Unemployment rates in FY 2015 top 15 H-2B occupations, 2004–2015
| CPS description | 2004–2005 | 2006–2007 | 2014–2015 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grounds maintenance workers | 10.16% | 9.49% | 10.98% |
| Forest and conservation workers | 11.14% | 12.75% | 7.49% |
| Misc. entertainment attendants/related | 9.03% | 10.49% | 11.44% |
| Maids and housekeeping cleaners | 7.63% | 6.88% | 8.49% |
| Construction laborers | 12.60% | 10.93% | 12.32% |
| Butchers/meat/poultry/fish processors* | 6.55% | 5.66% | 5.80% |
| Waiters and waitresses | 7.43% | 6.94% | 7.83% |
| Packers and packagers, hand | 12.95% | 11.01% | 13.69% |
| Cooks | 8.94% | 7.99% | 9.39% |
| Nonfarm animal caretakers | 3.87% | 4.47% | 6.54% |
| Athletes, coaches, umpires, etc. | 5.76% | 4.60% | 5.60% |
| Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand | 10.27% | 9.46% | 10.53% |
| Reinforcing iron and rebar workers | 16.62% | 5.90% | 9.30% |
| Fishers and related fishing workers | 10.37% | 12.32% | 13.90% |
*Relates to two H-2B occupation categories in the top 15: "Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers" and "Cutters and Trimmers, Hand"
Note: The occupational titles differ in some cases with those in Tables 1-11 because this figure uses Current Population Survey data to calculate occupational unemployment rates.
Source: EPI analysis of Current Population Survey basic monthly microdata (data reflect two-year pooled samples)