Wilmington Ranked High in Job Growth Through 2025
The city saw significant gains in white-collar and service-based employment during the decade ending in 2025.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Employment
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Wilmington ranked third nationally in white-collar job growth between 2019 and 2025, recording a 26.2% increase in that sector. During the same period, the city also placed second nationally in service job growth.
Why it matters
The surge in employment, particularly within service-based roles, was fueled by population gains and expanding consumer demand. These trends reflect broader shifts toward local economies in the Sun Belt and Mountain West regions.
Wilmington saw white-collar job growth reach 26.2% from 2019 to 2025, while blue-collar roles grew 31.9% between 2015 and 2025. By 2025, service jobs accounted for 43.1% of the workforce, whereas military roles comprised just 0.3%.
The details
Job growth in Wilmington consistently outperformed broader trends as the city capitalized on regional economic expansion. While white-collar and service roles flourished, the city experienced a 12.1% decline in military-related employment over the decade.
Timeline
From 2015 to 2025, Wilmington tracked growth across white-collar, service, and blue-collar sectors.
Data collection for the city's workforce composition concluded in 2025.
The primary period for ranking the city's white-collar and service job growth was 2019 through 2025.
Macro View
Wilmington's employment trajectory aligns with the documented trend of job growth shifting toward the Sun Belt and Mountain West. This movement mirrors historical cycles where economic opportunities migrated toward markets with rapid population gains and increased consumer demand.
The steady growth in service and white-collar sectors indicates a larger pool of potential jobs for local residents. These shifts may impact local housing demand and the overall cost of living as the workforce continues to expand.
The takeaway
Wilmington's status as a top-tier market for white-collar and service job growth demonstrates the importance of regional economic diversification. Residents should monitor local hiring trends to align their career paths with these expanding sectors.
Further reading
For more information on labor trends, visit Employment.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WilmingtonBiz.
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