Sunny With A Chance of Job Growth

The U.S. Department of Labor recently released its employment projections for 2008 through 2018.

Despite the current clouds, the future of the country's job market appears to be mostly sunny with an increased chance of job growth in many sectors.

Roger J. Moncarz, one of the department's leading occupational forecasters, said the bright job future does not come as a surprise.

"We've been in the projections business for a long time, since World War II when the soldiers were coming home," Moncarz said. "Over the years, we can see that manufacturing is on the decline, but every day and every month is a new data point."

The department's latest "Employment Outlook" is pointing to job opportunities increasing for people who hit the books and train in careers requiring a postsecondary education.

A peek at the extended job forecast reveals the following major occupational categories rank as the top five in terms of employment growth through 2018.

1. Health Care Support Jobs

Percent Growth: 28.8%
New Jobs: 11.47 million

Careers in this field:
- Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants ($24,620)
- Occupational Therapist Assistants ($48,440)
- Physical Therapist Assistants ($46,300)
- Massage Therapists ($39,850)
- Medical Assistants ($29,060)
- Medical Transcriptionists ($32,960)

The forecast: Changing demographics, particularly in terms of Americans getting older, will spur job growth in health care support from 39.82 million employees in 2008 to 51.30 million employees through 2018.

Search for online and local Health Care Support training programs.

2. Computer and Mathematical Jobs

Percent Growth: 22.2%
New Jobs: 7.86 million

Careers in this field:
- Computer Programmers ($73,470)
- Computer and Information Scientists, Research ($100,900)
- Computer Software Engineers, Applications ($87,900)
- Computer Software Engineers, Systems Software ($94,520)
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators ($69,570)
- Mathematicians ($94,960)
- Statisticians ($74,790)

The forecast: The technological boom will continue to push businesses, government agencies, and other organizations to utilize more sophisticated tools. The projection for computer software applications engineers, for example, will increase by 175,000 jobs - the leading number among all computer specialists.

Find online and local IT and Technology degree programs now.

3. Health Care Practitioners and Technical Jobs

Percent Growth: 21.4%
New Jobs: 16 million

Careers in this field:
- Physician Assistants ($81,610)
- Registered Nurses ($65,130)
- Pharmacy Technicians ($28,500)
- Chiropractors ($81,340)
- Dentists ($154,270)
- Dietitians and Nutritionists ($51,470)
- Pharmacists ($104,260)

The forecast: New developments in treatments for more medical conditions will require an increased number of health care professionals. Registered nurses will lead the way with 581,500 new jobs during the projection period. Find RN training near you now.

Search for Health Care schools now.

4. Personal Care and Service Jobs

Percent Growth: 20.4%
New Jobs: 10.31 million

Careers in this field:
- Child Care Workers ($20,350)
- Personal and Home Care Aides ($19,690)
- Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors ($34,310)
- Gaming Supervisors ($46,600)
- First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Personal Service Workers ($48,700)
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists ($26,660)
- Flight Attendants ($39,840)

The forecast: As more of the elderly require help with daily activities, the number of personal and home care aides will increase by 375,800 jobs.

Find schools offering online and local job training now.

5. Life, Physical, and Social Science Jobs

Percent Growth: 19.0%
New Jobs: 2.77 million new jobs

Careers in this field:
- Biochemists and Biophysicists ($88,450)
- Microbiologists ($70,150)
- Economists ($90,830)
- Market Research Analysts ($67,340)
- Survey Researchers ($42,060)
- Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists ($70,190)

The forecast: With businesses trying to maintain a competitive edge, the employment of market and survey researchers will help their major category increase from 14.61 million jobs to 17.38 million.