Get All Access for $5/mo

You're More Likely to Get Laid Off If You Work in One of These Industries, Study Finds According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these 10 industries have the highest rates of layoffs.

By Madeline Garfinkle Edited by Jessica Thomas

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Nothing is ever guaranteed, but when it comes to a job, some industries are safer than others.

Job marketplace Outsource Accelerator found the worst and best industries for job security by analyzing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Jobs in the arts, entertainment and recreation field have the worst job security, with an average layoff rate of 2.98% in 2022. Based on the number of people employed in those industries, that's nearly 69,400 layoffs per month, according to the report.

Next on the list is the construction industry, with a layoff rate of 1.8% in 2022, equating to 139,200 layoffs on average per month.

Related: The Portfolio Life: A Surprising Route to Job Security

Professional and business services have the third-highest rate of layoffs at an average of 1.56%. However, because this category encompasses many industries (accounting, engineering, computer services, etc.), it has the highest number of layoffs per month with an average of 353,000. The total number of people working in this category is about 22.6 million.

As far as the industry with the most security, jobs in the federal government have the lowest rate of layoffs with an average of 0.22%. With recession fears looming, it's not a bad time to work a government job. You can see the top 10 least secure industries below.

Industry

Average number of layoffs per month

Layoff rate

1.

Arts, entertainment and recreation

69,400

2.98%

2.

Construction

139,200

1.80%

3.

Professional and business services

353,200

1.56%

4.

Information

33,800

1.12%

5.

Other services

61,000

1.06%

6.

Transportation, warehousing and utilities

78,000

1.08%

7.

Nondurable goods manufacturing

48,000

0.98%

8.

Mining and logging

5,000

0.78%

9.

Accommodation and food services

112,400

0.82%

10.

Real estate and rental and leasing

17,800

0.78%

Madeline Garfinkle

News Writer

Madeline Garfinkle is a News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate from Syracuse University, and received an MFA from Columbia University. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Business Process

How CEOs Can Take Control of Their Emails and Achieve Inbox Zero

Although there are many methodologies that leaders can use to manage their emails effectively, a consistent and thought-through process is the most effective way to systemize and respond to emails and is a step of stewardship for the effective leader.

Business News

Former Steve Jobs Intern Says This Is How He Would Have Approached AI

The former intern is now the CEO of AI and data company DataStax.

Marketing

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

Are you tired of enduring dull presentations? Over the years, I have compiled a list of common presentation mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are my top five tips.

Science & Technology

5 Automation Strategies Every Small Business Should Follow

It's time we make IT automation work for us: streamline processes, boost efficiency and drive growth with the right tools and strategy.