Many jobs are common across all U.S. states. Jobs like educators, food service workers, and government employees are necessary to sustain a population regardless of the state. But each state is also unique and has its own history, geography, and demographic makeup — as well as its own industrial makeup, with certain jobs and industries much more common compared to other states.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed the largest industry in each state based on total GDP contribution from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The dominant industries in each state are as distinct as farming, computer manufacturing, oil extraction, and broadcasting.
The health of these industries to a large extent determines the health of the overall state economies. The oil and gas extraction industry, for example, has been on the decline in recent years as oil prices plunged from 2014 to 2016. As the largest industry in Alaska, its decline helps explain why the state is one of the fastest shrinking state economies. Here is a full list of the fastest growing and shrinking state economies.
In the vast majority of states, the real estate sector is the largest contributor to GDP. The sector was excluded from our analysis, as housing is a universal need irrespective of geography and fails to illuminate regional economic differences. Another sector we excluded for similar reasons was the government sector.
The largest industries in each state vary considerably in size. Vermont’s largest industry, ambulatory health care services, generated $1.5 billion in 2017. Meanwhile, Texas’s oil and gas extraction sector generated $197.5 billion in 2017 — more than the entire GDP of Montana, Vermont, Wyoming, and South Dakota combined. Texas is home to oil and gas giant Exxon Mobil, the largest company in the state. Not surprisingly, many of the largest companies in each state are in the largest industry. These are the largest companies in each state.
Click here to see the largest industry in every state
Click here to read our methodology
Source: Rawpixel / Getty Images
Alabama: Ambulatory health care services
> Industry GDP contribution: $9.3 billion (4.8% of total)
> Industry workforce: 97,260 (7.1% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +16.2%
> Avg. industry salary: $62,926
See all stories featuring: Alabama
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Source: kyletperry / Getty Images
Alaska: Oil and gas extraction
> Industry GDP contribution: $11.0 billion (21.0% of total)
> Industry workforce: 3,522 (0.2% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: -23.4%
> Avg. industry salary: $224,827
See all stories featuring: Alaska
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Source: aldomurillo / Getty Images
Arizona: Ambulatory health care services
> Industry GDP contribution: $14.7 billion (5.0% of total)
> Industry workforce: 165,710 (7.7% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +18.9%
> Avg. industry salary: $62,128
See all stories featuring: Arizona
Source: jacoblund / Getty Images
Arkansas: Management of companies and enterprises
> Industry GDP contribution: $5.4 billion (4.7% of total)
> Industry workforce: 34,785 (0.6% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +33.9%
> Avg. industry salary: $115,048
See all stories featuring: Arkansas
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Source: kynny / Getty Images
California: Computer and electronic product manufacturing
> Industry GDP contribution: $110.5 billion (4.3% of total)
> Industry workforce: 278,416 (0.3% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +43.5%
> Avg. industry salary: $183,992
See all stories featuring: California
Source: grandriver / Getty Images
Colorado: Oil and gas extraction
> Industry GDP contribution: $16.2 billion (5.0% of total)
> Industry workforce: 8,555 (0.2% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +112.2%
> Avg. industry salary: $184,211
See all stories featuring: Colorado
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Source: scyther5 / Getty Images
Connecticut: Insurance carriers and related activities
> Industry GDP contribution: $18.3 billion (7.6% of total)
> Industry workforce: 57,425 (2.1% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +8.1%
> Avg. industry salary: $141,430
See all stories featuring: Connecticut
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Source: PeopleImages / Getty Images
Delaware: Insurance carriers and related activities
> Industry GDP contribution: $9.1 billion (14.2% of total)
> Industry workforce: 5,595 (1.9% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +48.4%
> Avg. industry salary: $86,134
See all stories featuring: Delaware
Source: patrickheagney / Getty Images
Florida: Ambulatory health care services
> Industry GDP contribution: $45.0 billion (5.1% of total)
> Industry workforce: 501,127 (7.0% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +22.5%
> Avg. industry salary: $63,459
See all stories featuring: Florida
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Source: StevenTrauger / Getty Images
Georgia: Broadcasting (except Internet) and telecommunications
> Industry GDP contribution: $33.2 billion (6.5% of total)
> Industry workforce: 53,343 (0.5% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +44.2%
> Avg. industry salary: $102,386
See all stories featuring: Georgia
Source: yacobchuk / iStock
Hawaii: Accommodation
> Industry GDP contribution: $4.1 billion (5.1% of total)
> Industry workforce: 41,976 (1.1% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +1.5%
> Avg. industry salary: $50,431
See all stories featuring: Hawaii
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Source: Pablo_K / Getty Images
Idaho: Farms
> Industry GDP contribution: $4.0 billion (5.9% of total)
> Industry workforce: 18,915 (2.6% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +32.8%
> Avg. industry salary: $36,533
See all stories featuring: Idaho
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Source: demaerre / Getty Images
Illinois: Insurance carriers and related activities
> Industry GDP contribution: $35.0 billion (4.7% of total)
> Industry workforce: 116,559 (2.3% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +31.9%
> Avg. industry salary: $98,414
See all stories featuring: Illinois
Source: Purdue9394 / Getty Images
Indiana: Chemical manufacturing
> Industry GDP contribution: $18.9 billion (5.9% of total)
> Industry workforce: 29,998 (0.2% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: -11.5%
> Avg. industry salary: $117,903
See all stories featuring: Indiana
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Source: ferrantraite / Getty Images
Iowa: Insurance carriers and related activities
> Industry GDP contribution: $16.8 billion (10.0% of total)
> Industry workforce: 44,595 (3.4% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +51.4%
> Avg. industry salary: $83,175
See all stories featuring: Iowa
Source: Ridofranz / iStock
Kansas: Insurance carriers and related activities
> Industry GDP contribution: $5.2 billion (3.5% of total)
> Industry workforce: 24,743 (3.2% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +27.9%
> Avg. industry salary: $74,040
See all stories featuring: Kansas
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Source: Zinkevych / Getty Images
Kentucky: Ambulatory health care services
> Industry GDP contribution: $8.0 billion (4.4% of total)
> Industry workforce: 87,157 (6.6% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +15.9%
> Avg. industry salary: $65,821
See all stories featuring: Kentucky
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Source: CampPhoto / Getty Images
Louisiana: Petroleum and coal products manufacturing
> Industry GDP contribution: $23.8 billion (10.4% of total)
> Industry workforce: 12,030 (0.1% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +9.3%
> Avg. industry salary: $129,640
See all stories featuring: Louisiana
Source: andresr / Getty Images
Maine: Hospitals
> Industry GDP contribution: $2.7 billion (4.9% of total)
> Industry workforce: 33,157 (0.1% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +0.5%
> Avg. industry salary: $61,777
See all stories featuring: Maine
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Source: FatCamera / Getty Images
Maryland: Ambulatory health care services
> Industry GDP contribution: $14.2 billion (3.9% of total)
> Industry workforce: 146,656 (7.6% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +20.9%
> Avg. industry salary: $65,696
See all stories featuring: Maryland
Source: monkeybusinessimages / Getty Images
Massachusetts: Ambulatory health care services
> Industry GDP contribution: $19.4 billion (4.0% of total)
> Industry workforce: 190,498 (4.4% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +17.2%
> Avg. industry salary: $67,026
See all stories featuring: Massachusetts
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Source: SARINYAPINNGAM / Getty Images
Michigan: Ambulatory health care services
> Industry GDP contribution: $18.2 billion (4.0% of total)
> Industry workforce: 206,999 (6.0% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +12.4%
> Avg. industry salary: $60,201
See all stories featuring: Michigan
Source: jacoblund / Getty Images
Minnesota: Ambulatory health care services
> Industry GDP contribution: $15.3 billion (4.7% of total)
> Industry workforce: 155,995 (4.6% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +23.8%
> Avg. industry salary: $74,847
See all stories featuring: Minnesota
Source: asiseeit / Getty Images
Mississippi: Ambulatory health care services
> Industry GDP contribution: $4.6 billion (4.6% of total)
> Industry workforce: 50,206 (6.8% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +9.9%
> Avg. industry salary: $58,038
See all stories featuring: Mississippi
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Source: Eva-Katalin / Getty Images
Missouri: Ambulatory health care services
> Industry GDP contribution: $10.8 billion (3.9% of total)
> Industry workforce: 118,237 (5.2% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +11.5%
> Avg. industry salary: $63,966
See all stories featuring: Missouri
Source: fokusgood / Getty Images
Montana: Hospitals
> Industry GDP contribution: $1.9 billion (4.4% of total)
> Industry workforce: 25,047 (0.1% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +17.2%
> Avg. industry salary: $62,957
See all stories featuring: Montana
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Source: JulianneGentry / Getty Images
Nebraska: Farms
> Industry GDP contribution: $8.7 billion (7.9% of total)
> Industry workforce: 12,211 (2.9% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +19.3%
> Avg. industry salary: $40,346
See all stories featuring: Nebraska
Source: macniak / Getty Images
Nevada: Accommodation
> Industry GDP contribution: $13.2 billion (9.3% of total)
> Industry workforce: 190,356 (0.8% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: -5.7%
> Avg. industry salary: $40,760
See all stories featuring: Nevada
Source: pixelfit / Getty Images
New Hampshire: Insurance carriers and related activities
> Industry GDP contribution: $3.7 billion (5.1% of total)
> Industry workforce: 11,870 (1.7% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +27.6%
> Avg. industry salary: $87,686
See all stories featuring: New Hampshire
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Source: FatCamera / Getty Images
New Jersey: Ambulatory health care services
> Industry GDP contribution: $24.0 billion (4.4% of total)
> Industry workforce: 236,887 (7.6% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +17.5%
> Avg. industry salary: $62,348
See all stories featuring: New Jersey
Source: amygdala_imagery / Getty Images
New Mexico: Oil and gas extraction
> Industry GDP contribution: $10.7 billion (11.7% of total)
> Industry workforce: 4,132 (0.3% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +90.6%
> Avg. industry salary: $108,769
See all stories featuring: New Mexico
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Source: ferrantraite / Getty Images
New York: Monetary Authorities- central bank, credit intermediation, and related services
> Industry GDP contribution: $100.0 billion (7.1% of total)
> Industry workforce: 164,781 (1.5% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: -14.1%
> Avg. industry salary: $153,307
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Source: asiseeit / Getty Images
North Carolina: Monetary Authorities- central bank, credit intermediation, and related services
> Industry GDP contribution: $21.7 billion (4.5% of total)
> Industry workforce: 89,604 (1.9% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: -19.6%
> Avg. industry salary: $105,180
See all stories featuring: North Carolina
Source: grandriver / Getty Images
North Dakota: Oil and gas extraction
> Industry GDP contribution: $4.7 billion (9.4% of total)
> Industry workforce: 2,616 (0.3% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +66.8%
> Avg. industry salary: $134,604
See all stories featuring: North Dakota
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Source: YakobchukOlena / Getty Images
Ohio: Insurance carriers and related activities
> Industry GDP contribution: $25.4 billion (4.3% of total)
> Industry workforce: 109,185 (2.5% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +47.1%
> Avg. industry salary: $77,914
See all stories featuring: Ohio
Source: cstar55 / Getty Images
Oklahoma: Oil and gas extraction
> Industry GDP contribution: $38.6 billion (20.4% of total)
> Industry workforce: 18,001 (1.1% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +94.5%
> Avg. industry salary: $147,769
See all stories featuring: Oklahoma
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Source: franz12 / Getty Images
Oregon: Computer and electronic product manufacturing
> Industry GDP contribution: $16.0 billion (7.8% of total)
> Industry workforce: 37,928 (0.2% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +15.1%
> Avg. industry salary: $135,938
See all stories featuring: Oregon
Source: IvicaNS / Getty Images
Pennsylvania: Broadcasting (except Internet) and telecommunications
> Industry GDP contribution: $45.4 billion (6.5% of total)
> Industry workforce: 35,146 (0.3% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +41.1%
> Avg. industry salary: $88,266
See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania
Source: jacoblund / Getty Images
Rhode Island: Insurance carriers and related activities
> Industry GDP contribution: $2.6 billion (4.9% of total)
> Industry workforce: 9,084 (1.9% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +37.5%
> Avg. industry salary: $85,307
See all stories featuring: Rhode Island
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Source: monkeybusinessimages / Getty Images
South Carolina: Ambulatory health care services
> Industry GDP contribution: $8.4 billion (4.2% of total)
> Industry workforce: 95,109 (5.7% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +32.7%
> Avg. industry salary: $61,990
See all stories featuring: South Carolina
Source: simonkr / Getty Images
South Dakota: Monetary Authorities- central bank, credit intermediation, and related services
> Industry GDP contribution: $4.5 billion (10.0% of total)
> Industry workforce: 16,363 (2.5% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: -29.4%
> Avg. industry salary: $61,357
See all stories featuring: South Dakota
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Source: Rowan Jordan / Getty Images
Tennessee: Ambulatory health care services
> Industry GDP contribution: $16.8 billion (5.4% of total)
> Industry workforce: 152,061 (6.7% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +21.0%
> Avg. industry salary: $65,089
See all stories featuring: Tennessee
Source: dszc / Getty Images
Texas: Oil and gas extraction
> Industry GDP contribution: $197.5 billion (12.2% of total)
> Industry workforce: 75,435 (0.5% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +60.3%
> Avg. industry salary: $191,717
See all stories featuring: Texas
Source: Tempura / Getty Images
Utah: Monetary Authorities- central bank, credit intermediation, and related services
> Industry GDP contribution: $6.8 billion (4.5% of total)
> Industry workforce: 39,226 (2.3% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: -13.8%
> Avg. industry salary: $66,837
See all stories featuring: Utah
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Source: BenAkiba / Getty Images
Vermont: Ambulatory health care services
> Industry GDP contribution: $1.5 billion (5.0% of total)
> Industry workforce: 17,520 (4.7% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +16.8%
> Avg. industry salary: $57,371
See all stories featuring: Vermont
Source: asiseeit / Getty Images
Virginia: Ambulatory health care services
> Industry GDP contribution: $17.2 billion (3.7% of total)
> Industry workforce: 185,513 (5.5% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +20.4%
> Avg. industry salary: $63,554
See all stories featuring: Virginia
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Source: PeopleImages / Getty Images
Washington: Ambulatory health care services
> Industry GDP contribution: $16.7 billion (3.5% of total)
> Industry workforce: 156,003 (4.5% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +28.3%
> Avg. industry salary: $64,501
See all stories featuring: Washington
Source: 6381380 / Getty Images
West Virginia: Oil and gas extraction
> Industry GDP contribution: $5.8 billion (8.4% of total)
> Industry workforce: 2,149 (0.4% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +408.8%
> Avg. industry salary: $93,331
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
Source: undefined undefined / Getty Images
Wisconsin: Insurance carriers and related activities
> Industry GDP contribution: $17.0 billion (5.8% of total)
> Industry workforce: 63,710 (2.4% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +39.0%
> Avg. industry salary: $75,163
See all stories featuring: Wisconsin
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Source: photosbyjim / Getty Images
Wyoming: Oil and gas extraction
> Industry GDP contribution: $4.9 billion (12.8% of total)
> Industry workforce: 3,039 (0.7% of total employment)
> 5 yr. Industry GDP change: +37.0%
> Avg. industry salary: $113,739
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
Methodology
To identify the largest industry in each state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed each state’s industries and their respective GDP contributions from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. All BEA data is as of 2017, the most recent period for which detailed data is available. With only a few exceptions, the largest industry in each state is real estate. In order to identify regional industrial differences, we excluded the real estate sector in our examination. All government sectors were also excluded. Only industries on the same subsector level were included, and as a result, broader categories such as manufacturing, construction and retail were not considered. Employment and wage figures for private employees in each industry came from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages. The QCEW and BEA industry data were aligned according to their North American Industry Classification System codes.
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