The participant-weighted participation rate measure considers all employees in Vanguard-administered plans as if they were in a single plan. All plan sizes are included in this view. The chart shows participation rates for defined contribution plans in each industry sector, categorized by plan type and size for 2023. The x-axis shows the participation rate, and the y-axis shows the sector. Within each sector, plans of different sizes are compared with a Vanguard benchmark of 82%.
Ambulatory and health care: Plans with more than 250 participants had a participation rate of 67%. Plans with less than 250 participants had a participation rate of 80%. Both were below the Vanguard benchmark.
Architecture and engineering: Plans with more than 500 participants had a participation rate of 76%, falling below the Vanguard benchmark. Plans with less than 500 participants had a participation rate of 92%, above the Vanguard benchmark.
Construction: Plans with less than 500 participants had a participation rate of 65%. Plans with more than 500 participants had a participation rate of 69%. Both were below the Vanguard benchmark.
Finance: Plans with less than 500 participants had a participation rate of 89%. Plans with more than 500 participants had a participation rate of 92%. Both were above the Vanguard benchmark.
Information: Plans with less than 1,000 participants had a participation rate of 88%. Plans with more than 1,000 participants had a participation rate of 94%. Both were above the Vanguard benchmark.
Insurance: Plans with less than 1,000 participants had a participation rate of 93%. Plans with more than 1,000 participants had a participation rate of 94%. Both were above the Vanguard benchmark.
Legal: Plans with less than 250 participants had a participation rate of 81%, falling below the Vanguard benchmark. Plans with more than 250 participants had a participation rate of 88%, above the Vanguard benchmark.
Manufacturing: Plans with more than 1,000 participants, representing all plans in this sector, had a participation rate of 91%, above the Vanguard benchmark.
Mining, quarrying, oil & gas: Plans with less than 1,000 participants had a participation rate of 84%. Plans with more than 1,000 participants had a participation rate of 96%. Both were above the Vanguard benchmark.
Professional, scientific & tech.: Plans with more than 500 participants had a participation rate of 87%. Plans with less than 500 participants had a participation rate of 92%. Both were above the Vanguard benchmark.
Retail trade: Plans with more than 1,000 participants, representing all plans in this sector, had a participation rate of 49%, falling below the Vanguard benchmark.
Technology: Plans with less than 1,000 participants had a participation rate of 88%. Plans with more than 1,000 participants had a participation rate of 92%. Both were above the Vanguard benchmark.
Transportation & warehousing: Plans with more than 1,000 participants had a participation rate of 64%, falling below the Vanguard benchmark. Plans with less than 1,000 participants had a participation rate of 84%, above the Vanguard benchmark.
Unions: Plans with more than 500 participants had a participation rate of 58%. Plans with less than 500 participants had a participation rate of 67%. Both were below the Vanguard benchmark.
Utilities: Plans with more than 1,000 participants, representing all plans in this sector, had a participation rate of 94%, above the Vanguard benchmark.
Wholesale trade: Plans with less than 500 participants had a participation rate of 71%. Plans with more than 500 participants had a participation rate of 76%. Both were below the Vanguard benchmark.