Largest Industry in Each State

August 9, 2019 by Mike Sauter

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

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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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

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

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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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

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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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

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

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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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

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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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

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

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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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

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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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

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

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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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

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

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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

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

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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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

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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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

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

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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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

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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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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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

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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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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

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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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

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

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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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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

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

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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

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

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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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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

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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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

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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

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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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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