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Top Frontline Industries by Demand and Wage Growth: Q1 2025 Report

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Resume Now and Talroo partner to reveal which industries are most in need of essential workers—and where pay is rising fastest

GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — In Q1 2025, trucking wages surged 16%, and job postings for frontline roles outpaced available candidates across nearly every major sector in the U.S. To provide a comprehensive analysis of the frontline labor market, Resume Now®, a simple and effective resume and cover letter building service, and Talroo, a leading provider of AI-driven job advertising for attracting frontline and skilled trades professionals, have partnered to deliver the Top Frontline Industries by Demand and Wage Growth: Q1 2025 Report, based on data between January 1, 2025March 31, 2025.

“Despite continued uncertainty across sectors and broader economic concerns, the need for skilled frontline workers remains strong—and in many industries, it’s growing,” said Thad Price, CEO of Talroo.

Frontline workers are the backbone of the economy, and these essential roles are seeing both rising wages and hiring challenges. The report identifies the industries experiencing the biggest hiring gaps and the highest wage growth— providing valuable insight for both job seekers and employers navigating the current labor market.

The 10 Frontline Industries with the Biggest Talent Gaps
These industries saw the largest mismatch between job postings (demand) and candidate supply (resumes) in Q1 2025. The top ten industries with the biggest talent gaps, in order from highest to lowest:

Trucking Allied healthcare CaregivingCustomer service Manufacturing Retail Administrative Sales Food services Warehousing

What the Data Tells Us About Frontline Hiring Demand
As measured by resumes per job post and comparing year over year, additional insight about the most in-demand frontline industries includes:

1. Trucking – High Demand, Fewer Applicants

The trucking industry continues to face a qualified labor shortage, resulting in fewer applicants per job and steady demand for new drivers.Job seekers with a CDL or logistics experience can find strong opportunities with competitive wages, although policy and economic changes in Q2 2025 may result in shifts.

2. Allied Healthcare & Caregiving – More Jobs, Fewer Candidates

Hospitals, nursing homes, and home healthcare agencies are struggling to fill essential roles.Positions such as medical assistants, caregivers, and patient care technicians are seeing increased demand, creating more opportunities for job seekers with relevant skills or training.

3. Customer Service & Retail – Fewer Job Seekers, More Openings

These industries continue to experience hiring challenges, as the number of active and qualified job seekers has dropped significantly compared to 2024.With fewer qualified applicants, job seekers may find faster interview timelines and better leverage in negotiating flexibility or wages—especially in urban markets.

4. Manufacturing & Warehousing – Still Hiring, But Improving Balance

While these sectors remain in high demand, applicant availability has improved slightly compared to other industries.Despite being a particularly tumultuous policy time for this industry, job seekers with experience in logistics, production, or warehouse operations can still find ample opportunities.

5. Sales & Food Services – Shifting Landscapes

Interest in sales and food service roles has declined, creating hiring difficulties for employers, although these trends will vary state-by-state.Job seekers considering these fields may have greater leverage in negotiating pay and schedules due to labor shortages or due to state regulations such as California’s recent regulations of food service wages.

6. Administrative Roles – A Stable Job Market

The admin sector maintains a steady balance of jobs and applicants.Data entry, scheduling, and support staff roles remain reliable.

“Despite continued uncertainty across sectors and broader economic concerns, the need for skilled frontline workers remains strong—and in many industries, it’s growing,” said Thad Price, CEO of Talroo. “From trucking to healthcare, employers are still struggling to fill essential roles that keep our communities running. This data provides a clear call to action: to invest in smarter recruiting strategies, support workforce development, and help more people connect with meaningful, high-demand jobs.”

Where Wages Are Rising Fastest for Frontline Workers
This ranking highlights the year-over-year hourly wage increases these in-demand industries experienced. Six of the top ten frontline industries saw above-average wage increases in Q1 2025. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average total compensation increase in 2024 was 3.8%.

Ordered from highest to lowest, these are the top 10 most in-demand frontline industries by wage growth:

1. Trucking

Q1 Wage Growth: 16%2025 Q1 Avg Hourly Wage: $25.492024 Q1 Avg Hourly Wage: $22.05

2. Warehousing

Q1 Wage Growth: 15%2025 Q1 Avg Hourly Wage: $19.782024 Q1 Avg Hourly Wage: $17.23

3. Administrative

Q1 Wage Growth: 10%2025 Q1 Avg Hourly Wage: $22.132024 Q1 Avg Hourly Wage: $20.20

4. Customer Service

Q1 Wage Growth: 10%2025 Q1 Avg Hourly Wage: $19.152024 Q1 Avg Hourly Wage: $17.42

5. Caregiving

Q1 Wage Growth: 8%2025 Q1 Avg Hourly Wage: $16.822024 Q1 Avg Hourly Wage: $15.56

6. Retail

Q1 Wage Growth: 7%2025 Q1 Avg Hourly Wage: $17.442024 Q1 Avg Hourly Wage: $16.27

7. Allied Healthcare

Q1 Wage Growth: 3%2025 Q1 Avg Hourly Wage: $33.802024 Q1 Avg Hourly Wage: $32.78

8. Sales

Q1 Wage Growth: 3%2025 Q1 Avg Hourly Wage: $16.952024 Q1 Avg Hourly Wage: $16.50

9. Food Services

Q1 Wage Growth: 3%2025 Q1 Avg Hourly Wage: $16.132024 Q1 Avg Hourly Wage: $15.63

10. Manufacturing

Q1 Wage Growth: -1%2025 Q1 Avg Hourly Wage: $22.752024 Q1 Avg Hourly Wage: $23.06

What’s Driving Wage Increases in 2025

Trucking and Warehouse wages surged in Q1 2025 with double-digit wage spikes (16% and 15% growth), hitting new heights not seen since 2022. This followed a protracted softening of wages dating back to 2023. With these two industries anticipated to be impacted by tariffs and other social policies, it will be interesting to monitor how employers respond in Q2 2025.Although trucking wages are challenging to analyze in aggregate—due to the industry’s use of per-mile, per-diem, and other variable pay models—the wage increases reflected in the Frontline Worker Index align closely with recent industry data. These include the National Transportation Institute’s report of the “strongest year-over-year gains in a year,” the Driver Pay Index rising to 134, and TruckingDive’s observation that pay in the 50-to-55 cent per mile range has become more prevalent for drivers with one to three years of experience.Administrative roles saw a 10% rise, reaching $22.13.Customer Service, Caregiving, and Retail saw similar gains, growing 10%, 8% and 7% respectively.Allied Healthcare remained the highest-paying industry for frontline workers in Q1 2025, with an average hourly wage of $33.80, reflecting a modest 3% annual increase.Sales and Food Services experienced modest growth of 3%, reaching $16.95 and $16.13, respectively.Manufacturing was the only industry to see a (very) slight decline (-1%) in average frontline worker wages compared to Q1 2024, experiencing a turbulent start to 2025. It continues to grapple with the ripple effects of global tariffs and evolving social policies. Whether these measures will ultimately revitalize domestic manufacturing—and lift wages in the coming quarters—remains uncertain.

“With so many frontline industries experiencing labor shortages and rising wages, now is the perfect time for job seekers to position themselves for success,” said Keith Spencer, career expert at Resume Now. “To stand out, workers should focus on crafting resumes that emphasize their most valuable skills. Truck drivers, for example, should highlight certifications like a CDL endorsement or experience with logistics software. Warehouse workers can showcase OSHA safety training and inventory management expertise. By tailoring resumes with industry-specific keywords and demonstrating problem-solving abilities, frontline workers can maximize their job opportunities and take advantage of the current hiring trends.”

Methodology:
The rankings are based on Talroo’s Frontline Worker Index, which tracks job posting demand, resume supply, wage trends, scheduling shifts, and the broader economic forces shaping the frontline labor market. Powered by Talroo’s first-party data, the index processes 26 million job posts monthly, capturing 187 million data points across industries and regions.

Explore the full Q1 2025 Frontline Worker Index at https://www.resume-now.com/job-resources/careers/frontline-index-report or https://www.talroo.com/talroo-frontline-worker-index/ or contact Joseph Santaella at joseph.santaella@bold.com.

About Resume Now
Since 2005, Resume Now has offered job seekers a fast and easy way to create a beautifully designed, expert-backed resume. With pre-written, industry-specific phrases and recruiter-approved templates, the award-winning builder enables users to create a polished and professional resume in minutes. Resume Now has been featured in major outlets such as Fortune, Forbes, and more. Stay connected with Resume Now’s latest updates on Facebook and LinkedIn.

About Talroo
Talroo is a data-driven talent matching platform built to help businesses source and attract frontline and skilled trades workers that traditional job boards overlook. By leveraging real-time applicant tracking system (ATS) data and AI-driven technology, Talroo is reinventing the job board. Powering millions of job searches daily, Talroo optimizes hiring cost and outcomes through its proprietary Apply Intelligence™ technology, apply signals, and behavioral insights.
Recognized for innovation in talent acquisition, Talroo has earned multiple industry awards, including the Lighthouse Research & Advisory HR Tech Award and a Brandon Hall Group Gold Award for Excellence. Talroo has also been named a Leader in Recruitment Marketing and Easiest to Do Business With by G2 based on customer satisfaction and peer reviews. Learn more at http://www.talroo.com.

About Frontline Worker Index
The Frontline Worker Index (FWI) delivers near real-time insights into labor market dynamics for frontline and essential workers. Powered by Talroo’s first-party data, the index processes 26 million job posts monthly, capturing 187 million data points across industries and regions. Analyzing trends in job supply and demand, wages, work schedules, education and experience requirements, and valued benefits, FWI equips HR professionals and recruiters with the data needed to attract, hire, and retain talent in a competitive market. Learn more at https://www.talroo.com/talroo-frontline-worker-index/.

Media Contact

Joseph Santaella, Resume Now, 787-236-9388, joseph.santaella@bold.com, https://www.resume-now.com/

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/top-frontline-industries-by-demand-and-wage-growth-q1-2025-report-302427249.html

SOURCE Resume Now

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TiTE x IHT 2026: The Definitive Hub for Taiwan’s Hardware Manufacturing Excellence

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TAICHUNG, May 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — When sourcing from Taiwan, location is the ultimate strategic advantage. Don’t be misled by smaller, general trade shows held in city centers like Taipei. To truly connect with the source, you must go where the products are born. TiTE x IHT (Oct 20-22, 2026) in Taichung is the undisputed largest and most vital hardware industrial expo on the island. Hosted directly in the heart of Taiwan’s precision manufacturing cluster, this event features 1,000+ booths and 500+ top-tier manufacturers, offering a scale and industrial depth that no other exhibition can replicate.

Why Global Buyers Choose the Taichung Source Over Urban Trade Shows:

The Revolutionary “Exhibition as Factory” Model: Taichung is the global epicenter for hardware, home to 70% of Taiwan’s industry output. Our unique location enables the “30-Minute Sourcing Circle.” This allows you to verify high-end samples on the show floor in the morning and audit world-class production lines by the afternoon. By eliminating the travel gap between the booth and the factory, we reduce traditional procurement cycles from weeks to hours, providing unmatched transparency for R&D, capacity assessment, and quality control.ESG & CBAM Compliance for Western Markets: As the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and global ESG mandates reshape trade, our exhibitors are already ahead of the curve. Discover CBAM-ready solutions and green manufacturing processes specifically designed to meet the strict sustainability requirements of the European and American markets. We provide more than just tools; we provide carbon-footprint-managed resilience for your brand.AI-Driven Smart Manufacturing: Address global labor shortages and rising costs with Taiwan’s latest innovations. The 2026 expo focuses on “AI Empowerment,” showcasing collaborative robotics, automated digital inspection, and data-driven supply chain management. These technologies ensure lead-time stability and high-precision consistency for premium global brand owners.Direct Sourcing & Global Matchmaking: Skip the middlemen and trading agencies. Our “Global Buyer Day” offers exclusive, pre-arranged matchmaking with the actual OEMs/ODMs. This is the primary decision-making platform for major distributors seeking resilient, direct-to-factory partnerships that guarantee the best pricing and priority production slots.

Experience the synergy of smart manufacturing and global trade. Stop at the source—where the world’s hardware is actually built. Secure your competitive edge in the true heart of the industry.

【TiTE x IHT】

Date: October 20-22, 2026Venue: TICEC, Taichung, TaiwanRegister Now: https://accu.ps/g8MZ1SHousing Subsidy: https://forms.gle/34VHVxSrEw7g8GxDAOfficial Website: https://www.hardwareexpotw.com

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SOURCE TiTE x IHT

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KIST Accelerates U.S. Expansion of Quantum Deep-Tech Startups Through SelectUSA 2026

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SEOUL, South Korea, May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) President Oh Sang-rok announced that it will participate in the SelectUSA Investment Summit 2026 as part of a Korean delegation, together with quantum technology startups supported by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups under the Deeptech Project (DIPS).

The initiative, supported by South Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS), is part of the government’s “Deeptech Incubator Project for Startups” (DIPS) initiative, which aims to nurture globally competitive deep-tech ventures.

KIST, which serves as the lead institution for the quantum technology sector under the program, said it will oversee the global commercialization efforts of participating firms. In particular, the “Global Bridge Program,” jointly developed with the U.S. Embassy in Korea in September 2025, is an official program designed to generate tangible overseas expansion outcomes by linking investment attraction with local market entry through diplomatic channels.

Organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the SelectUSA Investment Summit is the largest investment promotion event in the US, connecting international startups with venture capital firms, corporate investors and state-level economic development agencies.

It serves as an execution-oriented platform that extends to investment, corporate establishment, site selection, and tax incentives, and is considered a key entry gateway for deep-tech companies, including those in quantum technology.

KIST said participation in the summit is particularly significant for deep-tech sectors such as quantum technology, where access to the US innovation ecosystem is seen as key to growth.

The program is conducted in two stages. From April 30 to May 1, companies took part in a spin-off program hosted by the State of Maryland, which included visits to research institutions and tours of the regional quantum technology ecosystem.

During this period, the delegation also conducted localized activities with the Maryland state government and its economic development agencies, focusing on investment attraction, corporate collaboration, and joint R&D. In addition, on May 5, the delegation held discussions with U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary William Kimmitt on potential areas of cooperation.

The delegation will also meet officials from Fairfax County Government to explore collaboration and investment opportunities.

The main summit, currently ongoing from May 3 to May 6, features exhibitions, pitching sessions and meetings with US state representatives, with participating firms expected to engage in discussions on investment and market entry.

The delegation is structured to encompass the entire quantum industry rather than a single technology domain.

The Korean delegation comprises five startups, alongside Kyung Hee University Department of Future Science & Technology Commercialization Policy and Entrepreneurship, with approximately 20 participants forming an integrated ecosystem that combines research institutes, academia, and startups, enabling a full-cycle support system from technology validation to commercialization and global expansion.

One of the firms, OptiQ-Labs, was selected for an official pitching session on May 4, where it presented its laser-based optical modules designed for ion-trap quantum computing systems.

This highly competitive program selects only around 100 companies from more than 20,000 applicants worldwide. If selected as the winner of the pitching session, the company will receive follow-up meetings with U.S. state governments and economic development agencies, access to global investor networks, support for local entity establishment, and connections to site selection and tax incentive programs.

Other participating companies include QUAD, which develops single-photon detection technology; SLEEX, focused on underwater sensing; Elixir (StatUp AI), which works on quantum-classical hybrid algorithms for healthcare; and SQK (QMEDIC), specializing in physics-based imaging solutions.

KIST Project Director, Kang Sunjoon, said, “This program represents a critical milestone for Korean quantum startups to directly connect with global investors and industry ecosystems. Via the DIPS program, we are actively promoting the global commercialization of quantum technologies.”

Through its participation in SelectUSA, KIST has established a package-type global expansion model that integrates technology validation, investment attraction, and U.S. market entry.

The summit serves as a turning point for South Korea’s quantum sector, enabling startups to move into the next phase of validation, investment, and overseas expansion.

For more information, visit https://eng.kist.re.kr/.

About KIST 

KIST was established in 1966 as the first government-funded research institute in South Korea. KIST now strives to solve national and social challenges and secure growth engines through leading and innovative research.

About Participating Quantum Startups

QUAD, led by Chief Executive Officer, Oh Byung-doo, develops quantum sensing technologies based on superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs), offering high sensitivity and precision with applications spanning quantum communication, quantum computing, semiconductor inspection, and defense.

SLEEX is developing an advanced perception technology that combines quantum LiDAR and electric field sensing to overcome limitations of existing underwater sensors, particularly by eliminating blind zones within the 0–2 meter range, with strong potential in autonomous navigation, maritime security, and defense, with Lee Jeho at the helm as Chief Executive Officer.  (https://www.thesleex.com)

Elixir, headed by Chief Executive Officer Jang Jung-kwon, develops a drug discovery and biomarker analysis platform based on quantum-classical hybrid algorithms, targeting the precision medicine market through the integration of bioinformatics and quantum machine learning. (statupai.com)

SQK develops medical imaging AI based on quantum-physics constraints, addressing the hallucination issues of conventional AI by ensuring physical consistency in CT and MRI reconstruction. Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Kim Yoon-hak, SQK is improving reliability and reducing the need for re-scans in clinical settings. (www.sqkcloud.com)

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kist-accelerates-us-expansion-of-quantum-deep-tech-startups-through-selectusa-2026-302763636.html

SOURCE The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)

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Former Visa Asia Pacific Executive David Tay Joins YeahPay as Global Vice President

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SINGAPORE, May 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — YeahPay, the international payment brand under YEAHKA (9923.HK), has appointed David Tay, a former senior executive at Visa Asia Pacific, as Global Vice President, tasking him with overseeing the strategic direction and product ecosystem development of YEAHKA’s overseas payment business. The appointment comes as global digital trade enters a new phase defined by ecosystem integration, with payment infrastructure undergoing a generational shift in acceleration.

David Tay, a Singaporean national, is a rising leader in the payments industry. During his career at Visa, David played a key role in driving business growth across multiple Southeast Asian markets, demonstrating early promise in commercial insight and innovation. He subsequently moved into Visa’s Innovation division, where he rose to serve as Head of Innovation, leading Visa Pacific’s product innovation and new business.

In that capacity, David led the commercialization of cutting-edge payment paradigms including Visa Flex Credential and Pay by Palm. He was also involved in the evaluation and governance of strategic partners across the region, accumulating deep expertise in collaborating with banks, fintechs, and large-scale enterprise merchants.

David’s track record spans the full go-to-market lifecycle, from concept to pilot to scale, as well as deep capabilities in cross-institutional partnerships and ecosystem development. His appointment comes at an inflection point for YEAHKA’s international expansion. According to YEAHKA’s 2025 annual report, its overseas business delivered full-year Gross Payment Volume (GPV) surpassing RMB 5 billion, representing a 323.3% year-on-year surge from RMB 1.1 billion in 2024.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/former-visa-asia-pacific-executive-david-tay-joins-yeahpay-as-global-vice-president-302763652.html

SOURCE Yeahka

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