More than 10% of U.S. jobs and GDP supported by CPG

ARLINGTON, Va. – The consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry supports one in 10 American jobs and is the largest manufacturing employer in the United States, according to a new report released today by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA). The findings from the study, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), show that the CPG industry supports 20.4 million jobs that generate $1.1 trillion in labor income, and contribute $2 trillion to the nation’s GDP.

“The CPG industry’s impact on the American economy cannot be overstated,” said GMA President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “Most people don’t consider the jobs and livelihoods they are supporting when they purchase a new tube of toothpaste or stock up on their favorite snacks, but the products we all rely on each day have an enormous impact on our economy.”

The CPG industry encompasses the food, beverage, household and personal care products that Americans depend on every day. The industry’s direct impact alone is massive, totaling 2.3 million jobs in 2017, paying labor income of $151.0 billion and adding $361.3 billion to the nation’s GDP. The average income for employees of the CPG industry is $4,000 more than the national income average ($64,700 vs. $60,700). The industry also directly accounts for 18% of all U.S. manufacturing employment.

Through its indirect, induced and downstream impacts, the industry supports more than 18 million additional jobs in the wider economy that generate $957 billion in labor income and contribute $1.6 trillion in GDP. The additional support is a result of economic activity in related industries, such as agriculture – that produces everything from tomatoes for ketchup to aloe for skincare – or retail to get CPG products into the hands of consumers who depend on them.

The GMA study is the most detailed, comprehensive look at the CPG industry, with economic data for every state and congressional district. The positive effects of the CPG industry are felt coast to coast. California may have topped the states for the most CPG jobs, but in Nebraska nearly a fifth (19%) of all employment is directly and indirectly supported by the CPG industry, the highest of any state. The CPG industry directly provides at least 500 jobs in every congressional district. In 174 districts, the industry directly provides more than 5,000 jobs.

For more information about the study, visit gmaonline.org/CPGimpact.

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Methodology

PwC relied on the IMPLAN model to calculate the economic contributions of the U.S. CPG industry. IMPLAN is a modeling system developed for estimating economic impacts and is similar to the Regional Input-Output Modeling System developed by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The model is primarily based on government data source