Gas operations became the largest employers
A major shift occurred in the 39 counties where oil and gas operations became the largest employers, including counties in Louisiana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming. In most of those counties, oil and gas businesses took over as the top employers from restaurants, hotels, bars and other hospitality businesses.
Many of the states with employment gains despite the recession were oil boom states. Those with more employers in 2012 than in 2008 were Alaska, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota and Texas, plus the District of Columbia.
For instance, in Pecos County, Texas, oil and gas support activities employed 1,179 workers in 2012, compared to 2008 when fast-food restaurants employed the most people at 230 employees. Also in Texas, Atascosa County had 1,836 oil and gas support activities workers in 2012, compared to 525 fast-food workers in 2008.
There was no oil boom in New York or the District of Columbia, but they had employer growth nonetheless. The District’s major employers are colleges and universities, while New York’s major employers are in the health-related fields, especially home health care.
Nationwide, restaurants were the largest employers in more counties than any other business, in both 2008 and 2012. In 2012, restaurants (either full-service or fast food) were the top two employers in 1,603 counties, roughly the same as in 2008.