Every job comes with its challenges, but some come with serious risks. Whether it’s a warehouse employee lifting heavy packages, a nurse on their feet for 12-hour shifts, or a retail worker hustling through the holiday rush, millions of Americans are working in environments where injury is just part of the reality.
In 2023, the U.S. private sector reported over 2.6 million non-fatal workplace injuries. That’s not just a number—it’s a wake-up call. At O’Connor Law, we dug into the latest injury data to uncover the most hazardous industries, the most affected age groups, and the states where injury rates are highest (and lowest).
Here’s what we found.
The Industries Where Injuries Are Most Common
Certain industries repeatedly rank as high-risk, largely due to the nature of the work: physical labor, repetitive movement, long hours, and exposure to potentially dangerous materials or equipment.
The five industries with the highest number of injuries in 2023 were:
- Healthcare & Social Assistance: 471,600 injuries
- Hospitals alone accounted for 185,000
- Retail Trade: 334,700 injuries
- Including over 88,000 in general merchandise stores
- Manufacturing: 326,400 injuries
- Transportation & Warehousing: 255,400 injuries
- Warehousing and couriers combined made up nearly 146,000
- Food & Accommodation Services: 222,700 injuries
Healthcare workers often suffer from sprains, strains, and repetitive motion injuries, while warehouse and transportation employees are frequently injured by slips, equipment, and overexertion.
Who’s Getting Hurt the Most?
While no age group is immune to workplace hazards, workers aged 25 to 54 experience the bulk of reported injuries, likely because they dominate the labor force in high-risk sectors.
Here’s the breakdown:
- 25–34 years: 493,180 injuries
- 35–44 years: 439,560
- 45–54 years: 432,390
- 55–64 years: 386,870
- 20–24 years: 239,180
- 16–19 years: 79,990
Interestingly, younger workers (ages 16–24) report fewer injuries but are more vulnerable due to lack of experience and safety training. Meanwhile, older workers in physically demanding roles continue to report high injury totals.
Gender trends also emerged:
- Women are more likely to sustain non-fatal injuries, especially in healthcare and service roles.
- Men, however, are more likely to be involved in fatal incidents, often tied to construction and industrial roles.
Where Are Injuries Happening?
Location matters. States with large workforces in high-risk industries—like healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing—naturally report more injuries.
Top 5 States with the Most Reported Injuries in 2023:
- California – 363,900
- Texas – 175,900
- Illinois – 101,400
- Ohio – 84,800
- Washington – 81,600
Lowest Injury Totals by State:
- Wyoming – 4,600
- Delaware – 7,200
- Vermont – 7,900
- Montana – 11,500
- West Virginia – 12,300
Smaller states with stricter safety enforcement and fewer high-risk industries tend to have fewer reported injuries.
Skilled vs. Non-Skilled Work: The Injury Divide
One of the clearest takeaways? Job type matters.
- Non-skilled workers—those in hospitality, warehousing, and retail—face higher injury rates. These jobs are fast-paced, physically demanding, and typically come with little formal training or safety oversight.
- Skilled workers—in healthcare, engineering, and finance—benefit from structured safety programs, licensing requirements, and regulatory protections.
The result? More training and better safety infrastructure mean fewer injuries.
How to Reduce Workplace Injuries
While the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) has helped reduce workplace injuries and deaths by 60% since 1970, the numbers from 2023 show that injuries are still far too common.
To make workplaces safer, employers should focus on:
- Ongoing safety training
- Routine hazard assessments
- Strict adherence to OSHA standards
- Access to proper protective gear
These aren’t just checkboxes—they’re the foundation for preventing injuries before they happen.
Workplace safety isn’t just about avoiding lawsuits or checking compliance boxes. It’s about protecting the people who make our businesses run, whether they’re behind the wheel of a delivery truck or the counter of a grocery store.
We believe that everyone deserves a safe and healthy work environment. By understanding the risks, we can push for real change: better policies, safer job sites, and fewer injuries across every industry.
Because at the end of the day, no one should have to risk their health to earn a paycheck.
