The jobs picture right now in 2017

Here's economic development expert Richard Florida on the different groups of workers in today's society.

Why am I so interested in jobs and creating new businesses these days?  Here's why.

The types of workers in 2017 society:

The Creative Class (arts, entertainment, science, management, etc.)  are about 35% of the working population.  As a group, they make over 50% of the wages in the U.S.  Most are doing well.  These are the jobs least likely to be replaced by new technology.

 The manufacturing workers are only about 7% of today's workers.  When you add construction and transportation workers, it rises to about 20% of total workers.  Some make good money, most just make OK money.  Many of these jobs will definitely be replaced by technology in future years.

Agriculture only employs about 1% of workers in the U.S. these days.  Most don't make a lot of money.

Service workers make up about 45% of the current workforce.  Most of these jobs don't pay that well, and many of them leave workers in or near poverty.  Millions of people work two or more of these jobs.  Many of these jobs will also be replaced by new technology in the coming years.  This is where much of the once great American middle class now works.

If we want to keep this country strong, we will need TENS OF MILLIONS of new, good paying jobs in coming years.  The only viable way I see this happening is by millions of people starting their own businesses.