Apparel manufacturing
NAICS Code: 315000
Industry Insight
The Apparel manufacturing industry is classified under NAICS code 315000 and employed approximately 84,500 workers in 2024 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections program. By 2034, BLS projects employment will reach 58,800 — a net change of -25,700 jobs over the decade. That works out to a -30.4% projected growth rate, a contraction reflecting structural change, automation, or shifting consumer demand.
NAICS 315000 sits within a broader sector ecosystem whose health depends on demographic trends, technology adoption curves, and policy decisions on immigration, tax incentives, and labor regulation. The occupation mix inside Apparel manufacturing determines how AI displacement risk filters down to individual workers — industries dominated by clerical and routine analytical roles face the steepest exposure, while those anchored in physical skill, patient care, or creative judgment retain stronger resilience. The projected decline here signals workers should proactively assess transferable skills and adjacent occupations with stronger outlooks.
Use this industry profile alongside our occupation rankings and employer AI risk grades to build a full picture. The BLS publishes detailed wage and employment figures for each sector in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and Employment Projections programs. The BLS Employment Projections methodology blends input-output modeling, productivity forecasts, and occupational staffing patterns, so estimates are directional rather than precise, and industry-level outcomes depend heavily on macroeconomic conditions that evolve between projection cycles.
Peer Industries by Employment
How Apparel manufacturing (NAICS 315000) compares to industries of similar size, ordered by 2024 BLS employment.
| Industry | 2024 | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Iron and steel mills and ferroalloy manufacturing | 85,600 | +1.5% |
| Business schools and computer and management training; private | 85,500 | +9.9% |
| Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills | 84,700 | -13.1% |
| Apparel manufacturing | 84,500 | -30.4% |
| Communications equipment manufacturing | 83,000 | -6.6% |
| Personal and household goods repair and maintenance | 82,500 | +5.9% |
Peers are selected by similarity in 2024 employment. Figures in thousands. Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people work in Apparel manufacturing?
As of 2024, the Apparel manufacturing industry employs approximately 84,500 workers in the United States, according to BLS Employment Projections data.
Is Apparel manufacturing growing or declining?
The Apparel manufacturing industry is projected to decline by 30.4% from 2024 to 2034, a net change of -25,700 jobs over the decade.
What jobs are in the Apparel manufacturing industry?
The Apparel manufacturing industry (NAICS 315000) employs workers across a range of occupations. Browse the full occupations directory to see AI exposure scores, wage data, and growth projections for specific roles common in this industry.
How will AI affect the Apparel manufacturing industry?
AI impact on the Apparel manufacturing industry depends on the specific occupation mix. Industries with more routine data processing and clerical roles tend to have higher AI displacement risk, while those requiring physical labor, complex judgment, or creative work face lower risk. View occupation-level AI exposure scores for detailed analysis.
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Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 Employment figures in thousands. Data reflects projected changes over the 2024–2034 decade