This occupation supported 3,325,300 jobs in 2012 and 3,443,800 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 3.6%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 7.9% in 2022 to 3,588,300 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 3,377,900, compared with an observed value of 3,443,800, 2.0% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are about on track with the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 4.6% in 2024 to 3,597,700 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 3,640,900 jobs for 2024, 1.2% higher than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are about on track with the 2012 trend within this occupation.