Aluminum Nation
For more than a decade, the Aluminum Association has worked with research firm John Dunham & Associates to produce economic impact impact studies that capture U.S. aluminum jobs, wages, output and other information on an ongoing basis. Data is sortable to the congressional district level.
Today, the U.S. aluminum industry:
- Directly employs more than 165,000 workers and indirectly supports an additional 706,000+ workers.
- Directly generates more than $115 billion in economic output and indirectly generates an additional $211 billion in economic output.
- Supports more than 871,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs and more than $326 billion in economic output.
- Committed or invested more than $11 billion in domestic manufacturing since 2016.
A 2026 study by economic research firm John Dunham & Associates highlights the importance of the aluminum industry to the U.S. economy.
Aluminum Jobs by Sector
While jobs in the primary aluminum sector declined by 76% since the association’s first economic impact study in 2013, jobs in mid-and-downstream production and recycling have largely held steady or increased. Between 2024 and 2026, secondary aluminum production (recycling) (+21.9%); aluminum coatings (+23.11%); and sheet & extrusions (+22.2%) jobs grew significantly.
Other Key Findings:
- Workers directly employed by the U.S. aluminum industry earn more than $18 billion in wages and benefits.
- Indirect and induced employment creates nearly $60 billion in additional wages and benefits.
- When all employment supported by the industry is considered, these jobs generate nearly $30 billion in federal, state and local taxes.
How U.S. Aluminum Impacts Your Community
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.