🏛️ U.S. Government Employees Have the Highest Union Membership Rates

What We’re Showing

This chart shows the rate of union membership of those employed per industry in America. Data for this graphic is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023).

Key Takeaways

• Nearly 2 out of 5 local government employees are in a union, the highest rate across American industries, as classified by the BLS
• A significant portion of these employees are police, as protective services have one of the highest unionization rates (32%) by occupation
• In eight out of the top 10 sectors by union membership rate, union employees out-earn non-union employees
• Finally, "professional" industries—accounting, legal, tech, and finance—have the lowest rates of union membership (1%)