Service Industry Jobs Boom as Restaurants and Hotels Scramble to Meet Demand

Leisure and hospitality job growth is fueling overall labor market strength, accounting for nearly 1 in 5 of the new jobs added over the past year.

Restaurants in particular are experiencing a hiring boom, with over 53,000 new restaurants opened in 2022 exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

Immigration and layoffs in other industries like tech are helping provide an influx of potential workers to fill persistent leisure and hospitality labor shortages.

The sector is expanding to follow remote-working customers who have moved to the suburbs from cities.

For workers like single mom Jaime James, service industry jobs appeal due to the possibility of immediate cash from tips to supplement rising living costs.