How Many Jobs Are Available In Natural Gas Distribution?

In NAICS 221200 – Natural Gas Distribution, these national industry-specific occupational employment and wage estimates are produced from data collected from firms of all sizes in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas in every state and the District of Columbia.

Additional data, such as hourly and annual wages in the 10th, 25th, 75th, and 90th percentiles, is available.

is available in the XLS files that can be downloaded.

NAICS 221200 – Natural Gas Distribution SOC Major Groups:

00-0000 00-0000 00-0000 00-0000 00-0000 00-0000
Management Occupations (11-0000)
13-0000Occupations in Business and Financial Operations
Computer and Mathematical Occupations (15-0000)
Occupations in Architecture and Engineering (17-0000)
19-0000Occupations in Life, Physical, and Social Sciences
Legal Occupations (23-0000)
27-0000Occupations in the Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
Occupations in the Protective Service Sector (33-0000)
Occupations in Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance (37-0000)
41-0000
Occupations in Sales and Related Fields
43-0000Occupations in Office and Administrative Support
47-0000Occupations in Construction and Extraction
Occupations in Installation, Maintenance, and Repair (49-0000)
Production Occupations (51-0000)
53-0000Occupations in Transportation and Material Moving

What is the number of jobs in the natural gas industry?

“Energy is the power to accomplish work,” the American Gas Association and other organizations noted in a letter to Congress in February 2020. The potential given by abundant, low-cost domestic natural gas exemplify this notion perfectly.

The natural gas business supports 4.1 million employment in the United States, according to the American Gas Association. But the work doesn’t stop there. Manufacturing jobs in the United States have historically increased as natural gas production has increased. Oil and gas output in the United States fell from the mid-1970s to the early 2000s, resulting in the loss of over three million manufacturing jobs. However, the shale revolution has resulted in the creation of 1.4 million new manufacturing employment in the United States during the last decade.

The cumulative influence of oil and gas production on job creation is illustrated by the oil and gas energy supply chain, which is made up of “120,000+ companies, of whom at least 100,000 are small businesses.” There are three jobs in the energy supply chain for every one person in oil and gas production, and six more in the induced economy, which includes retail, hospitality, housing, and other services.

Furthermore, oil and gas occupations provide not just quantity but also quality. According to a research released in July 2020 by the North American Building Trades Unions (NABTU), oil and gas occupations “offer greater earnings, benefits, and prospects than renewable energy initiatives.” The average yearly wage in the oil and gas business is $108,000, and it is projected that switching jobs to the renewable industry would result in a 50 percent to 75 percent pay decrease. The oil and gas business also provides workers with occupations that are safer and closer to home.

Natural gas is essentially the capacity to work for Americans throughout the economic range.

Natural gas supports over 4 million jobs: The American Gas Association estimates that the natural gas business supports 4.1 million employment in the United States.
Natural gas saves businesses money that can be used toward job development: Since 2009, the natural gas industry has saved US businesses $121 billion, allowing them to spend more in growth and job creation.
“The capacity to work is referred to as energy: In a letter to members of Congress, the American Gas Association stated: “The capacity to labor is defined as energy… Over the previous decade, the United States’ newfound energy abundance has fueled persistent economic expansion.
Natural gas development provided $87 billion in revenue: Between 2013 and 2018, natural gas production created roughly 730,000 additional jobs, resulting in an increase of $87 billion in annual disposable income.
58 jobs per mile of pipeline: Each mile of new transmission pipeline completed creates 58 jobs, and the US will require an additional 26,000 miles of natural gas transmission infrastructure worth more than $150 billion between 2018 and 2035.
Manufacturing jobs increased as natural gas output expanded: Between the mid-1970s and the early 2000s, U.S. oil and gas production fell, resulting in the loss of over three million manufacturing jobs. However, the shale revolution has resulted in the creation of 1.4 million new manufacturing employment in the United States during the last decade.
More manufacturing jobs equals five times the number of jobs in other industries: The National Association of Manufacturers claims that “There are five people hired elsewhere for every one worker in manufacturing.
In 2015, increased availability to natural gas and pipelines resulted in the creation of 1.9 million jobs: According to a survey conducted by the National Association of Industries (NAM) in 2016, “In 2015, increased access to shale gas and the transmission lines that transport that affordable energy to manufacturers across the country resulted in the creation of 1.9 million jobs.
In 2015, the construction of 6,028 kilometers of new gas pipelines resulted in a 347,788 job increase: Construction of 6,028 kilometers of new natural gas transmission pipelines was completed in 2015 “347,788 new jobs were created in a temporary rise in employment, with 59,874 in the manufacturing sector.
Because of low-cost natural gas, the chemical manufacturing industry, the single largest industrial consumer of natural gas, could add 786,000 employment by 2025: Chemical manufacture, the single largest industrial consumer of natural gas, has spent more than $202 billion in new plant capacity, owing in part to its ability to obtain inexpensive gas, and is expected to generate 786,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2025.
Gas and oil operations are made possible by people in the energy supply chain: The oil and gas energy supply chain consists of “120,000+ enterprises, at least 100,000 of which are small businesses… “and workers that manufacture and supply the equipment, construction, materials, services, logistics, and technology required in oil and gas production and operations.
From truck drivers to administrators to architects, we’ve got you covered. Factory and warehouse workers; construction workers; equipment operators, truck drivers, and mechanics; welders and ironworkers; technicians, maintenance, and administrative workers; and professionals in fields such as engineering, science, architecture, and finance work in the oil and gas energy supply chain.
The oil and gas energy supply chain now employs over 600,000 people, with the potential to grow to over 750,000 by 2025.
Workers in the oil and gas energy supply chain earn an average annual salary of $79,000. Workers in the shale energy production chain will earn close to $60 billion in 2025, up from $41 billion in 2012.
More occupations linked to oil and gas production: There are three workers in the energy supply chain for every one worker in oil and gas production, and six more in the induced economy, such as retail, hospitality, housing, and other services.
Oil and gas jobs offer higher earnings, benefits, and chances than renewable energy projects, according to a research released in July 2020 by the North American Building Trades Unions (NABTU) “green energy projects have better wages, benefits, and possibilities.
The average yearly wage in the oil and gas industry is $108,000: The oil and gas business pays an average yearly income of $108,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics “Pay at huge corporations like Exxon Mobil, where median worker pay is around $170,000 a year, is over double the private economy average.
Taking a 50% to 75% pay drop to work in the renewable energy industry: Sean McGarvey, president of the North American Building Trades Unions (NABTU), thinks that many union members would be affected “if they switched careers into the renewable energy industry, they would lose 50% to 75% of their earnings.
Skilled trade occupations are not easily transferable across industries: NABTU Research: “Many of the trades used on oil and gas projects aren’t as common on renewables projects, demonstrating that skilled trade jobs aren’t easily convertible.
Workers in the oil and gas industry are safer: NABTU Research: “The reliance on certified apprenticeship and strong industry safety regulations and procedures in the oil and natural gas business makes workers safer in this segment of the construction industry.
Jobs that are closer to home: NABTU Research: “A well-developed industry infrastructure, such as that seen in oil and gas, is expected to allow more trained tradespeople to work in the energy sector while remaining near their homes and families.
Job opportunities for high school graduates include: NABTU Studies: “The construction and oil and natural gas industries both rely significantly on high school graduates to fill around 45 percent of all employment. Construction, oil, and natural gas high school graduates are paid more and have more health insurance and pension coverage than many other high school graduates with no college degree.

The natural gas business supports 4.1 million employment in the United States, according to the American Gas Association. ( ) “American Gas Association, 2/5/20) Natural Gas Act Provides Clear Pathway to American Energy Abundance

Since 2009, the natural gas industry has saved US firms $121 billion, allowing them to invest more in growth and job creation. ( ) “American Gas Association, 2/5/20) Natural Gas Act Provides Clear Pathway to American Energy Abundance

“Energy is the capacity to do work,” the American Gas Association wrote in a letter to congressional members. “Newfound energy abundance in the United States has driven sustained economic growth over the previous decade.”

We are writing to voice our support for sound government policy that enables the continuous development of natural gas infrastructure as organizations representing the natural gas value chain. The capacity to work is defined as energy. Everything comes to a halt without it. Families spend and travel less when things are expensive. Households, communities, and companies are unable to plan properly when it is unreliable. Over the previous decade, the United States’ newfound energy abundance has fueled persistent economic expansion. (Letter to Members of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, 2/3/20)

“Over the last decade, America’s energy infrastructure firms have created hundreds of thousands of jobs, invested billions in communities, and made heating and cooking more affordable for American households.” Energy infrastructure firms in the United States have created hundreds of thousands of jobs, invested billions in communities, and reduced the cost of heating and cooking for American families during the last decade. According to the White House Council of Economic Advisors, a household of four may now save about $2,500 per year because to low-cost natural gas. (Letter to Members of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, 2/3/20)

Natural gas production created an annual increase in real gross domestic product (GDP) of $101 billion from 2013 to 2018, resulting in an additional 730,000 jobs and $87 billion in annual disposable income.” The economy of the United States has benefited from abundant natural gas. Natural gas production created $101 billion in real gross domestic product (GDP) growth per year between 2013 and 2018, according to the National Association of Manufacturers, resulting in nearly 730,000 additional American jobs and $87 billion in annual disposable income. (Letter to Members of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, 2/3/20)

Furthermore, “Infrastructure construction produces jobs for America’s skilled trade employees; for every mile of new transmission pipeline completed, 58 jobs are created. (Letter to Members of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, 2/3/20)

“To fully realize the benefits of America’s natural gas abundance… an additional 26,000 miles of natural gas transmission infrastructure worth more than $150 billion in investment will be required between 2018 and 2035.” Additional energy infrastructure is required to fully realize the benefits of America’s abundant natural gas. Between 2018 and 2035, the United States would require an additional 26,000 miles of natural gas transmission infrastructure, costing more than $150 billion, according to ICF International. (Letter to Members of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, 2/3/20)

After decades of decline, the Shale Revolution’s surge in production has aided in the creation of 1.4 million new manufacturing jobs in the United States.

Oil and gas output in the United States fell from the mid-1970s to the early 2000s, resulting in the loss of over three million manufacturing jobs. In addition, when China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, another five million manufacturing jobs were lost.” The graph below shows the direct relationship between US oil and gas production and US manufacturing jobs. As oil and gas output increased, so did the country’s ability to manufacture competitively. Similarly, almost 3 million manufacturing jobs were lost as US oil and gas production fell (from the mid 1970s to the early 2000s). When China joined the WTO in 2001, it lost another 5 million industrial jobs. However, the total number of jobs destroyed is substantially higher. Four to five supporting jobs are produced for every industrial job added. ( ) “ShaleCrescent USA, 10/20; Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Updated 12/8/20) U.S. Energy: The Key to Reviving U.S. Manufacturing

Increases in US oil and gas output, on the other hand, help to promote job growth in the manufacturing sector. The shale revolution has resulted in the creation of 1.4 million new manufacturing employment in the United States during the previous decade. ” Due to shale drilling, U.S. oil and gas output reversed course around 2010, and the United States swiftly became the world’s leading oil and gas producer. Manufacturing jobs began to recover as a result. Since the emergence of shale in the United States, 1.4 million manufacturing jobs have been created. ( ) “ShaleCrescent USA, 10/20; Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Updated 12/8/20) U.S. Energy: The Key to Reviving U.S. Manufacturing

( ) “ShaleCrescent USA, 10/20; Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Updated 12/8/20) U.S. Energy: The Key to Reviving U.S. Manufacturing

“For every one worker in manufacturing, there are another five people hired elsewhere,” according to the National Association of Manufacturers.

Manufacturing spend adds $2.74 to the economy for every $1.00 spent. Any economic sector has the biggest multiplier effect. In addition, for every worker employed in manufacturing, another five are employed in non-manufacturing jobs. (According to NAM estimations based on 2018 IMPLAN data.) However, new research reveals that manufacturing’s economic consequences are considerably greater when the complete manufacturing value chain is considered, as well as manufacturing for other industries’ supply networks. Manufacturing might account for one-third of GDP and employment, according to this method. In that vein, the total multiplier effect for manufacturing was calculated to be $3.60 for every $1.00 of value-added output, with one manufacturing employee generating 3.4 additional workers elsewhere. ( ) “National Association of Manufacturers, Facts About Manufacturing (accessed 1/29/21)

According to a study conducted by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) in 2016, “In 2015, the combination of increased access to shale gas and transmission lines that transport that affordable energy to manufacturers across the country resulted in the creation of 1.9 million jobs.

“Going forward, lower natural gas prices will result in benefits to consumer purchasing power and confidence, higher profits among businesses, and improvements in cost-competitiveness for domestic manufacturers relative to their international competitors,” according to a 2016 study by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM).

Domestic natural gas (NG) production is rapidly increasing, reshaping the US economy and redefining America’s competitive advantages in the global economy, particularly in the manufacturing sector. IHS investigated how the expansion of NG pipeline infrastructure improves the U.S. manufacturing sector as part of its ongoing endeavor to understand how a resurgent oil and gas industry influences broad-based manufacturing. Beyond exploration and production companies, tens of billions of dollars in capital and operating and maintenance (O&M) expenditures are made annually across the hydrocarbon value chain, benefiting a varied collection of industry sectors. Lower natural gas costs will help consumer purchasing power and confidence, increase corporate earnings, and improve domestic manufacturers’ cost-competitiveness relative to international competitors in the future. ( ) “National Association of Manufacturers, Natural Gas Study: Energizing Manufacturing, 5/16)

“Economic gains from greater domestic shale gas production and the attendant lower NG prices include contributions of $190 billion to real gross domestic product (GDP), 1.4 million extra employment, and $156 billion to real disposable income,” according to the NAM report.

In 2015, the US economy saw major gains: according to IHS, greater domestic shale gas output and reduced NG prices contributed $190 billion to real GDP, 1.4 million new employment, and $156 billion in real disposable income. ( ) “National Association of Manufacturers, Natural Gas Study: Energizing Manufacturing, 5/16)

Construction of 6,028 kilometers of new natural gas transmission pipelines alone led in a “temporary rise in employment of 347,788 jobs, with 59,874 in the manufacturing sector,” according to the report.

According to IHS, the United States invested about $25.8 billion in 2015 to build 6,028 miles of new natural gas transmission pipes, resulting in a temporary increase in employment of 347,788 jobs, with 59,874 in the manufacturing sector. ( ) “National Association of Manufacturers, Natural Gas Study: Energizing Manufacturing, 5/16)

“Construction spending is anticipated to have contributed $34 billion to GDP and $21.9 billion to labor income in 2015,” according to a NAM study. Construction spending in 2015 is anticipated to have contributed $34 billion to GDP and $21.9 billion to labor income. The current unit cost estimates for constructing and running three types of NG pipelines: gathering, transmission, and local distribution, are presented in USD per mile in this study. The economic impacts of building and running new NG transmission lines will be the emphasis of this study, as they are the way by which pipeline-ready NG is carried from the wellhead to local markets; however, the effects of the other two types of NG pipelines will be addressed as well. National Association of Manufacturers, “Natural Gas Study: Energizing Manufacturing,” 5/16.

“Production costs have been decreased for energy-intensive industries such as chemicals, metals, food, and refining as a result of increased natural gas supplies,” according to the NAM study, “and IHS expects these industries to outperform the US economy as a whole through 2025.” Midstream and downstream energy capital and O&M expenditures throughout a diversified supply chain generate well-understood economic contributions. Recent IHS analysis of the United States”manufacturing renaissance’ found that greater supply of competitively priced natural gas has resulted in obvious competitive advantages for American manufacturing. The rise in natural gas supplies has decreased production costs for energy-intensive businesses including chemicals, metals, food, and refining, and IHS forecasts these industries to outperform the US economy as a whole through 2025. ( ) “National Association of Manufacturers, Natural Gas Study: Energizing Manufacturing, 5/16)

“Increased supplies of NG, especially at lower delivered prices, improves the competitiveness of economies by making them more appealing to major and intensive users of NG, such as chemicals, food, paper, and metals,” according to a NAM study.

State and municipal economic development initiatives across the country are being shaped by the increased competitive stance of manufacturing businesses. Increased NG supply, especially at lower delivered prices, boost economies’ competitiveness by making them more appealing to large-scale, NG-intensive manufacturing activities including chemicals, food, paper, and metals. Because of the availability of direct connections to a new or expanded NG pipeline, existing clusters of manufacturing establishments in close proximity to increased NG supplies can generate new pipeline-related economic development “National Association of Manufacturers, Natural Gas Study: Energizing Manufacturing, 5/16)

“In addition to supplying crucial inputs for the building of NG pipelines, capital expenditures for new electric generating plants and facilities used to process and store NG and natural gas liquids (NGLs) would benefit the manufacturing sector economically,” according to the NAM study.

The development of NG pipeline capacity from the Marcellus Shale region to the Greater Philadelphia area was recommended as a key enabler for increasing the regional manufacturing sector in a recent IHS manufacturing strategy assessment for the City of Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation. According to recent IHS research, sectors like food, cement, wood, paper, chemicals, and primary and fabricated metal products will benefit the most from increased supplies and lower NG prices because they both use it intensively (i.e., consume a large number of British Thermal Units (Btu) per unit of output) and require large amounts of it, especially in chemicals subsectors where it is used as a feedstock. In order to build additional NG-fired power generating plants, the capacity of the NG pipeline must be expanded. The industrial sector will profit economically from capital expenditures for new power generating plants and facilities needed to process and store NG and natural gas liquids, in addition to providing crucial inputs for the construction of NG pipelines (NGLs). ( ) “National Association of Manufacturers, Natural Gas Study: Energizing Manufacturing, 5/16)

“In a nutshell,” according to the National Association of Factories, “the combination of improved access to shale gas and the transmission lines that deliver that affordable energy to manufacturers across America resulted in 1.9 million employment in 2015.”

The Chemical Manufacturing Industry, for example, has invested over $202 billion in new plant capacity, making it the single largest industrial consumer of natural gas “By 2025, it is expected to provide 786,000 direct and indirect jobs.

“The chemical manufacturing industry, the single largest industrial consumer of natural gas,” according to the American Chemistry Council, “has invested over $202 billion in new plant capacity, in part due to the industry’s ability to access cheap gas, which has created a competitive advantage for the U.S. manufacturing sector.”

Chemical manufacture, the single largest industrial consumer of natural gas, has invested more than $202 billion in new plant capacity, owing in part to the industry’s ability to obtain inexpensive gas, which has given the US manufacturing sector a competitive advantage. (Letter to Members of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, 2/3/20)

“By 2025, this will have generated $292 billion in new economic production and 786,000 direct and indirect jobs.” According to the American Chemistry Council, this has generated $292 billion in additional economic output and is expected to generate 786,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2025. (Letter to Members of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, 2/3/20)

In all fifty states, the oil and gas energy supply chain employs over 600,000 people, with the potential to grow to over 750,000 by 2025.

The oil and gas energy supply chain consists of “120,000+ enterprises, at least 100,000 of which are small businesses… “and workers that manufacture and supply the equipment, construction, materials, services, logistics, and technology required in oil and gas production and operations.

What is the Energy Supply Chain, and how does it work? Companies and workers who manufacture and supply oil and gas production and operations equipment, construction, materials, services, logistics, and technology. There are around 120,000 firms, with at least 100,000 of them being small businesses. There are sixty NAICS-defined industries in total. “FACT SHEET: The Energy Supply Chain, Energy Equipment & Infrastructure Alliance, Accessed 9/1/20”)

Construction, oilfield services, capital equipment, materials and supplies, professional services, logistics and transportation, and technology are all part of the oil and gas energy supply chain. ” What are the different sorts of firms that make up the Energy Supply Chain? Building and construction (well complexes, facilities, roads, pipelines, storage, processing, terminals) Services for Oilfields (drilling, completion, gathering, separation) Purchase of capital equipment (construction equipment, drilling and completion equipment, tanks, transport, exploration, measurement and control, power generation, pumping) Supplies and materials (steel & tubular goods, cement, sand, hoses and fittings) Consultancy services (geological, environmental, health and safety, engineering, architecture, financial, legal, scientific) Logistics and transportation (trucking, pipeline operations, water transport, rail) The use of technology (seismic imaging, drilling, controls, measurement) “FACT SHEET: The Energy Supply Chain, Energy Equipment & Infrastructure Alliance, Accessed 9/1/20”)

Factory and warehouse workers; construction workers; equipment operators, truck drivers, and mechanics; welders and ironworkers; technicians, maintenance, and administrative workers; and professionals in fields such as engineering, scientific, architects, and finance work in the oil and gas energy supply chain.

In the energy supply chain, what kinds of trades and professions are employed? Factory and warehouse workers Construction workers Equipment operators, truck drivers, and mechanics Welders and ironworkers Technicians, maintenance, and administrative workers “FACT SHEET: The Energy Supply Chain, Energy Equipment & Infrastructure Alliance, Accessed 9/1/20”)

The oil and gas energy supply chain generates more than $150 billion in economic production annually, with the potential to increase to more than $200 billion by 2025. ” What is the Energy Supply Chain’s economic impact? Economic production of over $150 billion Growth to over $200 billion by 2025 “FACT SHEET: The Energy Supply Chain, Energy Equipment & Infrastructure Alliance, Accessed 9/1/20”)

Over 600,000 people work in the oil and gas energy supply chain, with a potential increase to over 750,000 by 2025.

What are the different aspects of the Energy Supply Chain that affect employment? 600,000+ workers, expected to increase to over 750,000 by 2025 Well-paying positions, with an annual average wage of $79,000 per job Three workers in the supply chain for every one in the producing sector Six additional workers in the induced economy (retail, hospitality, housing, services, etc.) “FACT SHEET: The Energy Supply Chain, Energy Equipment & Infrastructure Alliance, Accessed 9/1/20”)

“In Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, jobs in the shale energy supply chain account for 2% of total employment. In Arkansas, Colorado, and Pennsylvania, supply chain jobs represent for 1% of total state employment. “Facts You Should Know About Shale Energy,” Energy Equipment & Infrastructure Alliance, 9/1/20; “Supplying the Unconventional Revolution,” IHS Economics, 2014)

The average yearly wage for workers in the oil and gas energy supply chain is $79,000.

“Total earnings of shale energy supply chain workers will rise from $41 billion in 2012 to close to $60 billion in 2025.” “Facts You Should Know About Shale Energy,” Energy Equipment & Infrastructure Alliance, 9/1/20; “Supplying the Unconventional Revolution,” IHS Economics, 2014)

There are three jobs in the energy supply chain for every one person in oil and gas production, and six more in the induced economy, which includes retail, hospitality, housing, and other services.

Businesses and occupations in the oil and gas energy supply chain can be found in all fifty states.

What is the extent of the Energy Supply Chain in terms of geography? Businesses and jobs in the supply chain can be found in all fifty states. States that do not produce are major winners. Despite increased output, eight of the top fifteen job-creating states are non-producing. After Texas and California, Illinois, New York, and Florida are ranked 3rd, 4th, and 5th, respectively. Pipelines, rail, water, and trucks are all part of the energy midstream in the United States. “FACT SHEET: The Energy Supply Chain, Energy Equipment & Infrastructure Alliance, Accessed 9/1/20”)

Oil and gas jobs “had better wages,