Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods (4242,6)
NAICS Code: 4240A2
Industry Insight
The Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods (4242,6) industry is classified under NAICS code 4240A2 and employed approximately 409,300 workers in 2024 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections program. By 2034, BLS projects employment will reach 423,800 — a net change of +14,500 jobs over the decade. That works out to a +3.5% projected growth rate, a measured but positive trajectory.
NAICS 4240A2 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 Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods (4242,6) 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.
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 Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods (4242,6) (NAICS 4240A2) compares to industries of similar size, ordered by 2024 BLS employment.
| Industry | 2024 | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing | 412,500 | +3.4% |
| Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods (4242,6) | 409,300 | +3.5% |
| Furniture and home furnishings retailers | 409,100 | -4.9% |
| Miscellaneous store retailers (4594 and 4595 only) | 406,400 | -9.7% |
| Residential intellectual and developmental disability facilities | 405,600 | +3.1% |
| Junior colleges; local | 399,100 | -0.6% |
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 Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods (4242,6)?
As of 2024, the Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods (4242,6) industry employs approximately 409,300 workers in the United States, according to BLS Employment Projections data.
Is Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods (4242,6) growing or declining?
The Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods (4242,6) industry is projected to grow by 3.5% from 2024 to 2034, a net change of +14,500 jobs over the decade.
What jobs are in the Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods (4242,6) industry?
The Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods (4242,6) industry (NAICS 4240A2) 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 Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods (4242,6) industry?
AI impact on the Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods (4242,6) 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