Mapping America's Largest Employers by State: A Guide to Where the Jobs Are

Every U.S. state has its own economic powerhouse—companies that drive employment, innovation, and local prosperity. When we examine the largest employers by state, a fascinating picture emerges of how America’s workforce is distributed across different industries and regions. Walmart dominates as a global employment force, but the story of who actually employs the most people in each individual state is far more diverse and intriguing.

The Employment Giants Leading America

At the national level, two retail behemoths stand far ahead of the competition. Walmart commands the employment landscape with 2.3 million people on its payroll worldwide, generating over $570 billion in annual revenue. Coming in at a close second is Amazon, which employs approximately 1.3 million workers globally and brings in around $470 billion yearly. Together, these two companies employ more people than the total populations of countries like Uruguay, Mongolia, and Albania—a staggering testament to their scale.

Yet here’s where it gets interesting: despite being the world’s largest employer, Walmart only has 11,700 employees in its home base of Bentonville, Arkansas. Amazon’s workforce, meanwhile, is scattered across numerous locations nationwide, preventing it from claiming the top employer spot in any single state. This distribution fundamentally changed how we need to think about employment concentration by state.

State-by-State Leadership: Who Dominates Each Region

The analysis of largest employers by state reveals that Walmart’s dominance is still formidable—it claims the number-one employer position in 22 states. However, the remaining 28 states feature an extraordinary diversity of industries and company types. The largest employer headquartered in a single state is Albertsons Companies, with a substantial 270,000-person workforce in Idaho, where the company maintains massive grocery operations. In contrast, the smallest top employer is AES Marine Support Services LLC in Alaska, with 1,812 employees serving the oil and gas sector.

Geographically, certain regions show distinct employer patterns. States with strong tourism economies, like Hawaii and Nevada, naturally feature hospitality companies as their largest employers—Kyo-Ya Hotels & Resorts and Station Voteco LLC respectively. Meanwhile, industrial states showcase manufacturing and logistics leaders, reflecting their economic specialties.

Industry Patterns Across the Nation

When examining the landscape of largest employers by state across America, one pattern becomes unmistakable: healthcare, medical research, and related services dominate in approximately 12 states. This includes powerhouses like Mayo Foundation in Minnesota (30,000 employees) and various hospital networks and health systems throughout the country. These medical and research organizations require substantial staff to provide continuous, round-the-clock patient care and cutting-edge research capabilities.

Beyond healthcare, the largest employers span a remarkable range of industries—from creative manufacturing and engineering services to banking, insurance, and specialized logistics. New York’s largest employer is BNY Mellon with 40,000 staff in banking services. Oregon highlights Nike’s presence with 12,600 employees in footwear and athletic apparel. North Carolina features Rich Square Logistics with 200,000 employees managing freight and cargo arrangements—one of the nation’s most significant logistics operations.

This diversity reveals that America’s economic engine runs on far more than just retail. Professional services, industrial supply chains, telecommunications, and government contracting all support millions of American workers through various state-based employers.

Tech, Defense, and Specialized Services

Some of the largest employers by state operate in highly specialized sectors. New Mexico’s top employer is the National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia with 10,000 employees focused on commercial research and engineering. Maryland features URS Federal Services with nearly 40,000 workers in engineering services. These companies often work on cutting-edge projects and defense-related contracts that require highly skilled workforces.

The presence of these specialized employers underscores how state economies have evolved beyond traditional retail and manufacturing into knowledge-based sectors. Colorado’s largest employer, American Medical Response Inc., exemplifies this shift with 27,000 employees in cable and telecommunications services, serving an increasingly digital economy.

Strategies for Job Seekers

For those navigating today’s challenging employment market—where inflation and rising interest rates continue to pressure employment stability—understanding your state’s largest employers can be strategically valuable. These major employers typically offer greater job stability, established HR departments, comprehensive benefits packages, and multiple opportunities for career advancement compared to smaller companies.

If you’re considering a career move or entering the job market, reviewing the largest employers by state in your region is an intelligent first step. Many of these organizations actively recruit talent, particularly if you bring relevant experience within their industry sector. Major employers like hospital systems, technology companies, and large service providers often maintain robust hiring pipelines.

The Future of Employment Distribution

The landscape of largest employers by state continues to evolve as economic conditions shift and industries adapt. What remains constant is that each state’s largest employer tells a story about regional economic specialization, workforce concentration, and growth opportunities. Whether your state’s leader is in healthcare, retail, logistics, or specialized services, these organizations represent the largest pools of stable employment in their regions.

Keeping tabs on your state’s largest employers means staying informed about potential opportunities, industry trends, and the economic forces shaping your local job market. In an era of economic uncertainty, this intelligence can prove invaluable for career planning and long-term financial security.