The Energy Information Administration (EIA) has noted the critical role the oil and gas industry has played in the labor market over the last 5 years: "From the start of 2007 through the end of 2012, total U.S. private sector employment increased by more than one million jobs, about 1%. Over the same period, the oil and natural gas industry increased by more than 162,000 jobs, a 40% increase." Graphically:
