Apple’s workforce grew in 2024, reaching around 1,64,000 full-time employees globally by late September, according to a recent company filing. The rise includes both corporate roles, such as software engineers, and retail positions within Apple’s stores worldwide.
This marks an increase from the 1,61,000 employees reported a year earlier, bringing Apple’s employee count back to its 2022 levels after a minor dip last year.
Despite the workforce expansion, Apple implemented several rounds of targeted layoffs in specific areas this year.
Among the most significant cuts was the elimination of over 600 jobs tied to the company’s now-cancelled electric vehicle project. In addition, Apple relocated its Siri evaluation team from San Diego to Austin, Texas, resulting in layoffs for employees unable to make the move. Other cuts affected the Apple Books and Apple News teams, as well as employees in the Apple Watch division after Apple abandoned its plan to develop in-house displays with micro-LED technology.
This increase in employee count aligns with Apple’s overall growth trend over recent years. The company has seen steady hiring since 2018, when it employed approximately 1,32,000 full-time staff. By 2019, the number had grown to 1,37,000, reaching 1,47,000 in 2020 and 1,54,000 in 2021. After peaking at 1,64,000 in 2022, Apple’s workforce slightly declined in 2023 before rebounding this year to match its previous high.
Compared to other tech giants such as Google and Microsoft, which have undertaken larger-scale layoffs over the past two years, Apple has managed to avoid major workforce reductions. Instead, the company has maintained a high employee count while making selective adjustments within specific divisions. Heading into 2025, Apple’s strong workforce numbers and record-breaking quarterly revenues underscore its stability and position the company for continued success in a competitive tech industry.
