Key Takeaways:
- TikTok supports 4.7 million jobs in the U.S., impacting both large and small businesses.
- California leads with the most jobs linked to TikTok, followed by Texas, Florida, and New York.
- Small businesses see big benefits from TikTok, with 8.5% of their workforce using the platform directly.
- A potential TikTok ban could harm 64% of businesses, especially those owned by women.
- The platform’s features like TikTok Shop are driving growth, generating $9 billion in 2024.
TikTok is more than just a place for fun videos—it’s a job creator. A new study by Oxford Economics found that 4.7 million jobs in the U.S. are supported by TikTok. Since launching in 2018, TikTok has become a key tool for American businesses, helping them grow and connect with customers.
Businesses Love TikTok
About 7.5 million businesses use TikTok. These businesses employ over 28 million people across all states and even Puerto Rico. Whether it’s creating content, managing ads, or chatting with customers, TikTok plays a big role in their operations.
Direct and Indirect Benefits
- Direct Benefits: 3.1 million employees spend a lot of time on TikTok, creating content or running ads.
- Indirect Benefits: 1.6 million employees see benefits from TikTok through sales leads or customer feedback.
California tops the list with 420,000 jobs directly linked to TikTok. Texas, Florida, and New York follow. Even when it comes to indirect benefits, California leads with 230,000 jobs.
Small Businesses Win Big
Smaller businesses, with 1-20 employees, see the most direct benefits. 8.5% of their workforce uses TikTok, compared to just 0.3% at big companies. While small businesses spend less time on TikTok, the platform’s impact is huge for them.
Big Companies Also Benefit
Though small businesses use TikTok more, large companies still have a lot of employees on the platform. This shows TikTok’s value to businesses of all sizes.
Growing and Scaling
74% of businesses said TikTok helped them grow. This was especially true for large businesses (86%) and women-owned businesses (80%). Features like Creative Tools and TikTok Live are favorites, used by 80% of businesses.
TikTok Shop Success
Since launching in late 2023, TikTok Shop generated $9 billion in sales in 2024. This shows how the platform helps businesses sell products directly.
Concerns About a Ban
64% of businesses worry that a TikTok ban would hurt growth and jobs. Large businesses (82%) and women-owned businesses (70%) are especially concerned. This shows how important TikTok has become for many.
What’s Next?
The U.S. government is exploring options to avoid banning TikTok. Some ideas include letting the government own a part of the platform. President Trump mentioned four groups interested in buying TikTok’s U.S. operations.
This study highlights TikTok’s role in helping businesses grow and create jobs. Whether you run a small shop or a big company, TikTok is making a difference. As talks about its future continue, one thing is clear—TikTok’s impact on American businesses is huge.
