FORUM
THE
Virginia’s Source for Labor Market News
Winter 2010
Volume 10, Issue 4
The Forum newsletter is a quarterly online publication that provides the latest news on
emerging jobs and career trends, as well as tips on how to search and apply for jobs.
The Forum newsletter is Virginia’s source for labor market news.
In This Issue:
Top 10 Fastest-Growing Jobs With
a High School Diploma or GED
2
Top 10 Fastest-Growing Jobs With
a Bachelor’s Degree
4
The Top 10 Healthcare Careers for
5
2011
www.VirginiaLMI.com
Occupations With the Largest Job
Growth - Top 20
7
Product Order Form
8
For updates and announcements, follow us on
TM
Spring Issue: Available online April 22, 2011
Published by the Virginia Employment Commission’s Labor Market and Demographic Analysis Unit
Editor: David R. Tysinger; Assistant Editor: Joan McDorman; Content/Graphic Artist: Linda Simmons
Winter 2010
Top 10 Fastest-Growing
Jobs With a High School
Diploma or GED
2
FORUM
2. Home Care Aides
Home care aides, sometimes called personal care aides
or companions, help elderly or disabled clients with
activities of daily living, including personal hygiene, meal
preparation, laundry, and housekeeping. We can expect to
see a 46% increase in the employment of home care aides
through 2018. Home care aides earned a median annual
salary of $19,180 and median hourly wages of $9.22 in
2008.
3. Physical Therapist Aides
Physical therapist aides, sometimes called physical therapy
aides, help make therapy sessions productive. Employment
of physical therapist aides is expected to increase by 36%
through 2018. Physical therapist aides earned a median
annual salary of $23,760 and median hourly wages of
$11.42.
4. Dental Assistants
Dental assistants perform duties that may include patient
care, laboratory work, and office work. There is expected
to be a 36% growth in employment of dental assistants
through 2018. Dental assistants earned a median hourly
wage of $15.57 and a median annual salary of $32,380 in
2008.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts these
occupations, which require only on-the-job training or
5. Medical Assistants
work experience, will grow faster, through 2018, than all
Medical assistants perform administrative duties in
other occupations with similar requirements. The median
physicians’ offices. They may also perform some clinical
wage is shown here to give you an idea of what you might
duties as allowed by individual state laws. Employment
earn if you worked in these fields. Earnings vary by
in this field is expected to grow by 34% through 2018.
employer and depend on factors including level
Medical assistants earned median hourly wages of $13.60
of experience and training and location.
and a median annual salary of $28,300 in 2008.
1. Home Health Aides
6. Self-Enrichment Teachers
Home health aides provide basic care for people with
Self-enrichment teachers instruct students in a variety of
disabilities, chronic illnesses, cognitive impairments, or
subjects that generally aren’t part of a required curriculum.
who have age-related problems. Employment of home
Students who take self-enrichment classes are interested in
health aides is projected to grow by 50% through 2018.
learning about these subjects for self-improvement or for
Home health aides earned a median annual salary of
fun. Employment in this field is expected to grow by 32%
$20,460 and a median hourly wage of $9.84 in 2008.
through 2018. Self-enrichment teachers earned median
Winter 2010
3
FORUM
hourly wages of $17.17 and a median annual salary of
10. Medical Secretaries
$35,720 in 2008.
Medical secretaries perform clerical duties in medical
offices, utilizing their knowledge of medical terminology,
7. Compliance Officers
insurance rules, and medical billing procedures.
A compliance officer’s job is to make sure an entity is
Employment in this field is expected to grow by 27%
conforming with, or eligible for, contractual obligations,
through 2018. Medical secretaries earned median hourly
government regulations, laws, or licenses and permits.
wages of $14.27 and a median annual salary of $29,680 in
There is expected to be a 31% increase in the employment
2008.
of compliance officers through 2018. Compliance officers
NOTE: This article is referring to the top 10-fastest growing
jobs with a high school diploma for the nation.
earned median hourly wages of $23.50 and a median
annual salary of $48,890 in 2008.
By Dawn Rosenberg McKay, About.com
Sources: CareerOneStop, Fastest-Growing Occupations
8. Occupational Therapist Aides
Occupational therapist aides prepare materials and
equipment used during patients’ occupational therapy
sessions. They also perform clerical duties. Employment
in this field is expected to grow by 31% through 2018.
Occupational therapist aides’ median annual earnings
were $26,960, and their median hourly wages were $12.96
in 2008.
9. Pharmacy Technicians
Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists with the
preparation of prescription medications for customers.
They perform tasks that range from receiving written
prescriptions to counting pills and labeling bottles. We
can expect to see a 31% growth in employment in this
field through 2018. Pharmacy technicians earned median
hourly wages of $13.32 and a median annual salary of
$27,710 in 2008.
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011,
O*NET OnLine
NOW AVAILABLE!
For a list of the fastest-growing jobs
in Virginia, order the updated
Virginia Job Outlook
Brochure
See order form on page 8
or view online at www.VirginiaLMI.com
VIRGINIA
VIRGINI
A
JOUOB
JOB
TLOOK
OUTLOO
K
Projected to 2018
Projec
te
d to 20
18
Winter 2010
Top 10 Fastest-Growing
Jobs With a Bachelor’s
Degree
4
FORUM
grow by 72% through 2018. Biomedical engineers earned a
median salary of $77,400 in 2008.
2. Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts
Network systems and data communications analysts
design and evaluate network systems, for example, local
area networks (LANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs), and
Internet systems. Employment of network systems and
data communications analysts is projected to grow by 53%
through 2018. Median annual earnings were $71,100 in
2008.
3. Financial Examiners
Financial examiners ensure that banks and financial
institutions comply with the laws and regulations that
govern them. They also make certain financial and real
estate transactions are in compliance with laws and
regulations. Financial examiners are expected to see a
41% growth in employment through 2018. They earned a
median annual salary of $70,930 in 2008.
4. Athletic Trainers
Athletic trainers treat injured athletes and other
individuals. They also teach people how to prevent
injuries. Employment of athletic trainers is projected to
grow by 37% through 2018. People working in this field
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts these
occupations, all requiring a bachelor’s degree, will grow
faster, through 2018, than all other occupations with the
same requirement. The median wage is shown to give you
an idea of what you might earn if you worked in these
fields. Earnings vary by employer and depend on factors
including level of experience and training, and location.
1. Biomedical Engineers
Biomedical engineers design, develop and evaluate
earned a median annual salary of $39,640 in 2008.
5. Computer Applications Software Engineers
Computer applications software engineers use different
programming languages to design, construct, and
maintain software and specialized utility programs.
They analyze users’ needs in order to do this. There is
expected to be a 34% growth in employment of computer
applications software engineers through 2018. Those
working in this field earned a median annual salary of
$79,780 in 2008.
devices, for example artificial organs, prostheses and
instrumentation, and procedures, such as medical
6. Environmental Engineers
information systems and health management and care
Environmental engineers use engineering principles
delivery systems. Employment in this field is expected to
to solve environmental problems such as pollution.
Winter 2010
Employment of environmental engineers is projected to
grow by 31% through 2018. Environmental engineers
earned a median annual salary of $74,020 in 2008.
5
The Top 10 Healthcare
Careers for 2011
FORUM
7. Computer Systems Software Engineers
Computer systems software engineers build and maintain
companies’ computer systems, and plan their future
growth. We can expect to see a 30% increase in the
employment in this field through 2018. Computer systems
software engineers earned a median annual salary of
$92,430 in 2008.
8. Survey Researchers
Survey researchers design or conduct surveys about
people and their opinions. Employment in this field
is expected to increase by 30% through 2018. Survey
researchers earned a median annual salary of $36,220 in
2008.
9. Personal Financial Advisors
Personal financial advisors help people make investment
decisions. There is expected to be a 30% increase in
employment in this field through 2018. Financial advisors
earned a median salary of $69,050 in 2008.
1. Registered Nurses
Nursing is one the fastest-growing, most stable, and
sought-after professions within the field. Nurses work
in a variety of settings such as: hospitals, specialty care
facilities, homes, schools, community centers, and more.
10. Market Research Analysts
The median annual salary in 2008 was $62,000, according
Market research analysts conduct research and analyze
to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). It also reported a
data in order to help companies determine what products
projected growth of 581,500 new jobs in the next decade,
and services to sell, how much to charge for them, and
as well as hundreds of thousands of jobs opening from
where and how to sell them. Employment in this field is
retiring nurses.
expected to grow by 28% through 2018. Market research
analysts earned a median salary of $61,070 in 2008.
2. Geriatric Care Nurses
NOTE: This article is referring to the top 10-fastest growing
jobs with a bachelor’s degree for the nation.
in the latter stages of life. Geriatric Care Nurses study how
This specialty field of nursing focuses on caring for those
By Dawn Rosenberg McKay, About.com
to prevent and care for diseases typical for the end of the
Sources: CareerOneStop, Fastest-Growing Occupations
life cycle. The median annual salary in 2008 was $80,000,
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011,
according to the BLS. It is also expected to see a growth of
O*NET OnLine
16% in the next decade.
Winter 2010
6
FORUM
3. Registered Dietitians
has a faster than average growth rate expected for the next
If you are passionate about healthy living and enable
decade.
others to live a healthy, happy life through proper
nutrition, then consider becoming a Dietitian! The
8. Chiropractors
median annual salary in 2008 was $50,000, with the range
Chiropractors are doctors who specialize in the human
being $31,000-$74,000, according to the BLS. A 9% rise in
body and its relation to the spine. Through physical
demand for this field in the next decade is projected.
manipulation of the spine, Chiropractors bring the body
back into proper alignment for improved health and well-
4. Dental Hygienists
being. With an expected 20% increase in demand over the
Want to help people have a whiter, brighter, healthier
next decade, this growing profession is one of the highly
smile? Similar to Dental Assistants, Dental Hygienists
desired occupations in the field. The median annual salary
assist the Dentist in the daily operations of the practice.
in 2008 was $67,000. However, a survey by Chiropractic
The median annual salary in 2008 was $32,000, according
Economics reports an average salary of $95,000. Many
to the BLS. There is an unbelievable 36% expected growth
Chiropractors make well over $100,000 after several years
in demand in the next decade.
of experience.
5. Veterinarians
9. Personal Fitness (Personal Trainers)
Do you love animals? Veterinarians get to work and care
Are you passionate about fitness and healthy living? Being
for animals all day long and the financial compensation is
a Personal Trainer is a rewarding profession that allows
impressive! The demand for veterinarian jobs is supposed
individuals to help people live healthier, better lives. With
to increase 33 percent in the next decade. While the range
more and more individuals looking to adopt a healthier
for earnings in this field is $46,000-$140,000, the median
lifestyle, this profession continues to rapidly expand.
annual salary in 2008 was $80,000. However, veterinarians
The median annual salary in 2008 was $30,000, with an
employed by the government made on average $93,000.
average range of $20,000-$60,000 and more. It is expected
to grow 29% in the next decade.
6. Radiologic Technicians
Radiologic Technicians are in charge of administering
10. Health Records Technicians
x-ray tests and complex imaging procedures to patients.
Responsible for the assembling of patients’ health
The average median salary in 2008 was $53,000, with the
information like test results, medical history, etc.,
range being $35,000-$75,000. The growth is promising
Health Records Technicians are at the forefront of the
with an expected 17% in the next decade.
transformation of the profession as we switch to an
electronic records system. The median annual salary in
7. Clinical Social Workers
2008 was $30,000. Employment growth is also expected to
Social Workers have the incredible opportunity to better
increase 20% over the next decade.
the mental and psychological health of their patients.
NOTE: This article is referring to the top 10-fastest growing
jobs in the healthcare field for the nation.
They often work for the government and help their
patients overcome the emotional and mental challenges
they may be facing in their situation. Clinical Social
Workers in 2008 earned a median annual salary of
$50,000, while the range was $35,000-$75,000. This field
Source: http://www.healthcarecolleges.net
Winter 2010
7
Occupations With the Largest Job Growth - Top 20
FORUM
(Numbers in thousands)
2008 National Employment
Matrix title
Employment
2008
2018
Registered nurses
2,618.7
Home health aides
Change,
2008-18
Most significant source of
postsecondary education or
training
Number
Percent
3,200.2
581.5
22.20
Associate degree
921.7
1,382.6
460.9
50.01
Short-term on-the-job training
Customer service representatives
2,252.4
2,651.9
399.5
17.74
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Combined food preparation and
serving workers, including fast food
2,701.7
3,096.0
394.3
14.59
Short-term on-the-job training
817.2
1,193.0
375.8
45.99
Short-term on-the-job training
Retail salespersons
4,489.2
4,863.9
374.7
8.35
Short-term on-the-job training
Office clerks, general
3,024.4
3,383.1
358.7
11.86
Short-term on-the-job training
Accountants and auditors
1,290.6
1,570.0
279.4
21.65
Bachelor's degree
Nursing aides, orderlies, and
attendants
1,469.8
1,745.8
276.0
18.78
Postsecondary vocational award
Postsecondary teachers
1,699.2
1,956.1
256.9
15.12
Doctoral degree
Construction laborers
1,248.7
1,504.6
255.9
20.49
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Elementary school teachers, except
special education
1,549.5
1,793.7
244.2
15.76
Bachelor's degree
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer
1,798.4
2,031.3
232.9
12.95
Short-term on-the-job training
Landscaping and groundskeeping
workers
1,205.8
1,422.9
217.1
18.00
Short-term on-the-job training
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing
clerks
2,063.8
2,276.2
212.4
10.29
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Executive secretaries and
administrative assistants
1,594.4
1,798.8
204.4
12.82
Work experience in a related
occupation
Management analysts
746.9
925.2
178.3
23.87
Bachelor's or higher degree, plus work
experience
Computer software engineers,
applications
514.8
689.9
175.1
34.01
Bachelor's degree
Receptionists and information clerks
1,139.2
1,312.1
172.9
15.18
Short-term on-the-job training
Carpenters
1,284.9
1,450.3
165.4
12.87
Long-term on-the-job training
Personal and home care aides
Source: Employment Projections Program, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_table_104.htm
For further information on national and state wage data for May 2009:
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#00-0000
Winter 2010
8
FORUM
Product Order Form
These products are available at no charge, except where noted.
Item
Description
Quantity
Bookmarks
The high school graduate vs. the high school
dropout
Job Interview Pocket Résumé
Small tri-fold reference résumé that fits in a wallet
or pocket
Virginia’s Mid-Atlantic Guide to Information on Careers
(MAGIC)
Contains information on education, job training,
job-seeking, and careers—Minimal fee charged for
orders outside of Virginia—also available on the
VEC website
Virginia Business Resource Directory
How to start your own business—also available on
the VEC website
Virginia Job Outlook
Brochure with top occupations, growth rate, and
annual average salaries by educational attainment—
also available on the VEC website
Hard copy
CD-ROM
Qualities Needed for Success in the Workplace—
24”x18”
Display Posters
Visualize - Starting Your Own Business—24”x18”
Interview Tips—18”x 24”
Available only on the VEC website: www.VirginiaLMI.com
These documents feature a wealth of information including demographic,
economic, and educational data. Each report is automatically updated every
time we make changes to our database, so you can be assured they will
always be up-to-date!
Community Profiles
Education Pays...
Eight Keys to Employability
One-Page Print-Ready Information Sheets
Sample Job Application
Tomorrow’s Jobs
Top Skills and Work Values Employers Want
Industry and Occupational Employment Projections:
2006-2016
Occupational Wage Survey 2008
To order materials, please indicate the
number of items requested in the space
to the right of the product name and mail
or fax to:
Virginia Employment Commission LMDA, Room 324
P.O. Box 1358
Richmond, VA 23218-1358
Telephone (804) 786-5880
Fax (804) 786-7844
• Virginia
• Workforce Investment Areas (WIAs)
• United States
Reference material only for:
• United States
• Statewide,Virginia
• Workforce Investment Areas (WIAs)
• Virginia Metropolitan Wage Data (MSAs)
• Occupational Employment Statistical Regions Planning Districts
• Planning District Commissions (PDCs)
Name:
Organization:
Address:
City:
Telephone ( )
E-mail Address:
State:
Zip:
Yes
Is this order for a scheduled event?
For large orders, please make sure that the
address you list is for a physical location (not
a P.O. box) and that you include the name of a
Shipping Charge (VEC Staff Only) __________
contact person.
Cost Center
Please feel free to make copies of this order form.
If yes, date needed by:
(Please allow 5-7 business days for delivery)
No
___________
Project Code
___________
Function Code