Immigrants now represent 18.1% of the US workforce

Attention all job seekers! Did you know that immigrants now represent 18.1% of the US workforce? That’s right, according to the US Department of Labor, in 2022, people born outside of the US made up a significant portion of the country’s workforce, up from 17.4% in 2021.

With a growing shortage of labor in the US, companies are turning to immigrants to fill the gap. In fact, in April 2023, there were approximately 9.6 million job openings in the US, but only 5.7 million unemployed individuals. This means that immigrants are in high demand and have a greater chance of being employed in service, natural resources, construction, maintenance, production, transportation, and material handling occupations.

While immigrants may have a higher chance of being employed in certain occupations, they do earn slightly less than their US-born counterparts. According to the Department of Labor, the average weekly earnings for full-time workers born outside of the US was $945 in 2022 (approximately R$18,900 per month), compared to $1,087 for US-born workers (R$21,700 per month). However, this difference in earnings can be attributed to factors such as education level, occupation, industry, and geographic region.

So, if you’re an immigrant looking for work in the US, don’t be discouraged by the slight difference in earnings. With a growing demand for labor, there are plenty of opportunities available. And for companies looking to fill job openings, consider hiring immigrants who bring a diverse set of skills and experiences to the table. Let’s continue to embrace the strength and contributions of immigrants in the US workforce.