As the post-COVID recovery began last year, unemployment fell sharply. August 2021 saw 235,000 more people employed than in the previous month, prompting the unemployment rate to drop to 5.2%, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The trend has continued, with the BLS reporting a rate of just 3.6% this June.

Unfortunately, low unemployment doesn't mean that all the vacancies have been filled. The truth of the matter is that there are simply fewer workers, with labor force participation remaining below pre-pandemic levels. Many of those who lost or left their jobs during the pandemic haven't come back. In the case of three million older adults, for instance, the pandemic was the perfect reason for taking early retirement.

Many companies are offering very attractive perks to attract new recruits, from big joining bonuses to early promotion. This trend has contributed to record resignations as people leave their current jobs, whether to make the most of the benefits other businesses offer, to find an industry that's potentially pandemic-proof, or to have a change of scene after burning out in the past two years.

According to a report this June from the US Chamber of Commerce, there are approximately 11.4 million job openings but just six million unemployed workers. That's a severe shortfall.

Let's take a look at the worst-affected sectors.

Labor shortages in America right now