The largest private employer in every US state
lovemoney staff
09 October 2017
America's major employers
Wonder which firm employs the most staff in each US state? Using a variety of data sources, we round up the largest non-government employer in every US state, from Alabama to Wyoming.
Alabama: Walmart – 38,041 employees
As is the case with 22 other US states, retail colossus Walmart is the biggest employer in Alabama, boasting a total workforce of 38,041. The University of Alabama System comes a close second. The sprawling educational organisation has 36,000 personnel on its books.
Alaska: Providence Health & Services – 4,000 employees
The people who work for Providence Health & Services must count their lucky stars they're in gainful employment at all given Alaska has the highest unemployment rate in the US, which currently stands at a hefty 7.2%. The not-for-profit Catholic healthcare system counts a total of 4,000 staff in the Last Frontier.
Arizona: Walmart – 33,910 employees
Walmart is the largest employer in the Grand Canyon State with a total of 33,910 personnel. In fact, several retailers make up the top 10 biggest employers in Arizona. Supermarket giant Kroger for instance has 21,248 staff in the state, while Albertsons counts a total of 14,490.
Arkansas: Walmart – 53,310 employees
Usual suspect Walmart strikes again. The world's biggest retailer is the main employer in the state of Arkansas with 53,310 employees. In addition to retailers, hospitals and healthcare companies, including UAMS Medical Center and Baptist Health, feature heavily in the state's top 10 largest employers.
California: Walmart – 89,978 employees
Walmart also comes tops in California. The enormous retailer has a workforce of 89,978 in the Golden State. Other leading employers in California range from higher education establishments such as UCLA, to entertainment and leisure firms like The Walt Disney Company.
Colorado: Denver International Airport – 35,000 employees
Boasting America's second-lowest unemployment rate at just 2.4%, the state of Colorado is booming right now. Its largest employer is Denver International Airport. The Mile-High City's hub is the biggest airport in the US by land area and one of the busiest airports in the world.
Connecticut: Yale New Haven Health System – 22,193 employees
Over in the New England state of Connecticut, the Yale-New Haven Health System reigns supreme as the premier employer. A large number of hospitals and clinics are affiliated with the non-profit healthcare system, which has an impressive 2,532 beds at its disposal.
Delaware: Christiana Care Health System –11,100 employees
The tiny state of Delaware has one huge employer that outranks all the others in terms of staff numbers, the Christiana Care Heath System, which has a total of 11,100 employees on its books. The system includes two major hospitals and a comprehensive range of outpatient services.
Florida: Walmart – 108,321 employees
Walmart takes the number one spot in Florida. The mammoth retailer has 108,321 employees in the Sunshine State, its second-largest state workforce after Texas. Other top employers in Florida include Walt Disney World, which has around 70,000 staff, or 'cast members' as the company likes them to be called.
Georgia: Walmart – 59,371 employees
Walmart is also the foremost employer in Georgia with a labour force of 59,371. Several iconic companies make up the list of biggest employers in the state, including Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines and Lockheed Martin.
Hawaii: University of Hawaii – 10,106 employees
The University of Hawaii comes tops in the Aloha State. The renowned higher education institution, which has 10 campuses across the islands of Hawaii, counts a total of 10,106 people in its employ.
Idaho: St. Luke's Health System – 14,538 employees
Idaho's only not-for-profit healthcare system is also the state's chief employer. St. Luke's has a workforce of 14,538 that includes medical and admin staff. Interestingly, several leading tech companies make up the top 10 biggest employers in the state, including Micron Technology and IBM.
Illinois: Walmart – 54,698 employees
Walmart is the largest non-government employer in Illinois by a long-shot with 54,698 staff in the state. In addition to Walmart, a number of major insurance companies feature in the top 10 such as Allstate Insurance and State Farm Mutual Auto Insurance.
Indiana: Walmart – 39,667 employees
No prizes for guessing which firm has the most employees in Indiana. Walmart is number one again with 39,667 personnel in the state. Other large employers in the Rust Belt state, which still has its fair share of heavy industry, include Delphi Automotive and pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly.
Iowa: University of Iowa – 24,598 employees
Like several US states, a higher education establishment is the leading employer in Iowa. The University of Iowa counts 24,598 staff in total. Hot on its heels, Iowa State University is the state's second-largest employer, while Walmart is its third-biggest.
Kansas: Walmart – 20,938 employees
Kansas is another state where Walmart rules the roost. The state's foremost employer has a total of 20,938 personnel. America's first commercial plane was built in Kansas and, fittingly, several aviation companies feature in the top 10 of largest employers, including Cesna Aviation and Spirit Aerosystems.
Kentucky: Walmart – 30,181 employees
Walmart also takes the number one spot in Kentucky. The retailing giant has 30,181 personnel in the Bluegrass State. As well as major retailers, automotive companies such as Toyota and Ford have a strong presence in Kentucky and employ thousands of people in the state.
Louisiana: Walmart – 36,992 employees
Walmart is the leading employer in Louisiana too with a total of 36,992 staff. A slew of healthcare and medical insurance companies feature in the list of top 10 largest employers in the state, along with shipbuilding firm Ingalls.
Maine: Hannaford Supermarkets – 8,500 employees
A supermarket chain comes tops in Maine but it isn't Walmart. Hannaford was founded way back in 1883 in Maine's most populous city Portland and remains the leading supermarket chain in the Pine Tree State.
Maryland: Johns Hopkins Institutions – 51,725 employees
In Maryland, the world-class Johns Hopkins Institutions employ the most people. The institutions include the Johns Hopkins Hospital and Johns Hopkins University, which together form one of the most respected and pioneering research organisations on the planet.
Massachusetts: Partners Healthcare – 68,000 employees
Partners Healthcare is the premier employer in the state of Massachusetts. The Boston-based non-profit network includes two of America's most revered medical research and teaching establishments, Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Michigan: University of Michigan – 48,060 employees
At one time, auto industry firms such as GM and Ford were the largest employers in the state of Michigan. Not any more. These days, the state's eponymous university has more staff than any other organisation in Michigan, with a total of 48,060 personnel.
Minnesota: Mayo Clinic – 34,562 employees
The prestigious Mayo Clinic is the largest employer in Minnesota. Regarded as one of the best companies to work for in the US, the non-profit medical practice and research institution has a total of 34,562 employees in the state.
Mississippi: Walmart – 24,898 employees
Back to Walmart. The all-reaching retailer has a workforce of 24,898 in Mississippi, making it the biggest employer in the state. Other key Mississippi employers include Nissan North America, which operates a major assembly plant in Canton.
Missouri: Walmart – 43,203 employees
Surprise, surprise, Walmart is the largest employer in Missouri with a total of 43,203 staff on its books. A variety of companies make up the rest of the top 10 of biggest employers, from Boeing to supermarket chain Schnucks.
Montana: Walmart – 4,776 employees
Again, Walmart is numero uno in Montana. The retailer has 4,776 personnel in the sparsely-populated state. Other big-name employers in Montana include Glacier Bankcorp, UPS, Costco and Albertsons.
Nebraska: University of Nebraska – 16,157 employees
The University of Nebraska is the largest employer in the Cornhusk State with a workforce of 16,157. The university comprises four interdisciplinary institutions that offer courses in everything from medicine to the liberal arts.
Nevada: MGM Resorts International – 55,200 employees
Nevada is synonymous with legal gambling, so it's hardly surprising a gaming resort employs the most people in the state. MGM Resorts International, which includes the MGM Grand, New York-New York and Bellagio has a staff of 55,200 in Nevada.
New Hampshire: Walmart – 8,284 employees
Walmart is king in New Hampshire. The massive retailer has a total of 8,284 employees here. Hospitals and higher education institutions such as the University of New Hampshire are also major employers in the state.
New Jersey: Wakefern Food Corporation – 35,000 employees
New Jersey's Wakefern Food Corporation is America's biggest co-op supermarket group and the largest employer in state with 35,000 personnel. The firm operates more than 300 stores and has been named as one of the best companies to work for in the state.
New Mexico: University of New Mexico – 33,390 employees
Securing a job in New Mexico is more of a challenge than in most US states as the state has the second-highest unemployment rate in the country at 6.3%. The largest employer in New Mexico is the state's eponymous university, which counts 33,390 employees.
New York: State University of New York system – 90,033 employees
Up in New York, the state's university system also comes tops in terms of staff numbers. Its universities, colleges and community colleges have a total enrolment of 465,000 students and 1.1 million adult education learners.
North Carolina: University of North Carolina system – 74,079 employees
Likewise, the state university system is the premier employer in the North Carolina. The higher education institution consists of 16 public universities as well as the distinguished NC School of Science and Mathematics.
North Dakota: Sanford Health – 10,581 employees
Landing a job in North Dakota is likely to be a breeze. The state boasts the lowest unemployment rate in the US at just 2.3%. Its largest employer is Sanford Health. The state's biggest medical facility, it has 10,581 staff in its employ.
Ohio: Walmart – 50,481 employees
Back again to Walmart. The all-encompassing retailer is the biggest employer in the state of Ohio with a total of 50,481 employees. Other major employers include the Cleveland Clinic Health System and retailer Kroger.
Oklahoma: Walmart – 34,014 employees
Walmart is the most significant employer in Oklahoma too. Its staff numbers stand at 34,014 in the state. A wide variety of employers feature in the top 10, from the University of Oklahoma to INTEGRIS Health.
Oregon: Providence Health & Services – 21,000+ employees
The not-for-profit Catholic healthcare system takes the number one spot in Oregon. Providence Health & Services has more than 21,000 personnel in the northwestern state working in 27 hospitals and numerous other medical facilities.
Pennsylvania: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center – 61,000 employees
Over in Pennsylvania, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center comes tops with a total of 61,000 staff. Other major employers in the Keystone State include Walmart and the University of Pennsylvania.
Rhode Island: Lifespan system of hospitals – 14,000 employees
The smallest state in the US has one major employer that outdoes the rest when it comes to personnel numbers. The Lifespan system of hospitals is the state's biggest healthcare system and counts 14,000 employees.
South Carolina: Walmart – 32,267 employees
Walmart is the primary employer in the state of South Carolina with a total of 32,267 staff. Medical and higher education establishments such as Greenville Memorial Hospital are also major employers in the state.
South Dakota: Avera Health – 12,187 employees
Avera Health, which is based in Sioux Falls, is the largest employer in South Dakota. The system looks after the healthcare needs of more than a million people and is made up of more than 300 locations.
Tennessee: Walmart – 41,487 employees
The principal employer in Tennessee, Walmart has 41,487 personnel in the state. A number of other major companies have a strong presence in the Volunteer State, including FedEx, which has a workforce of more than 30,000 in the Memphis area.
Texas: Walmart – 171,531 employees
Texas has the largest number of Walmart employees in any state with a grand total of 171,531. Walmart isn't the only firm with a massive workforce in the state. Other big players include Shell, Texas A&M and Dell.
Utah: Intermountain Healthcare – 38,000 employees
This Salt Lake City-based not-for-profit healthcare system is the chief provider of healthcare services in Utah, and also the state's number one employer – the system has an impressive 38,000 staff in Utah.
Vermont: The University of Vermont Medical Center – 7,860 employees
The largest employer in the state of Vermont, the University of Vermont Medical Center provides a wealth of medical services to people in Vermont and the northern part of New York State. It counts a total of 7,860 personnel.
Virginia: Walmart – 44,621 employees
In Virginia, Walmart comes tops. The retail leviathan has 44,621 staff in the state. Other key employers in Virginia include shipbuilding firm Huntington Ingalls Industries, Lab Corp medical laboratories and Winchester's Heart & Vascular Institute.
Washington: Boeing – 71,036 employees
Boeing was incorporated in Seattle back in 1916, and the aerospace and defence firm operates a major plant in Puget Sound, making it Washington State's largest employer – the company has a total of 71,036 personnel in the state.
West Virginia: Walmart – 12,321 employees
Walmart is the leading employer in West Virginia with a total workforce of 12,321 in the state. Other top employers include the West Virginia Health System, Mylan Pharmaceuticals and retailer Kroger.
Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin – 39,000 employees
One of America's largest higher education systems, the University of Wisconsin encompasses 26 campuses dotted throughout the state. All in all, the university system employs 39,000 academic and non-academic staff.
Wyoming: Walmart – 4,699 employees
In Wyoming, Walmart comes first. It has a total workforce of 4,699 in the Equality State. A number of other major employers make up the top 10, including the state's university system and Rio Tinto Energy.
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