The U.S. battery industry is a thriving economic engine. Annually, its direct and downstream economic activity creates $10 trillion in domestic economic output. Plus, over 54 million U.S. jobs are reliant on the battery industry.
The battery industry is a vital contributor to the U.S. economy, driving job creation, manufacturing, and technological advancements. From production to recycling, the sector generates billions in economic activity while supporting industries such as transportation and energy storage. Battery Council International advocates for policies that sustain this impact, ensuring continued growth and investment in a resilient domestic supply chain.
Domestically produced batteries are essential to day-to-day activities and critical operations. A recent economic analysis by the independent research firm, EBP US, estimates the battery industry powers 21% of the U.S. economy. Annual economic contributions include:
The report, United States Lead Battery Industry Segment Economic Contribution in 2023, highlights the importance of batteries to ensure smooth and secure daily operations for downstream users across a wide range of vital industries.
Furthermore, these industries rely on energy storage to support continued economic growth. Prominent downstream users of storage batteries include:
Among battery chemistries, the U.S. lead battery manufacturing and recycling industry makes a particularly strong economic contribution of 35 billion in economic output. The industry generates $15 billion in gross domestic product (GDP), directly employs 28,050 workers and spends $2.5 billion annually on payroll. The average, per-worker salary among the lead battery industry is $81,600.
Compared to many other private industry sectors, salaries in the lead battery industry are significantly higher: 65% higher for recycling workers and 56% higher for mining workers.
In addition to direct employees, the industry supports 39,600 supplier jobs in a variety of industries and an additional 38,150 jobs from worker spending in different sectors.
Collectively, the lead battery industry supports 106,000+ jobs.
Beyond job impact, 2023 data shows the lead battery industry annually contributes nearly:
These impacts underscore the lead battery industry’s substantial contribution to the U.S. economy.
The next stop on the Essential Energy Tour is at East Penn. They operates the largest single-site, lead battery manufacturing facility in...
Essential Energy Tour
December 19, 2023
The lead acid battery ... is legendary. We can recycle 95+ percent of [these] batteries all across the world. It's a very safe chemistry, ... [and] we understand how to use it very, very well.
