The U.S. aluminum industry is a key element of the nation's manufacturing base. Strong, lightweight and recyclable, aluminum is a material uniquely suited to meet the needs and challenges of the 21st century. From increasing vehicle fuel efficiency to green building products to sustainable packaging, aluminum is well positioned in the U.S. and global markets.
A study by economic research firm John Dunham & Associates highlights the importance of the aluminum industry to the U.S. economy.
Today, the U.S. aluminum industry:
While the initial economic impact report was completed in March of 2020, subsequent modeling shows the impact of COVID-19 on industry jobs and economic output. The latest modeling through August 2020 suggests that direct industry jobs and economic output have likely declined about 11 percent since the study was originally completed.
Download a full pdf of our industry economic impact infographic
Overall employment in U.S. aluminum has held largely steady for most of the past decade though most sectors lost jobs between 2018 and 2020. These shifts were offset by an increase in jobs in the primary aluminum segment in the 2020 report, which represent about 3 percent of U.S. aluminum jobs overall.
The map below provides detailed information on the economic contributions generated by the aluminum industry in the United States. To see how the industry creates jobs in your state or congressional district, click on the map or on the drop-down boxes below.