New Study: 234,600 Illinois jobs supported by natural gas and oil

Industry added $33.35 billion to state’s economy in 2015

Springfield, Ill., August 1, 2017 – The Illinois Petroleum Council today released a new study showing that the U.S. natural gas and oil industry supported 234,600 jobs in the state and contributed $33.35 billion to the state’s economy in 2015. The study found that all 50 states, whether energy producing or not, continued to benefit from the industry.

"This study is another indicator of how the oil and natural gas industry helps the Illinois economy,” said Executive Director Jim Watson. “Even as our state's economy has struggled, oil and natural gas continues to thrive.  It is important that lawmakers implement policies that create an environment for continued growth.”

“This study validates the role of the natural gas and oil industry in growing the U.S. economy and supporting more than 10 million workers from coast-to-coast,” said API President and CEO Jack Gerard. “Natural gas and oil touches virtually every facet of our life – from heating our homes and fueling transportation to life-saving medical devices and cosmetics at the drug store. This study is further proof of the positive impact that U.S. resources have on workers and communities across the nation.”

The study, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and commissioned by API, showed that the natural gas and oil industry supported 10.3 million U.S. jobs in 2015. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average wage paid by the natural gas and oil industry in 2016, excluding retail station jobs, was $101,181 which is nearly 90 percent more than the national average.

To view the full study, please visit the API website.

To view a one-pager on the study, please see the attached document or visit the API website.

To learn more about jobs in the industry, including opportunities for veterans, please visit the API website.

The Illinois Petroleum Council is a division of API, which represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 625 members produce, process, and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry supports 10.3 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 40 million Americans.

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Natural Gas and Oil: Fuel Illinois

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