Here’s an overview of the most common jobs and sectors of employment in Honduras, based on recent data:
Employment by Sector
As of 2024–2025, the largest portions of the Honduran workforce are employed in:
- Services: ~52% of workers
- Agriculture: ~24%
- Industry (manufacturing, construction, etc.): ~23%
Historically (circa 2017), employment was distributed as roughly:
- Services: 50.3%
- Agriculture: 28.5%
- Industry: 21.2%
These patterns show a shift toward the service sector over time.
Typical Occupations
Services Sector (over half of all employment):
- Retail and wholesale trade
- Hospitality and tourism (especially in coastal and ecotourism zones)
- Call centers and BPO services, particularly in cities like San Pedro Sula
- Banking, financial services, real estate, and personal services
Agriculture (particularly in rural areas):
- Farming of coffee, bananas, sugarcane, palm oil, citrus, shrimp, etc.
Industry:
- Textiles and apparel (maquiladoras) — major employer in industrial zones
- Manufacturing of goods like food products, auto parts, pharmaceuticals
- Construction and infrastructure development
Other Notable Employment Types
- Informal Sector: Street vendors, small-scale trades, and unregulated labor provide livelihoods but lack job security or benefits
- Tourism & Fisheries: Especially vital in areas like the Bay Islands, where tourism and fishing account for about half of economic output
- Emerging/Bespoke Sectors: Examples include jellyfish processing in La Mosquitia—which initially created new jobs but later saw dramatic declines due to weather disruptions—highlight the vulnerability of niche industries.
At a Glance: Common Jobs in Honduras
Sector | Typical Roles |
---|---|
Services | Retail sales, hospitality staff, call center agents, bank tellers, real estate agents, personal services |
Agriculture | Farmers, plantation workers (coffee, bananas, sugarcane, etc.) |
Industry | Factory and manufacturing workers, construction laborers, textile workers |
Informal Economy | Street vendors, informal service providers, casual laborers |