Special Report

This Is the Industry People Are Quitting the Fastest

a40757 / iStock via Getty Images

The “Great Resignation” is a term coined by the media and job experts. Americans have been leaving their jobs, voluntarily, in record numbers. According to CNBC, “A record 4.5 million workers quit their jobs in November.” The industry people are quitting the fastest is accommodation and food services.

It is unclear why so many people are stepping away from employment. One theory revolves around the COVID-19 pandemic. Those who can afford not to work do not want to reenter businesses where people work in close proximity – especially older Americans, who seem much more likely to become sick from COVID-19, and even to die. (On the other hand, these are American cities that have added jobs during the pandemic.)

Another theory has its foundation in the notion that fewer people want to return to low-paid jobs. Many hope to hold out for better compensation, in a period when employer needs remain high. (These are the 25 lowest-paying jobs in America.)

Yet another possibility has to do with government assistance given to many Americans. This has allowed them to build financial safety nets in some cases that have made it easier for them to stay out of the workforce, for now.

To determine which industries people were quitting the fastest, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in its January “Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey.” According to the report, the November figure moved 8.9% higher than October’s, with 3% of Americans quitting their jobs in November. The number of people who quit their jobs that month varies substantially from industry to industry, particularly when viewed as a percentage.

Click here to see the industries people are quitting the fastest

The quit level was highest in the accommodation and food services industry at 6.9% in November. These jobs tend to have low pay, and contact with customers and fellow workers can be high, posing a risk of COVID-19 infection. The percentage of people who quit in the leisure and hospitality industry overall was nearly as high, at 6.4%.

Jirapong Manustrong / iStock via Getty Images

21. Finance and insurance
> Pct. of workers who quit in Nov. 2021: 1.4%
> Number of quits in Nov. 2021: 95,000
> Number of job openings as of Nov. 2021: 407,000

[in-text-ad]

ferrantraite / E+ via Getty Images

20. Financial activities
> Pct. of workers who quit in Nov. 2021: 1.7%
> Number of quits in Nov. 2021: 154,000
> Number of job openings as of Nov. 2021: 538,000

SDI Productions / E+ via Getty Images

19. Educational services
> Pct. of workers who quit in Nov. 2021: 1.7%
> Number of quits in Nov. 2021: 62,000
> Number of job openings as of Nov. 2021: 168,000

sezer66 / iStock via Getty Images

18. Mining and logging
> Pct. of workers who quit in Nov. 2021: 2%
> Number of quits in Nov. 2021: 13,000
> Number of job openings as of Nov. 2021: 36,000

[in-text-ad-2]

fizkes / iStock via Getty Images

17. Information
> Pct. of workers who quit in Nov. 2021: 2%
> Number of quits in Nov. 2021: 54,000
> Number of job openings as of Nov. 2021: 163,000

Serghei Starus / iStock via Getty Images

16. Durable goods
> Pct. of workers who quit in Nov. 2021: 2.1%
> Number of quits in Nov. 2021: 167,000
> Number of job openings as of Nov. 2021: 522,000

[in-text-ad]

praetorianphoto / E+ via Getty Images

15. Manufacturing
> Pct. of workers who quit in Nov. 2021: 2.3%
> Number of quits in Nov. 2021: 293,000
> Number of job openings as of Nov. 2021: 858,000

Kamonchai Mattakulphon / iStock via Getty Images

14. Wholesale trade
> Pct. of workers who quit in Nov. 2021: 2.3%
> Number of quits in Nov. 2021: 132,000
> Number of job openings as of Nov. 2021: 322,000

a40757 / iStock via Getty Images

13. Other services
> Pct. of workers who quit in Nov. 2021: 2.3%
> Number of quits in Nov. 2021: 134,000
> Number of job openings as of Nov. 2021: 451,000

[in-text-ad-2]

Drazen Zigic / iStock via Getty Images

12. Real estate and rental and leasing
> Pct. of workers who quit in Nov. 2021: 2.5%
> Number of quits in Nov. 2021: 59,000
> Number of job openings as of Nov. 2021: 131,000

william87 / iStock via Getty Images

11. Nondurable goods
> Pct. of workers who quit in Nov. 2021: 2.6%
> Number of quits in Nov. 2021: 126,000
> Number of job openings as of Nov. 2021: 336,000

[in-text-ad]

ljubaphoto / E+ via Getty Images

10. Construction
> Pct. of workers who quit in Nov. 2021: 2.7%
> Number of quits in Nov. 2021: 207,000
> Number of job openings as of Nov. 2021: 345,000

Igor Vershinsky / iStock via Getty Images

9. Transportation, warehousing, and utilities
> Pct. of workers who quit in Nov. 2021: 2.7%
> Number of quits in Nov. 2021: 178,000
> Number of job openings as of Nov. 2021: 589,000

eyecrave / E+ via Getty Images

8. Education and health services
> Pct. of workers who quit in Nov. 2021: 2.8%
> Number of quits in Nov. 2021: 660,000
> Number of job openings as of Nov. 2021: 2 million

[in-text-ad-2]

sanjeri / E+ via Getty Images

7. Health care and social assistance
> Pct. of workers who quit in Nov. 2021: 3%
> Number of quits in Nov. 2021: 598,000
> Number of job openings as of Nov. 2021: 1.8 million

grandriver / iStock via Getty Images

6. Trade, transportation, and utilities
> Pct. of workers who quit in Nov. 2021: 3.6%
> Number of quits in Nov. 2021: 996,000
> Number of job openings as of Nov. 2021: 2 million

[in-text-ad]

nortonrsx / iStock via Getty Images

5. Professional and business services
> Pct. of workers who quit in Nov. 2021: 3.7%
> Number of quits in Nov. 2021: 798,000
> Number of job openings as of Nov. 2021: 1.8 million

kali9 / E+ / Getty Images

4. Arts, entertainment, and recreation
> Pct. of workers who quit in Nov. 2021: 3.7%
> Number of quits in Nov. 2021: 82,000
> Number of job openings as of Nov. 2021: 172,000

andresr / E+ via Getty Images

3. Retail trade
> Pct. of workers who quit in Nov. 2021: 4.4%
> Number of quits in Nov. 2021: 686,000
> Number of job openings as of Nov. 2021: 1 million

[in-text-ad-2]

Antonio_Diaz / iStock via Getty Images

2. Leisure and hospitality
> Pct. of workers who quit in Nov. 2021: 6.4%
> Number of quits in Nov. 2021: 1 million
> Number of job openings as of Nov. 2021: 1.5 million

filadendron / E+ via Getty Images

1. Accommodation and food services
> Pct. of workers who quit in Nov. 2021: 6.9%
> Number of quits in Nov. 2021: 920,000
> Number of job openings as of Nov. 2021: 1.3 million

Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)

Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?

Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.