Walmart Nation: Mapping the Largest Employers in the U.S.

Summary

This video explores the largest employers in each U.S. state, revealing that government and military are dominant except in New York City. Private sector analysis shows healthcare and education as leading employers, with Walmart emerging as the largest private employer nationwide with over 1.5 million employees. The company's growth aligns with southern population booms, making it a significant employer in states like Arkansas. Despite retail sector changes, Walmart remains a top employer, with Amazon as the second largest but unlikely to surpass Walmart due to its reliance on contract workers and automation.

Takeaways

• 🏢 The federal and state government are the top employers in almost every U.S. state.
• 🌆 In New York, the city's municipal government is the largest employer in the state.
• 👮‍♂️ When including military employment, 8 states have more active personnel than any single private employer.
• 🏥 Excluding government and military, health care and education are top employers in many states.
• 🏛️ In states where a university is a top employer, health care facilities often contribute significantly to the workforce.
• 🚗 General Motors is the top employer in Michigan, reflecting regional industries.
• 🎰 MGM Resorts is the largest employer in Nevada, highlighting the importance of the hospitality industry in the state.
• 🛒 Walmart is the largest private employer in the U.S. with over 1.5 million employees.
• 📈 Walmart's growth is closely tied to the population boom in the southern states.
• 🏰 Arkansas has the most Walmart locations per capita and the company employs 4% of the state's total workforce.
• 🛍️ Despite changes in the retail sector, Walmart remains the world's largest company by revenue and a top employer.
• 📦 Amazon, the e-commerce giant, is the nation's second-largest employer but is unlikely to surpass Walmart in the near term due to reliance on contract workers and automation.

Q & A

What are the largest employers in each U.S. state?

The largest employers in each U.S. state are typically federal and state governments, with the exception of New York where the city's municipal government is the largest employer.

Which state has more active military personnel than any single private employer?

When military employment is included, eight states have more active personnel than any single private employer.

What are the top employers in the private sector across the U.S.?

Health care and education are top employers in the private sector in many states, with a significant portion of employees often coming from affiliated health care facilities.

Which company is the top employer in Michigan?

General Motors is the top employer in Michigan.

How many people does MGM Resorts employ in Nevada?

MGM Resorts employs over 55,000 people in Nevada.

What is the most evident trend regarding employment in the U.S.?

The most evident trend is the dominance of Walmart as the largest private employer in many states.

How many employees does Walmart have in the U.S.?

Walmart has over 1.5 million employees in the U.S. alone.

What percentage of America's total private sector workforce does Walmart's U.S. workforce represent?

Walmart's U.S. workforce is equivalent to one percent of America's total private sector workforce.

How many stores does Walmart have across the U.S.?

Walmart has over 5,300 stores across the U.S.

How has Walmart's growth impacted employment in the southern states?

Walmart's growth went hand-in-hand with a population boom across the south, leading to the company dominating employment in those states.

What is the significance of Walmart's presence in its home state of Arkansas?

In Arkansas, Walmart employs four percent of the state's total workforce, and nearly one-third of the state's retail employees work for Walmart.

How does Amazon's employment compare to Walmart's?

Amazon is the nation's second-largest employer, but its reliance on contract workers and automation is likely to keep its employee count below Walmart's in the near term.