One-Third Of Employers Plan To Hire Immigrant Workers In 2017

Immigrant backlash is not impacting hiring of job candidates born outside the U.S., according to a new CareerBuilder Survey.

In the midst of ongoing debate around immigration, U.S. employers plan to reach beyond borders to help fill U.S. jobs. A third of employers (33 percent) say they plan to hire immigrant workers in 2017, with 16 percent planning to do so in the second quarter, according to a new CareerBuilder survey.

Immigrant WorkersWhile 35 percent of workers voiced concern about immigrants taking U.S. jobs in general, the vast majority of workers (90 percent) don’t have any concerns about immigrant workers taking their own jobs.

Compensation For Immigrant Workers

There has been much discourse around how much immigrants earn compared to other workers, but from the employer’s perspective, they don’t see much of a difference, if at all. Of employers who hire immigrant workers, the vast majority (80 percent) say that they pay the same to both U.S. born workers and immigrants working in the same roles. Twelve percent of these employers reported that they pay immigrants less while 9 percent reported that they pay immigrants more.

Job Functions For Immigrant Workers

The types of functional positions non-U.S. born workers are being recruited to fill varies from industry to industry. Among employers who are hiring immigrant workers this year, this includes:

  • Technical: 42 percent
  • Administrative: 31 percent
  • Manual labor: 31 percent
  • Sales: 30 percent
  • Creative: 29 percent
  • Financial: 25 percent
  • Managerial: 23 percent

“Immigrant workers continue to play an integral part in the U.S. workforce and economy,” said Rosemary Haefner, chief human resources officer for CareerBuilder. “A significant number of U.S. employers are hiring workers from other countries in an effort to navigate around the growing skills gap and fill increasingly complex and rapidly evolving roles.”

Top Industries Hiring Foreign Born Workers

Immigrant workers looking for employment can expect to find opportunities across multiple industries, with IT housing the largest percentage of employers who plan to hire them this year:

  • IT: 50 percent
  • Financial Services: 38 percent
  • Professional & Business Services: 37 percent
  • Manufacturing: 30 percent
  • Transportation¹: 30 percent
  • Health care: 21 percent
  • Retail: 18 percent

Immigrant Hiring By Company Size

Plans to hire immigrant workers in 2017 are consistent across companies of all sizes, and especially with larger companies, which tend to have more job openings in general:

  • 1-50 employees: 16 percent
  • 51-250 employees: 35 percent
  • 251-500 employees: 46 percent
  • 501+ employees: 42 percent

CareerBuilder’s latest study on immigration was conducted online by Harris Poll from February 16 to March 9, 2017 and included representative samples of 2,380 full-time employers and 3,215 full-time workers across industries and company sizes in the private sector.

¹Base size less than 100

Daily News, Economic Development, Featured, International, Site Selection Factors, Surveys, Research & Forecast Analysis, Workforce Development

American Jobs, CareerBuilder, Employment, Expansion, foreign-born workers, hiring plans, immigrant workers, Immigration, Survey, Workforce Development

Sponsored Content
Featured Location
Featured Video

Webinars, Podcasts & Videos

Camp Hall – A Next Generation Commerce Park in South Carolina

Camp Hall is a first-of-its-kind, master-planned industrial work space located in Charleston, S.C. As a convergence of people, place and programming, Camp Hall delivers thoughtful infrastructure and logistical features that empower people — and business — to thrive.

Hear from leaders at the Destination Medical Center and Mayo Clinic Business Development in Rochester about why they feel Minnesota is filled with opportunities for founders and why investors should consider the power of startups in Minnesota.

Business Benefits In Minnesota, a Mayo Clinic Business Development and Destination Medical Center Perspective

Hear from leaders at the Destination Medical Center and Mayo Clinic Business Development in Rochester about why they feel Minnesota is filled with opportunities for founders and why investors should consider the power of startups in Minnesota.

Agricultural Heritage Meets Strong Manufacturing Base With a rich history in agriculture, the region is now made up of a strong manufacturing base, including everything from snack foods and Gatorade, to leading human resources software and revolutionary plug-less power systems for electric vehicles. Mount Rogers Regional Partnership's strategic East Coast location is the driving force.

Virginia’s i81-i77 Crossroads | Talent Retention & Manufacturing

Learn about manufacturing jobs and facilities in the Mount Rogers region of southwest Virginia. There is ample opportunity for education and jobs in a region rich with culture and heritage.

Share to...