# Which jobs shrank and grew the most since 2012?

Data story. Markdown version of https://futurehistory.earth/trends/jobs-that-shrank-and-grew

Between May 2012 and May 2025, BLS OEWS counts fell for 145 and rose for 249 of the 394 jobs we can compare like for like. Retail salespersons lost the most: 4,340,000 in May 2012 and 3,897,860 in May 2025. BLS changed how it estimates these counts in May 2021, so part of a change across that year can come from the method rather than the work.

Data as of: BLS OEWS May 2012 and May 2025.

## Lost the most jobs, May 2012 to May 2025

| Rank | Job | Jobs, May 2012 | Jobs, May 2025 | Change in jobs (change derived by Future History) | Percent change (change derived by Future History) | Sources |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [Retail Salespersons](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/41-2031) | 4,340,000 (May 2012) | 3,897,860 (May 2025) | -442,140 (derived) | -10% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 2 | [Secretaries and Administrative Assistants](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/43-6014) | 2,085,680 (May 2012) | 1,706,790 (May 2025) | -378,890 (derived) | -18% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 3 | [Office Clerks, General](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/43-9061) (This count moved sharply in one step, May 2020 to May 2021, when BLS changed its method: read the change with care.) | 2,808,100 (May 2012) | 2,464,940 (May 2025) | -343,160 (derived) | -12% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 4 | [Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/43-6011) | 803,040 (May 2012) | 459,910 (May 2025) | -343,130 (derived) | -43% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 5 | [Helpers--Production Workers](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/51-9198) | 419,840 (May 2012) | 165,700 (May 2025) | -254,140 (derived) | -61% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 6 | [Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/43-3031) | 1,606,260 (May 2012) | 1,373,680 (May 2025) | -232,580 (derived) | -14% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 7 | [Bill and Account Collectors](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/43-3011) | 385,890 (May 2012) | 158,830 (May 2025) | -227,060 (derived) | -59% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 8 | [Cashiers](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/41-2011) | 3,314,010 (May 2012) | 3,089,410 (May 2025) | -224,600 (derived) | -7% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 9 | [Tellers](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/43-3071) (This count moved sharply in one step, May 2020 to May 2021, when BLS changed its method: read the change with care.) | 541,770 (May 2012) | 329,480 (May 2025) | -212,290 (derived) | -39% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 10 | [Telemarketers](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/41-9041) | 245,550 (May 2012) | 58,430 (May 2025) | -187,120 (derived) | -76% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 11 | [Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/41-4012) | 1,414,030 (May 2012) | 1,238,190 (May 2025) | -175,840 (derived) | -12% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 12 | [Order Clerks](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/43-4151) | 208,800 (May 2012) | 75,200 (May 2025) | -133,600 (derived) | -64% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 13 | [Childcare Workers](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/39-9011) (This count moved sharply in one step, May 2020 to May 2021, when BLS changed its method: read the change with care.) | 624,520 (May 2012) | 518,910 (May 2025) | -105,610 (derived) | -17% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 14 | [Machinists](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/51-4041) (This count moved sharply in one step, May 2020 to May 2021, when BLS changed its method: read the change with care.) | 388,370 (May 2012) | 287,050 (May 2025) | -101,320 (derived) | -26% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 15 | [Packers and Packagers, Hand](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/53-7064) | 660,670 (May 2012) | 559,820 (May 2025) | -100,850 (derived) | -15% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |

## Gained the most jobs, May 2012 to May 2025

| Rank | Job | Jobs, May 2012 | Jobs, May 2025 | Change in jobs (change derived by Future History) | Percent change (change derived by Future History) | Sources |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [General and Operations Managers](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/11-1021) (This count moved sharply in one step, May 2020 to May 2021, when BLS changed its method: read the change with care.) | 1,899,460 (May 2012) | 3,503,020 (May 2025) | +1,603,560 (derived) | +84% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 2 | [Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/53-7062) | 2,143,940 (May 2012) | 2,950,280 (May 2025) | +806,340 (derived) | +38% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 3 | [Registered Nurses](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/29-1141) | 2,633,980 (May 2012) | 3,379,720 (May 2025) | +745,740 (derived) | +28% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 4 | [Human Resources Specialists](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/13-1071) | 394,380 (May 2012) | 912,430 (May 2025) | +518,050 (derived) | +131% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 5 | [Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/13-1161) | 392,740 (May 2012) | 899,580 (May 2025) | +506,840 (derived) | +129% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 6 | [Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/53-3032) | 1,556,510 (May 2012) | 2,062,040 (May 2025) | +505,530 (derived) | +32% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 7 | [Cooks, Restaurant](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/35-2014) | 1,000,710 (May 2012) | 1,409,890 (May 2025) | +409,180 (derived) | +41% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 8 | [First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/35-1012) (This count moved sharply in one step, May 2020 to May 2021, when BLS changed its method: read the change with care.) | 817,600 (May 2012) | 1,223,240 (May 2025) | +405,640 (derived) | +50% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 9 | [Computer and Information Systems Managers](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/11-3021) | 309,740 (May 2012) | 670,570 (May 2025) | +360,830 (derived) | +116% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 10 | [Management Analysts](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/13-1111) | 540,440 (May 2012) | 898,280 (May 2025) | +357,840 (derived) | +66% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 11 | [Financial Managers](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/11-3031) | 484,910 (May 2012) | 841,710 (May 2025) | +356,800 (derived) | +74% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 12 | [First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/47-1011) | 456,640 (May 2012) | 812,210 (May 2025) | +355,570 (derived) | +78% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 13 | [Accountants and Auditors](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/13-2011) | 1,129,340 (May 2012) | 1,449,500 (May 2025) | +320,160 (derived) | +28% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 14 | [Medical and Health Services Managers](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/11-9111) | 293,490 (May 2012) | 597,080 (May 2025) | +303,590 (derived) | +103% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |
| 15 | [Maintenance and Repair Workers, General](https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/49-9071) | 1,230,270 (May 2012) | 1,529,700 (May 2025) | +299,430 (derived) | +24% (derived) | [BLS OEWS May 2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip); [BLS OEWS May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) |

## How this list was made

- Each row compares two BLS OEWS counts for the same occupation code, May 2012 and May 2025, and the 15 largest losses and gains are ranked by the number of jobs. The change derived by Future History is computed from those two published counts.
- Why 2012: it is the first May survey published wholly on 2010 occupation codes. Earlier counts sit under 2000 codes, and some of those were redrawn in 2010 without changing their number, so a change across that revision can be a change of definition rather than of work.
- We also leave out the 26 jobs on our timelines whose code the 2018 revision split, merged or renamed (BLS 2010 to 2018 crosswalk), and any job whose count has a noted change of basis in between.
- Every change here spans May 2021, when BLS moved to a model-based estimate that pools three years of survey data. BLS republished the earlier years on that method only as research estimates, so the counts at the two ends were made in different ways. A row is marked when its step from May 2020 to May 2021 is at least 3 times the size of its typical other one-year step and at least a quarter the size of the whole change shown. 6 of the rows shown are marked.

## What these numbers cannot tell you

- In May 2021 BLS changed how it estimates these counts (a model-based method using three years of survey data) and moved fully to the 2018 occupation codes, so part of a change across 2021 can come from the method rather than the work.
- BLS publishes these counts as yearly survey snapshots and cautions against reading them as a precise trend.
- A count is a count of jobs, not of people: one person can hold two jobs, and the self-employed are not included.

## Sources

- [BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2012 and May 2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm)
- [BLS, OEWS notice on the May 2021 estimates (new model-based method, MB3)](https://www.bls.gov/oes/notices/2023/the-may-2021-estimates.htm)
- [BLS, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC crosswalk (November 2017)](https://www.bls.gov/soc/2018/soc_2010_to_2018_crosswalk.xlsx)
- Each row also names the exact sources for its own figures.

## Explore these jobs by industry

- [Admin & Office](https://futurehistory.earth/family/admin)
- [Business & Finance](https://futurehistory.earth/family/business)
- [Management](https://futurehistory.earth/family/management)
- [Sales](https://futurehistory.earth/family/sales)
- [Transportation](https://futurehistory.earth/family/transportation)
- [Food Service](https://futurehistory.earth/family/food-service)

All trends and data stories: https://futurehistory.earth/trends