Immigrants comprise a significant share of workers in both high- and low-paying major occupations: Top-10 occupations for immigrants by share of employment in the occupation, number of immigrants employed in each occupation, median wage for the occupation, and difference from national median wage for all workers
| Occupation | Number of immigrants employed | Immigrant share of total employment in occupation | Median wage for the occupation | Difference from national median wage for all workers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance | 2,199,000 | 40% | $17.00 | -32% |
| Farming, fishing, and forestry | 380,000 | 39% | $16.00 | -36% |
| Construction and extraction | 2,899,000 | 34% | $24.75 | -1% |
| Computer and mathematical science | 1,737,000 | 27% | $45.79 | 83% |
| Production | 1,978,000 | 24% | $22.00 | -12% |
| Food preparation and serving related | 1,964,000 | 24% | $16.00 | -36% |
| Health care support | 1,212,000 | 24% | $18.00 | -28% |
| Life, physical, and social science | 415,000 | 22% | $37.50 | 50% |
| Transportation and material moving | 2,561,000 | 22% | $20.00 | -20% |
| Personal care and service | 887,000 | 21% | $17.25 | -31% |
Note: Occupational group median wages are for all workers in that occupation, including both U.S.- and foreign-born workers. The national median wage for all workers in 2023 was $25.00.
Source: EPI analysis of the EPI Current Population Survey extracts from the Economic Policy Institute, 2024, Version 1.0.54.