If you have driven the nation’s highways recently or spent any time in downtown America, you have seen the “We’re hiring” signs in front of stores, office buildings, supermarkets, and warehouses. At many of America’s largest public employers, hiring is brisk. (These are states with the largest drop in unemployment.)
To identify the 100 largest public employers in America, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed total employment figures at the top 1,000 companies from Fortune 500. Worldwide employment for 2020 and 2021 as well as revenue figures for 2021 also came from Fortune.
The U.S. job market seems very strong. The unemployment rate has fallen to 3.6% in March, and the number of job openings in the U.S. stood at a near-record 11.3 million at the end of February, according to the latest report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Of the top 10 public employers in the United States, eight increased hiring from 2020 to 2021. (These are states where job openings are surging.)
Many of America’s biggest employers are recovering from the pandemic-induced job reductions. Certain sectors, such as home improvement with companies like Home Depot and Lowe’s and delivery services, including UPS and FedEx, have seen a surge in employment.
America’s biggest employer, Walmart, added 100,000 workers to raise its total employees to 2.3 million in 2021. Walmart is the largest employer in 19 states, including every Southern state except North Carolina.
E-commerce powerhouse Amazon, founded in 1994, boosted employment by more than 62% to about 1.3 million workers in 2021. The Seattle-based company employs most of them in Washington state and California.
Companies in customer-facing sectors such as hospitality (Marriott, Hilton), retail (Macy’s, Best Buy), airlines (Delta, United), and food (Darden, Yum) that were hurt the most during the pandemic and lowered headcount but still made the list.
Click here to see the largest public employers in America
Source: JHVEPhoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
50. Johnson & Johnson
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 134,500
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 132,200
> 2021 revenue: $82.58 billion — #36 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $432.69 billion
[in-text-ad]
Source: Sundry Photography / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
49. Oracle
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 135,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 136,000
> 2021 revenue: $39.07 billion — #80 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $202.34 billion
Source: 400tmax / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
48. Alphabet
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 135,301
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 118,899
> 2021 revenue: $182.53 billion — #9 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $1.393 trillion
Source: Chris Graythen / Getty Images
47. DXC Technology
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 138,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 130,000
> 2021 revenue: $19.58 billion — #152 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $7.96 billion
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: RiverNorthPhotography / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
46. Tyson Foods
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 139,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 141,000
> 2021 revenue: $43.19 billion — #73 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $27.10 billion
Source: nycshooter / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
44. Boeing
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 141,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 161,100
> 2021 revenue: $58.16 billion — #54 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $148.66 billion
[in-text-ad]
Source: tupungato / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
44. Hilton
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 141,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 173,000
> 2021 revenue: $4.31 billion — #596 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $33.57 billion
Source: Eric Thayer / Getty Images News via Getty Images
43. Apple
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 147,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 137,000
> 2021 revenue: $274.52 billion — #3 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $2050.67 billion
Source: JHVEPhoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
42. General Motors
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 155,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 164,000
> 2021 revenue: $122.49 billion — #22 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $82.79 billion
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: hapabapa / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
40. Dell Technologies
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 158,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 165,000
> 2021 revenue: $94.22 billion — #28 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $67.23 billion
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
40. Dollar General
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 158,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 143,000
> 2021 revenue: $33.75 billion — #91 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $48.48 billion
[in-text-ad]
Source: lcva2 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
39. Microsoft
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 163,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 144,000
> 2021 revenue: $143.02 billion — #15 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $1.778 trillion
24/7 Wall St.
Source: SweetBabeeJay / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
38. Comcast
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 168,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 190,000
> 2021 revenue: $103.56 billion — #26 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $247.86 billion
Source: JamesReillyWilson / iStock via Getty Images
37. Lear
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 174,600
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 164,100
> 2021 revenue: $17.05 billion — #179 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $10.90 billion
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: njpPhoto / Getty Images
36. Darden Restaurants
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 177,895
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 184,514
> 2021 revenue: $7.81 billion — #377 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $18.51 billion
Source: in / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
35. Raytheon Technologies
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 181,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 243,200
> 2021 revenue: $56.59 billion — #57 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $117.14 billion
[in-text-ad]
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
34. General Electric
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 184,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 205,000
> 2021 revenue: $79.62 billion — #38 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $115.34 billion
24/7 Wall St.
Source: TennesseePhotographer / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
33. Ford Motor
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 186,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 190,000
> 2021 revenue: $127.14 billion — #21 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $48.74 billion
32. McDonald’s
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 200,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 205,000
> 2021 revenue: $19.21 billion — #157 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $167.11 billion
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Bastiaan Slabbers / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
31. Walt Disney
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 203,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 223,000
> 2021 revenue: $65.39 billion — #50 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $334.95 billion
30. Aramark
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 209,325
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 233,400
> 2021 revenue: $12.83 billion — #235 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $9.60 billion
[in-text-ad]
Source: _ultraforma_ / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
29. Citigroup
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 210,153
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 200,000
> 2021 revenue: $88.84 billion — #33 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $151.81 billion
24/7 Wall St.
Source: artran / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
28. Bank of America
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 212,505
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 208,131
> 2021 revenue: $93.75 billion — #29 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $333.79 billion
27. Costco Wholesale
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 214,500
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 201,500
> 2021 revenue: $166.76 billion — #12 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $155.98 billion
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: JHVEPhoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
26. Publix Super Markets
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 227,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 207,000
> 2021 revenue: $45.20 billion — #69 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $ billion
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
25. AT&T
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 230,760
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 247,800
> 2021 revenue: $171.76 billion — #11 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $215.88 billion
[in-text-ad]
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
24. HCA Healthcare
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 235,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 245,000
> 2021 revenue: $51.53 billion — #62 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $63.46 billion
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
23. Jabil
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 240,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 200,000
> 2021 revenue: $27.27 billion — #104 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $7.83 billion
Source: danielvfung / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
22. JPMorgan Chase
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 255,351
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 256,981
> 2021 revenue: $129.50 billion — #19 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $464.53 billion
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Sundry Photography / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
21. CVS Health
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 256,500
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 290,000
> 2021 revenue: $268.71 billion — #4 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $98.65 billion
Source: Sundry Photography / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
20. Wells Fargo
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 268,531
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 259,800
> 2021 revenue: $80.30 billion — #37 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $161.52 billion
[in-text-ad]
Source: hapabapa / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
19. Albertsons
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 270,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 267,000
> 2021 revenue: $62.46 billion — #52 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $8.88 billion
18. Yum China Holdings
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 271,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 450,000
> 2021 revenue: $8.26 billion — #363 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $24.89 billion
Source: Sundry Photography / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
17. Walgreens Boots Alliance
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 277,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 287,000
> 2021 revenue: $139.54 billion — #16 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $47.46 billion
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
16. TD Synnex
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 277,900
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 240,900
> 2021 revenue: $24.68 billion — #117 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $5.87 billion
Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images News via Getty Images
15. Lowe’s
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 280,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 260,000
> 2021 revenue: $89.60 billion — #31 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $136.41 billion
[in-text-ad]
14. Cognizant Technology Solutions
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 289,500
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 292,500
> 2021 revenue: $16.65 billion — #185 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $41.45 billion
Source: Joe Raedle / Getty Images News via Getty Images
13. PepsiCo
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 291,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 267,000
> 2021 revenue: $70.37 billion — #44 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $195.21 billion
Source: David McNew / Getty Images
12. TJX
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 320,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 286,000
> 2021 revenue: $32.14 billion — #97 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $79.77 billion
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Wolterk / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
11. UnitedHealth Group
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 330,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 325,000
> 2021 revenue: $257.14 billion — #5 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $351.73 billion
Source: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images News via Getty Images
10. Starbucks
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 349,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 346,000
> 2021 revenue: $23.52 billion — #125 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $128.64 billion
[in-text-ad]
Source: krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
9. Berkshire Hathaway
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 360,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 391,500
> 2021 revenue: $245.51 billion — #6 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $587.82 billion
Source: Sundry Photography / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
8. IBM
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 364,800
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 383,800
> 2021 revenue: $73.62 billion — #42 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $119.08 billion
Source: 100pk / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
7. UPS
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 408,255
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 377,640
> 2021 revenue: $84.63 billion — #35 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $147.79 billion
[in-text-ad-2]
6. Target
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 409,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 368,000
> 2021 revenue: $93.56 billion — #30 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $98.76 billion
Source: Teka77 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
5. FedEx
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 418,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 389,500
> 2021 revenue: $69.22 billion — #45 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $75.37 billion
[in-text-ad]
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
4. Kroger
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 465,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 435,000
> 2021 revenue: $132.50 billion — #17 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $27.06 billion
3. Home Depot
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 504,800
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 415,700
> 2021 revenue: $132.11 billion — #18 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $328.78 billion
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
2. Amazon
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 1,298,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 798,000
> 2021 revenue: $386.06 billion — #2 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $1.558 trillion
[in-text-ad-2]
1. Walmart
> Worldwide employees, 2021: 2,300,000
> Worldwide employees, 2020: 2,200,000
> 2021 revenue: $559.15 billion — #1 in Fortune 500
> Market value as of Mar 31, 2021: $382.64 billion
Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With An Advisor Now (Sponsored)
Are you ready for retirement? Planning for retirement can be overwhelming, that’s why it could be a good idea to speak to a fiduciary financial advisor about your goals today.
Start by taking this retirement quiz right here from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes. Smart Asset is now matching over 50,000 people a month.
Click here now to get started.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
