: nearly one in three workers was born outside the U.S. That profile reflects lower barriers to entry, persistently high demand, and the industry’s willingness to absorb workers with varying levels of formal credentialing.
Sector Growth from 2010 to 2023
Looking at a snapshot without the trend leads to flawed conclusions. The percentage change in immigrant hiring over the past thirteen years shows where things are heading:
- Transportation and utilities: +90.7%
- Professional and business services: +78.2%
- Construction: +62%
- Government: +55.7%
- Financial activities: +51%
- Education and health services: +37.1%
- Manufacturing: +21.2%
- Other services: +12.7%
- Trade: +12.1%
- Information technology: +7.2%
Transportation leads growth, driven by the e-commerce boom, last-mile logistics, and rising demand for long-haul truck drivers. Professional services (consulting, engineering, architecture, accounting) reflect digitalization and demand for technical expertise. Finance, health, and government have also expanded immigrant hiring steadily.
A Closer Look by Sector
Healthcare and Personal Care
The aging of the American population is an irreversible demographic force. The number of people over 65 continues to grow, expanding demand for caregivers, nursing assistants, occupational therapists, rehabilitation professionals, and hospital aides. Foreign nursing degrees can be validated through the NCLEX-RN; roles such as home health aide and CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) have short certification pathways.
Technology
The sector remains a magnet for skilled foreign-born talent, though hiring has slowed compared to the 2018–2022 boom. Most in-demand positions in 2026: backend software engineers, information security specialists, machine learning engineers, senior data analysts, and cloud architects. Typical visa pathways: H-1B (annual lottery), O-1 for exceptional ability workers, EB-2 and EB-2 NIW for permanent residence.
Construction
The sector has the lowest formal barriers and consistently high demand. Carpenters, electricians, plumbers, HVAC installers, and masons can earn competitive wages without a college degree. Local unions offer apprenticeship programs that combine training with paid employment.
Transportation and Logistics
A CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) opens doors quickly for truck drivers. Forklift operators, freight dispatchers, warehouse coordinators, and logistics maintenance technicians are among the most sought-after roles.
Hospitality and Food Service
A common entry point for newly arrived immigrants. The English barrier is lower, especially in kitchens and back-of-house roles. Cooks, kitchen assistants, servers, baristas, housekeepers, and hotel attendants are among the most accessible positions.
Where to Look for Jobs
An effective job search combines multiple channels:
- LinkedIn: ideal for professional and skilled roles, networking, and internal referrals
- Indeed and Glassdoor: aggregators with powerful filters and regional salary data
- Craigslist: still relevant for local construction, hospitality, and trade openings
- Sector-specific sites: USAJobs (federal government), HealtheCareers (healthcare), Dice (technology)
- Temporary staffing agencies: a fast entry point in construction, manufacturing, and logistics
Nonprofits such as the International Rescue Committee, Catholic Charities, Upwardly Global, and Welcoming America offer free professional integration support to immigrants in cities across the country.
The Structural Picture
The Bureau of Labor Statistics data makes clear a reality that transcends any political cycle: the American economy does not function without immigrants. They hold essential roles at every skill level and across virtually every sector. For anyone planning a move, reading this data correctly is not just curiosity — it is the starting point for informed decisions about visa route, geography, additional training, and timing.
Victoria Harper
Editor-in-Chief
Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.
