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United States of Work

Ten stories, one question: "Is the economy working for you?"

United States of Work

What if the U.S. labor force were 10 people?

Our re-imagining of the 164 million people who make this economy work.

United States of Work

Meet the People

New York City, NY
New York City, NY

Michael, certified public accountant

Meet Michael
Portland, OR
Portland, OR

Neil, bartender

Meet Neil
Boise, ID
Boise, ID

Ashley, hair stylist

Meet Ashley
Nashville, TN
Nashville, TN

Stephanie, executive director of an independent movie theater

Meet Stephanie
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, CA

Rocio, construction worker

Meet Rocio
Kansas City, MO
Kansas City, MO

Steve, professional driver

Meet Steve
Logan, OH
Logan, OH

Scott, family physician

Meet Scott
Centennial, CO
Centennial, CO

Kate, new account representative

Meet Kate
Ashburn, VA
Ashburn, VA

Gaile, cashier

Meet Gaile
St. Paul, MN
St. Paul, MN

Derrick, community college dean

Meet Derrick
United States of Work

How and why we chose these 10 people

Learn More

From This Collection

United States of Work

Meet Steve, 55, professional driver

by Kai Ryssdal and Bridget Bodnar
Feb 18, 2020
The Bureau of Labor Statistics would categorize Steve’s job as “production, transportation, and material moving” along with butchers, sewing machine operators and furniture makers, to name a few. One in 10 workers in the U.S. labor force are in this category.
Steve Fields
Paul Andrews
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United States of Work

Meet Rocio, 24, construction worker

by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst
Feb 18, 2020
The Bureau of Labor Statistics would categorize Rocio’s job most broadly as “natural resources, construction and maintenance occupations.” One in 10 workers work jobs in that category.
Ben Hethcoat
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United States of Work

Meet Scott, 51, family physician

by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst
Feb 18, 2020
The Bureau of Labor Statistics would categorize his occupation under "management, professional, and related occupations," along with four in 10 US workers.
Cassidy Brauner
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United States of Work

Meet Kate, 24, new account representative at a bank

by Kai Ryssdal and Bridget Bodnar
Feb 18, 2020
Kate's work is part of the "Sales and Office Occupations," category, like 20% of the U.S. labor force. She has an associate's degree.
Matt Staver
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United States of Work

Meet Gaile, 70, convenience store cashier

by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst
Feb 18, 2020
Gaile is part of the sales industry and works part time. She's part of the largest growing segment of workers — those over 55.
Melissa Lyttle
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United States of Work

Meet Derrick, 40, college dean

by Kai Ryssdal and Bridget Bodnar
Feb 18, 2020
Derrick's work is characterized as "management, professional, like 40% of the U.S. workforce.
Caroline Yang
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United States of Work

Meet Stephanie, 49, executive director of a movie theater

by Kai Ryssdal and Bridget Bodnar
Feb 18, 2020
The Bureau of Labor Statistics would categorize her under “management, professional, and related occupations," along with four in 10 U.S. workers. This category also includes teachers, dentists, CEOs and a wide range of other professions.
Amiee Stubbs
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United States of Work

Meet Neil, 34, bartender

by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst
Feb 18, 2020
The Bureau of Labor Statistics would categorize Neil's job as a “service occupation,” along with a wide range of other workers. Two in 10 people work jobs in that category.
Thomas Patterson
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United States of Work

Meet Ashley, 34, hair stylist

by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst
Feb 18, 2020
Ashley is part of the service industry and like 80% of the U.S. labor force, works full time.
Arlie Sommer
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United States of Work

Meet Michael, 31, accountant

by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst
Feb 18, 2020
The Bureau of Labor Statistics would categorize his job under “management, professional, and related occupations," along with four out of 10 U.S. workers.
Peter Balonon-Rosen
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