Fresno Employment

Employment and Industries in the Fresno, California Area

Fresno serves as the economic center for California's Central Valley. Agriculture is the major factor for the Fresno area economy. Agriculture provides approximately 25% of the region's jobs. In addition, it's estimated that one out of three jobs are related to agriculture. Fresno county is regarded as one of the most prominent agricultural counties in the nation. The primary crops are cotton, grapes, cattle, plums, milk, tomatoes, turkeys and peaches. The area's food processing industry is an important element of the economy. In addition, Fresno's unemployment rate fluctuates on a seasonal basis due to the varying employment needs of the agricultural industry.

The primary non-agricultural sectors for employment are:

  • Government
  • Trade, transportation and utilities
  • Education and health services
  • Manufacturing
  • Professional and business services
  • Leisure and hospitality
  • Construction
  • Finance

Fresno continues to add non-agricultural industries. The manufacturing sector provides jobs in a variety of areas including metal products, farm machinery, stone, transportation equipment, glass products, electrical equipment, wood products and furniture. Jobs are also provided in sectors such as irrigation and agricultural technology, flexible food manufacturing and advanced logistics. In addition, the numerous call centers employ a portion of the workforce.

The jobs more common in Fresno when compared to most of the nation's cities are first-line supervisors/managers of farming, fishing and forestry workers; farm workers and laborers, crop, nursery and greenhouse; slaughterers and meat packers; agricultural equipment operators; meat poultry,and fish cutters and trimmers; tax examiners, collectors and revenue agents and agricultural inspectors.

Fresno includes numerous business incubators that function as resource centers for entrepreneurs and new companies. A number of the business incubators are situated at California State University, Fresno. The city also has a large Enterprise Zone. The state of California provides companies operating in the zone with various tax credits such as for financing, hiring, and capital investment. The programs are offered by the State of California Commerce and the Economic Development Program.

Noteworthy data regarding Fresno: The average salary in Fresno in early 2009 was $33,000. In 2008 the cost of living index was at 94.6. The national average is 100. Regarding the population over the age of 25, about 19% have a bachelor's degree or higher.

The largest employers in the public sector are provided below:

  • Fresno County Unified School District
  • Fresno County
  • Community Medical Centers
  • City of Fresno
  • California State University, Fresno
  • State Center Community College District

The largest employers in Fresno's private sector are:

  • Community Medical Center - Healthcare
  • St. Agnes Medical Center - Healthcare
  • Beverly Healthcare - Healthcare
  • Kaiser Permanente - Healthcare
  • Pelco - Video security systems manufacture
  • Children's Hospital Central California - Healthcare
  • Quinn Group Inc - Ag, industrial and construction equipment manufacturer
  • AT&T - Communications
  • Zacky Farms - Turkey growers and processors
  • Fresno Bee - Newspaper
  • Guarantee Real Estate - Real estate brokerage
  • Sunrise Medical - Wheelchair manufacturer
  • Producers Dairy Foods - Dairy products processing and packaging
  • London Properties Real Estate brokerage
  • Geil Enterprises - Security, janitorial services
  • Turner Security Systems - Security personnel and monitoring
  • Securitas Security Services USA - Security services
  • Grundfos Pumps Manufacturing Corp - Water pumps manufacturer
  • Quest Diagnostics Inc - Clinical laboratory services
  • Duncan Enterprises - Ceramic arts manufacturer

Business organizations offering assistance to Fresno businesses:

The The Business Journal - Fresno provides information about the current business activities in Fresno.

Jobs in Fresno

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations387920$48,840$23.48100
2Office and Administrative Support Occupations48870$41,050$19.7413.75
3Sales and Related Occupations34920$39,720$19.19.5
4Transportation and Material Moving Occupations34120$35,870$17.246.7
5Educational Instruction and Library Occupations32080$63,410$30.486
6Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations30820$29,080$13.988.7
7Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations27990$26,570$12.770.65
8Healthcare Support Occupations26330$29,050$13.972.85
9Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse25480$25,710$12.360.3
10Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations21060$98,080$47.155.85
11Production Occupations19040$36,480$17.545.6
12Home Health and Personal Care Aides17950$25,890$12.450
13Business and Financial Operations Occupations16940$65,670$31.575.35
14Construction and Extraction Occupations15480$54,660$26.284.6
15Management Occupations15310$107,060$51.476.35
16Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations14230$51,670$24.843.75
17Cashiers11850$26,650$12.812.2
18Fast Food and Counter Workers11230$26,400$12.692.45
19Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations9370$32,910$15.823.6
20Protective Service Occupations8780$61,550$29.592.2
21Community and Social Service Occupations8680$53,050$25.511.75
22Office Clerks, General8430$36,340$17.471.9
23Retail Salespersons8220$30,410$14.622.7
24Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand8110$31,290$15.041.8
25Registered Nurses7640$105,880$50.91.95
26Personal Care and Service Occupations7460$32,770$15.754.65
27Stockers and Order Fillers6610$30,590$14.711.25
28Customer Service Representatives5200$39,500$18.991.75
29Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers4780$44,290$21.291.2
30Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners4770$31,190$151.5
31Waiters and Waitresses4480$33,330$16.031.65
32Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive4250$39,820$19.151.4
33General and Operations Managers4190$110,640$53.191.5
34Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations4100$54,070$261.8
35Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks4070$44,940$21.611.05
36Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other3880$65,320$31.410.7
37Medical Assistants3320$35,290$16.970.45
38Architecture and Engineering Occupations3300$89,450$43.011.7
39Computer and Mathematical Occupations3280$73,130$35.163
40First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers3270$59,150$28.440.95
41Maintenance and Repair Workers, General3160$40,980$19.70.9
42Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations3150$76,910$36.980.8
43Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products2990$70,380$33.840.85
44First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers2920$43,520$20.920.95
45Substitute Teachers, Short-Term2910$39,190$18.840.4
46Packers and Packagers, Hand2790$27,190$13.070.4
47Light Truck Drivers2660$39,770$19.120.6
48Cooks, Restaurant2640$30,570$14.70.9
49Legal Occupations2610$91,750$44.110.8
50Security Guards2570$33,540$16.120.7
51Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs2440$47,270$22.730.1
52Nursing Assistants2330$31,280$15.040.95
53Receptionists and Information Clerks2230$31,050$14.930.7
54Cooks, Fast Food2170$25,210$12.120.3
55Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants2130$38,470$18.50.4
56Construction Laborers2020$46,080$22.160.9
57Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel1970$53,310$25.630.7
58Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics1950$45,730$21.980.5
59Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers1940$33,230$15.970.75
60Accountants and Auditors1880$67,000$32.210.9
61Electricians1870$61,380$29.510.45
62First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers1870$39,010$18.750.6
63Carpenters1840$53,130$25.540.6
64Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers1800$87,610$42.120.4
65Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders1790$31,540$15.160.2
66Counter and Rental Clerks1760$34,480$16.580.3
67Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators1760$28,620$13.760.8
68Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners1720$31,920$15.350.9
69Food Preparation Workers1700$26,970$12.970.5
70Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity1660$34,810$16.740.3
71Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks1620$35,220$16.930.4
72Correctional Officers and Jailers1600$72,750$34.980.25
73Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators1570$32,900$15.820.4
74Recreation Workers1570$29,150$14.020.3
75Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents1570$46,380$22.30
76Social and Human Service Assistants1560$39,570$19.030.3
77Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses1520$51,420$24.720.5
78Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education1480$35,080$16.860.3
79Billing and Posting Clerks1430$38,340$18.430.3
80Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers1370$35,120$16.880.35
81Management Analysts1320$75,340$36.220.55
82Childcare Workers1310$27,490$13.210.7
83First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers1260$76,680$36.860.4
84Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment1230$29,810$14.330.3
85Dental Assistants1230$38,150$18.340.2
86Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop1230$26,580$12.780.3
87Dishwashers1210$26,040$12.520.3
88First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors1210$57,140$27.470.3
89Sales Managers1200$105,280$50.610.3
90Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers1200$61,350$29.490.1
91Lawyers1190$128,450$61.750.5
92Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks1150$44,280$21.290.2
93Parts Salespersons1150$37,030$17.810.2
94Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers1140$27,000$12.980.3
95Insurance Sales Agents1140$70,560$33.930.3
96Financial Managers1070$121,050$58.20.4
97First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers1060$61,540$29.590.4
98Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters1060$51,370$24.70.3
99Driver/Sales Workers1020$43,260$20.80.3
100First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers1000$76,080$36.580.3
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Fresno Colleges
Fresno colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Fresno Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$48,840387,920
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$41,05048,870
Sales and Related Occupations$39,72034,920
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$35,87034,120
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$63,41032,080
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$29,08030,820
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations$26,57027,990
Healthcare Support Occupations$29,05026,330
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$25,71025,480
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$98,08021,060
Production Occupations$36,48019,040
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$25,89017,950
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$65,67016,940
Construction and Extraction Occupations$54,66015,480
Management Occupations$107,06015,310
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$51,67014,230
Cashiers$26,65011,850
Fast Food and Counter Workers$26,40011,230
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$32,9109,370
Protective Service Occupations$61,5508,780
Community and Social Service Occupations$53,0508,680
Office Clerks, General$36,3408,430
Retail Salespersons$30,4108,220
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$31,2908,110
Registered Nurses$105,8807,640
Personal Care and Service Occupations$32,7707,460
Stockers and Order Fillers$30,5906,610
Customer Service Representatives$39,5005,200
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$44,2904,780
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$31,1904,770
Waiters and Waitresses$33,3304,480
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$39,8204,250
General and Operations Managers$110,6404,190
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$54,0704,100
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$44,9404,070
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$65,3203,880
Medical Assistants$35,2903,320
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$89,4503,300
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$73,1303,280
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$59,1503,270
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$40,9803,160
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$76,9103,150
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$70,3802,990
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$43,5202,920
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$39,1902,910
Packers and Packagers, Hand$27,1902,790
Light Truck Drivers$39,7702,660
Cooks, Restaurant$30,5702,640
Legal Occupations$91,7502,610
Security Guards$33,5402,570

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Fresno, California Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$48,840387,920
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$41,05048,870
Sales and Related Occupations$39,72034,920
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$35,87034,120
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$63,41032,080
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$29,08030,820
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations$26,57027,990
Healthcare Support Occupations$29,05026,330
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$25,71025,480
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$98,08021,060
Production Occupations$36,48019,040
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$25,89017,950
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$65,67016,940
Construction and Extraction Occupations$54,66015,480
Management Occupations$107,06015,310
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$51,67014,230
Cashiers$26,65011,850
Fast Food and Counter Workers$26,40011,230
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$32,9109,370
Protective Service Occupations$61,5508,780
Community and Social Service Occupations$53,0508,680
Office Clerks, General$36,3408,430
Retail Salespersons$30,4108,220
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$31,2908,110
Registered Nurses$105,8807,640
Personal Care and Service Occupations$32,7707,460
Stockers and Order Fillers$30,5906,610
Customer Service Representatives$39,5005,200
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$44,2904,780
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$31,1904,770
Waiters and Waitresses$33,3304,480
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$39,8204,250
General and Operations Managers$110,6404,190
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$54,0704,100
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$44,9404,070
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$65,3203,880
Medical Assistants$35,2903,320
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$89,4503,300
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$73,1303,280
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$59,1503,270
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$40,9803,160
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$76,9103,150
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$70,3802,990
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$43,5202,920
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$39,1902,910
Packers and Packagers, Hand$27,1902,790
Light Truck Drivers$39,7702,660
Cooks, Restaurant$30,5702,640
Legal Occupations$91,7502,610
Security Guards$33,5402,570

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