Worker Demographics
Throughout the Chartbook, work-related injury, illness, and fatality data for U.S. workers are presented relative to their age, sex, race/ethnicity, occupation, and industry. To provide some perspective on the employed population, these demographic data are included for employed persons from the 2001 CPS [BLS 2001].
In 2001, most U.S. workers (nearly 71.4%) fell within the prime working ages of 25 to 54; 15% were younger than 25, and 13.6% were 55 or older (Table 1–1). By 2010, the baby boom generation will reach the ages of 45–64, and middle and older age groups in the labor force will outnumber younger workers (Figure 1–1).
Male workers represented more than half (53.4%) of the working population in 2001: white male workers accounted for 54.2% of all white workers, and Hispanic male workers represented 58.1% of all Hispanic workers (Table 1–2). Black male workers accounted for slightly fewer than half of all black workers (46.7%). Though male workers accounted for a larger share of jobs in 2001, their distribution in the labor force is projected to decrease to 52.1% in 2010. With corresponding increases for female workers, women are projected to account for 47.9% of the labor force in 2010 (Figure 1–2).
In 2001, white workers accounted for 83.8% of the civilian labor force, black workers for 11.3%, and Hispanic workers for 10.9% [BLS 2001]. As the number of white workers decreases, BLS projects corresponding job growth for minority groups: black workers are projected to account for 12.7% of the labor force and Asian and other workers for 6.1% by 2010 (Figure 1–3). The percentage of Hispanic workers is projected to more than double during this period, increasing from 5.7% in 1980 to 13.3% in 2010 (Figure 1–4).
Data for 2001 indicate that two major occupational groups (managerial and professional specialty; and technical, sales, and administrative support) account for more than 60% of employed persons in the United States (Table 1–3). The percentage of female workers is smallest in precision production, craft, and repair jobs (8.7%) and greatest in technical, sales, and administrative support (63.7%). The percentage of black workers is smallest in farming, forestry, and fishing (5.0%) and greatest in public administration (16.2%). The percentage of Hispanic workers is smallest in the managerial and professional specialty group (5.1%) and greatest in farming, forestry, and fishing (21.5%). BLS projects employment to increase by 22 million workers by 2010, with the largest numbers of workers employed in professional and related occupations and service (Figure 1–5).
Among industry sectors, services employed the most workers in 2001 (37.4% of the labor force, or 50.5 million workers), followed by retail trade (16.7%) and manufacturing (14.0%) (Table 1–4). BLS estimates that these industrial sectors will have the greatest growth between 2000 and 2010: employment will increase to 52.2 million for services and to 34.2 million for wholesale and retail trade (Figure 1–6). As shown in Table 1–4, the high-risk industries of agriculture, mining, and construction accounted for only 9.8% of employed workers. Construction and mining contained the smallest percentages of female workers (9.7% and 14.6%, respectively), and the services sector contained the largest (62.1%). Forestry and fisheries contained the smallest percentage of black workers (1.7%), and public administration contained the largest (16.2%). Forestry and fisheries also contained the smallest percentage of Hispanic workers (5.1%), and agriculture contained the largest (20.3%).
The BLS estimated that the labor force consisted of 135 million employed workers in 2001, a figure projected to increase by 17 million during the next decade [BLS 2002a]. How the characteristics of the labor force will affect future rates of fatal and nonfatal injuries and illnesses is unclear. However, a review of these characteristics is useful for understanding changes in the demographic composition of at-risk populations and for predicting occupations and industries that will experience future job growth. The data presented here are based on annual estimates and projections produced by the CPS of the BLS [BLS 2001].
Age
How did employed U.S. workers differ by age in 2001?
 | Table 1-1 Number and distribution of employed U.S. workers by age, 2001. U.S. workers aged 25-54 accounted for 96.5 million workers in 2001, or 71.5% of all employed U.S. workers. (Source: BLS [2001].) |
How did the labor force differ by age?
 | Figure 1-1 Distribution of the civilian labor force by age, 1980-2000 and projected to 2010. Since 1980, the age distribution of the labor force has shifted. By 2010, middle and older age groups in the labor force will outnumber younger workers. (Sources: BLS [2002a]; Fullerton and Toossi [2001].) |
Sex
How did the labor force differ by sex of worker?
 | Table 1-2 Number and distribution of employed white, black, and Hispanic workers by sex, 2001. Overall, more male workers (53.4%) than female workers (46.6%) were employed in 2001, though 53.3% of all employed black workers were female; 41.9% of all employed Hispanic workers were female. (Source: BLS [2001].) |
 | Figure 1-2 Distribution of the civilian labor force by sex, 1980-2000 and projected to 2010. The labor force participation of male workers is projected to decrease from 57% in 1980 to 52% in 2010. Corresponding increases are shown for female workers, who are projected to account for 48% of the labor force in 2010. (Sources: BLS [2002a]; Fullerton and Toossi [2001].) |
Race/Ethnicity
How did the labor force differ by race/ethnicity during 1980–2000 and what is the projection for 2010?
 | Figure 1-3 Distribution of the civilian labor force by race, 1980-2000 and projected to 2010. The labor force participation of black workers and Asian and other workers has increased since 1980, with black workers projected to account for 12.7% of the labor force and Asian and other workers for 6.1% by 2010. Corresponding decreases are shown for white workers, whose labor force participation is projected to decline to 81.2% by 2010. (Sources: BLS [2002a]; Fullerton and Toossi [2001].) |
How did the labor force differ by Hispanic and non-Hispanic ethnicity during 1980–2000 and what is the projection for 2010?
 | Figure 1-4 Distribution of the civilian labor force by Hispanic and non-Hispanic ethnicity, 1980-2000 and projected to 2010. The percentage of Hispanic workers is projected to more than double during this period, increasing from 5.7% in 1980 to 13.3% in 2010. Corresponding decreases are shown for non-Hispanic white workers and other than Hispanic workers. (Sources: BLS [2002a]; Fullerton and Toossi [2001].) |
Occupation
Which occupational groups employed the most workers in 2001?
 | Table 1-3 Number of employed workers by major occupational group and percentage of female, black, and Hispanic workers, 2001. Two occupational groups (managerial and professional specialty; and technical, sales, and administrative support) employed 60% of all workers (or 80.9 million workers). Female workers accounted for nearly half (46.6%) of all employed workers and more than half of workers in technical, sales, and administrative support (63.7%) and in service occupations (60.4%). Black workers accounted for 11.3% of all workers, and service occupations had the greatest proportion of black workers (17.9%). Hispanic workers accounted for 10.3% of all workers, and farming, forestry, and fishing had the greatest proportion of Hispanic workers (21.5%). (Source: BLS [2001].) |
What changes are expected during 2001–2010?
 | Figure 1-5 Employment by major occupational group, 2000 and projected to 2010. BLS projects employment to increase by 22 million workers (to a total of 167.7 million) over the period 2000 to 2010. The largest numbers of workers will be employed in professional and related occupations and service. BLS estimates that these occupational groups will experience the greatest growth between 2000 and 2010, with employment increasing to 33.7 million for professional and related occupations and 31.2 million for service occupations. (Source: BLS [2002a].) |
Industry
Which industries employed the most workers in 2001?
 | Table 1-4 Number of employed workers by major industry sector and percentage of female, black, and Hispanic workers, 2001. Most workers (71.9%, or 97.1 million) were employed by the services, wholesale and retail trade, and manufacturing sectors. Female workers accounted for nearly half of all workers (46.6%) and for more than half the workers in services; finance, insurance, and real estate; and retail trade. Black workers accounted for 11.3% of all workers, but public administration and transportation and public utilities had the greatest proportions of black workers (16.2% and 15.8%, respectively). Hispanic workers accounted for 10.9% of all workers, but agriculture and construction had the greatest proportions of Hispanic workers (20.3% and 15.8%, respectively). (Source: BLS [2001].) |
What changes are expected during 2000–2010?
 | Figure 1-6 Employment by major industry division, 1990, 2000, and projected to 2010. BLS projects employment to increase by 22 million workers (to a total of 167.7 million) during 2000-2010. The largest numbers of workers will be employed in the services and wholesale and retail trade sectors. BLS estimates that these industrial sectors will have the greatest growth between 2000 and 2010, with employment increasing to 52.2 million for services and 34.2 million for wholesale and retail trade. (Source: BLS [2002a].) |
Fastest Growing Occupations
Which occupations will have the most rapid growth during 2000–2010?
 | Figure 1-7 Occupations projected to have the most rapid growth during the period 2000-2010. The fastest growing occupations are computer- and health-care-related jobs. The numbers of computer software engineers and support specialists are expected to increase 100% and 97%, respectively. The numbers of medical and physician assistants are expected to increase 57% and 53%, respectively. (Sources: BLS [2002a]; Hecker [2001].) |
Which occupations are expected to add the most jobs during 2000–2010?
 | Figure 1-8 Occupations expected to add the most jobs during 2000-2010. Service- and computer-related jobs are expected to predominate during 2000-2010. These include food preparation workers, customer service representatives, registered nurses, and retail sales representatives. (Sources: BLS [2002a]; Hecker [2001].) |
