Which Industries Have the Highest Union Membership Rates, and Why?

Thinking which industries still have the strongest union presence as we move through 2026? Public-sector workers have the highest union membership rates, led by local government at 37.8%. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says public sector union membership reached 32.9% in 2025. That was more than 5 times the 5.9% rate for private-sector workers.

Across the workforce, 14.7 million people belonged to unions, while the total rate held at 10.0%. Utilities led the private sector at 17.8%. Transportation and warehousing came next at 13.6%, while educational services reached 13.4%.

These industries with the highest union membership rates have a few things in common. Many jobs need skilled workers, long training, and work at a set site. Public work, power grids, freight routes, schools, and job sites are tied to specific places. So workers often have a clear reason to form unions and protect shared standards.

Union Membership Rate by Industry in 2025

The data are from Table 3 of the Bureau of Labor Statistics union release.

Why Public-Sector Union Rates Stay High

Public employers answer to voters, budgets, and open-record laws. This gives union teams clear facts for collective bargaining and contract talks.

Local, State, and Federal Union Rates

• At 37.8%, the local government union rate was the highest in the full table. Local agencies employ many teachers, firefighters, and police officers.
• The state government rate reached 29.6% in 2025, up from 27.9% in 2024.
• Federal government workers had a 27.2% rate, up from 25.3%.
• Educational services union membership reached 13.4% in the private sector. Across all sectors, education, training, and library jobs had the top rate at 32.5%.

These jobs serve the public each day, so workers know who shares their duties and concerns. If they form a union, 1 contract can cover a clear group within a school system, department, or agency.

Why Utilities and Transportation Maintain Strong Union Density

Power and freight work depends on local systems and trained crews. Many roles need a license or long, hands-on training. Employers cannot replace that skill fast when power, water, transit, or deliveries must keep moving.

• Utilities union membership stood at 17.8%, the highest rate among private industries.
• The transportation and warehousing union rate reached 13.6% in 2025.
• Union contracts may protect shift premiums, seniority rules, pension credit, and safety rules.
• Fixed routes and service areas help workers build stable bargaining units.

Who Represents Transportation and Warehousing Workers in New York

Teamsters Joint Council 16 serves workers in many New York fields, including transport. Its local unions handle contract talks and daily support close to the routes members run. That close support is one reason the sector holds a union rate more than twice the 5.9% private-sector average.

Why Construction Union Membership Starts With Training

The rate for construction and extraction occupations was even higher, at 16.4%. The distinction shows how union membership can vary depending on whether the data are grouped by industry or occupation.

• Union apprenticeship programs give contractors a trained workforce they know.
• Apprentices earn while they learn, which gives people a clear route into the skilled trades.
• Signatory contractors often bid on public work that follows prevailing wage standards.
• Trained veterans can bring teamwork and focus to a jobsite.

The International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers and IBEW Local 25 run training centers that build this workforce. At the ULA Network, we also link service with skilled work.

Which Industries Have the Lowest Union Membership Rates?

The lowest union membership rates often appear in small or spread-out workplaces with high staff turnover. There, workers may have less contact and fewer shared job rules.

• Finance had the lowest rate at 0.8%.
• Insurance was at 1.2%, while professional and technical services were at 1.3%.
• Food services and drinking places reached 1.8%.
• Sales and related jobs had a 2.5% union rate.

These low rates do not mean that workers lack shared concerns. Instead, they reflect how the shape of a workplace can make it harder to form a union.

Union Membership Trends 2026 Readers Should Watch

Before we look at the numbers, there’s one important detail to keep in mind. The BLS used 11 months of data for 2025 because October data was not collected during the federal government shutdown. While this means the 2025 figures differ from previous annual averages, they still offer a helpful look at recent union membership trends.

• Public-sector density rose by 0.7 percentage point in 2025.
• Motion pictures and sound recording rose from 8.4% to 11.0%.
• Protective service jobs rose from 29.6% to 31.3%.
• The private sector union membership rate stayed at 5.9%.

This trend may stay strong as more workers keep joining unions in 2026. At the same time, demand is moving toward power, data centers, and large builds. Our report on union construction growth for 2026 shows where new jobs may grow.

Union Members Median Weekly Earnings in 2025

Union members earned median weekly pay of $1,404, while nonunion workers earned $1,174. Still, being in a union did not cause the full $230 gap by itself. Job type, industry, age, firm size, and region also affect pay.

Even so, members can use clear data when they explain how collective bargaining improves wages and working conditions. If people know what a contract can cover, these facts can help them talk about joining.

Use Union Data to Reach More Members

At ULA Network, we track these rates because they shape your career, your benefit fund, and your community. High union density grows through steady work, trusted training, and clear news. If your local wants to reach more members, its story must relate to their work and future.

ULA Network's media services help unions, benefit funds, and industry partners share that story through podcasts, newsletters, video, and events. If you want clear news for your field, contact us. We will build a plan around your members and goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which Single Industry Has the Highest Union Rate?

Local government leads at 37.8%. It employs many teachers, firefighters, and police officers. Those jobs often have clear contract rules.

2. Is the Private-Sector Union Rate Still Falling?

Not in 2025. The rate held at 5.9%. Construction gained 0.8 percentage point. Motion pictures and sound recording gained 2.6 points.

3. Why Do Utilities Workers Unionize at High Rates?

Utilities need trained crews who know local grids, pipelines, and water systems. If a fault occurs, employers need those workers ready. This need helps them form stable union units.

4. Do Union Members Earn More Than Nonunion Workers?

Yes, based on the broad 2025 BLS figures. Median weekly earnings were $1,404 for union members and $1,174 for nonunion workers. Other job and worker traits also affect the gap.

5. Which Age Group Has the Highest Union Rate?

Workers ages 45 to 54 had the highest rate at 12.6%. For ages 16 to 24, the rate was lowest at 4.7%. Strong apprenticeship outreach can help young people find a clear path into union careers.