Consumer services is a broad sector that includes various industries such as retail, hospitality, entertainment, health care, education, and personal services. Consumer services provide goods and services directly to consumers, rather than to businesses or other organizations.
In this blog post, we will explore how many jobs are available in consumer services, what factors influence the demand and supply of consumer services, and what skills and qualifications are needed to work in consumer services.
Employment Trends in Consumer Services
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), consumer services employed about 85.5 million workers in the United States in 2020, accounting for 56.4% of total nonfarm employment. Consumer services is one of the largest and most diverse sectors of the economy, encompassing a wide range of occupations and industries.
The demand for consumer services is largely driven by consumer spending, preferences, and needs. As the economy recovers from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, consumer services are expected to see a growth in employment opportunities. The BLS projects that consumer services will add 6.8 million jobs from 2020 to 2030, representing a 7.9% increase. This is slightly higher than the projected growth rate of 7.7% for all occupations.
However, the growth rate of consumer services varies by industry and occupation. Some industries, such as health care and social assistance, are projected to grow faster than others, such as retail trade and leisure and hospitality. Similarly, some occupations, such as registered nurses and personal care aides, are projected to have more job openings than others, such as cashiers and food servers.
Education and Skills Requirements for Consumer Services
To work in consumer services, one may need different levels of education, training, and skills, depending on the specific industry and occupation. Some jobs require a high school diploma or less, while others require a postsecondary degree or certification. Some jobs require customer service skills, communication skills, and problem-solving skills, while others require technical skills, physical skills, or artistic skills.
For example, to work as a cashier in a retail store, one may only need a high school diploma or equivalent and basic math and computer skills. To work as a registered nurse in a hospital, one may need a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a state license. To work as a hairdresser in a salon, one may need a certificate or diploma from a cosmetology school and a state license.
Consumer services offer a wide range of career options for people with different interests, abilities, and goals. Whether one wants to work in a store, a restaurant, a hospital, a school, or a salon, there is likely a job available in consumer services that suits one’s needs and aspirations.
Conclusion
Consumer services is a large and diverse sector that provides goods and services directly to consumers. Consumer services employed about 85.5 million workers in the United States in 2020 and are projected to add 6.8 million jobs from 2020 to 2030.
Consumer services require different levels of education, training, and skills depending on the industry and occupation. Consumer services offer many career opportunities for people with various interests and goals.
