The 7 industries with the most job openings

Updated Oct. 12, 2020: While it's not the best time to be looking for work, you still have options.

Not all industries are equal. Here are the industries with highest job opening rates.

It's safe to say we're in a recession. Our ebook, "50 Money Moves to Make During a Recession," can help you weather the storm. Sign up here to get your free copy.

1. Professional & business services

Rate: 5.8% Number of openings: 1.3 million

Professional and business services cover a lot of occupations. Aside from having the most openings total, it also has the highest rate of openings. This sector includes white-collar jobs like accounting, architecture and scientific research. (Learn how one accountant makes her budget.)

2. Health care & social assistance

Rate: 5.6% Number of openings: 1.2 million

Whether times are good or bad, everyone needs health care, and hospitals, nursing care facilities and ambulance services are all hiring.

3. Accommodation & food services

Rate: 5.5% Number of openings: 835,000

This sector includes jobs that provide lodging and prepare meals. This includes businesses hotels, restaurants and bars.

4. Retail trade

Rate: 5.3% Number of openings: 888,000

Whether it's cars, furniture, electronics or really anything else, if you want to be in the business of selling stuff, there are plenty of possibilities available.

5. Real estate

Rate: 5.1% Number of openings: 124,000

With housing prices near an all-time high, it's a good time to be a seller. It's also a good time to look for work in the real estate business.

6. Transportation, warehousing & utilities

Rate: 4.8% Number of openings: 306,000

Until robot cars become a thing, the world needs people to move stuff from one place to the other, whether by air, rail, water or road.

7. Construction

Rate: 4.4% Number of openings: 347,000

Construction work can include building, additions, alterations or maintenance and repairs. The availability of this work can fluctuate with the economy, but there currently are plenty of jobs available. (Learn how jobs like these can affect your insurance rates.)

Get career news & financial advice sent straight to your inbox each week. Sign up for the Easy Money newsletter here.

Image: Nastia Kobzarenko

Get essential money news & money moves with the Easy Money newsletter.

Free in your inbox each Friday.

Sign up now