Talking Consumer Know-How Reports 2003 Edition: The 1995-2005 Job Outlook in Brief

The 1995-2005 Job Outlook in Brief

by Geoffrey C. Gradler and Kurt E. Schrammel

Geoffrey C. Gradler and Kurt E. Schrammel are economists in

the Office of Employment Projections, BLS.

"What do you want to be when you finish school?"

The answers you can give to this question keep changing.

Occupations that once offered solid careers are in decline,

while positions once unheard of are now among the

fastestgrowing. About the only thing that hasn't changed in

the past 40 years is the relentlesspace of change itself.

Consumer demand, technology, and business practices are all

inconstant flux. In today's rapidly changing, international

marketplace, it is increasinglyimportant for people who are

planning their careers to be aware of what occupations

willbe in demand in the future. We can not stop the tide;

the best we can do is to know whichway it is running.

For the U. S. economy as a whole, the tide is rising.

The $5-trillion economy of 1992 isprojected to reach $6 to

$7.2 trillion in 2005. Employment is expected to reach

147.5million in 2005, an increase of 22 percent or 26

million jobs above the 1992 level. Thefollowing pages point

out which occupations will benefit most from this growth and

whichwill lose out. They give the numerical and percent

change in employment and a summaryof job prospects for the

1992-2005 period for about 250 occupations.

The next few pages discuss factors that affect

employment in an occupation, describe theassumptions used in

making the projections, and discuss general trends.

Why Employment Changes

The number of workers employed in any occupation depends in

large part on the demand for the goods or services provided

by those workers. Over the last decade or so, for example,

increased use of computers by businesses, schools,

scientific organizations, and government agencies has

contributed to large increases in the number of systems

analysts,programmers, and computer repairers. Even if the

demand for goods and services provided by a group of workers

rises employment may not increase at all or may increase more

slowly than demand because of changes in the ways goods are

produced and services are provided. In fact, some changes in

technology and business practices cause employment to

decline. For example, while the volume of paperwork to

process is expected to increase dramatically, the employment

of typists and word processors will probably fall. This

reflects the growing use of word processing equipment that

increases the productivity of these workers and permits other

office workers to do more of their own typing.

Using information on the demand for goods and services,

advances in technology,changes in business practices, and

the occupational composition of industries, economists at BLS

have developed three sets of projections of the economy in

2005. Each set was developed in light of a series of

assumptions about the future. The various sets

refled different the assumptions about such factors as growth

of the labor force, output,productivity, inflation, and

unemployment. Referred to as the low-, moderate-, and high-

growth scenarios, each provides a different employment

estimate for most occupations.The scenarios should not be

viewed as the bounds of employment growth but

as illustrations of what might happen under different

conditions. All the data in the "Brief"come from the

moderate-growth projections.Any projection of future

employment growth is clouded by uncertainty.

Unforeseen changes in technology or the balance of trade

could radically alter future employment for individual

occupations. A few of the uncertainties that blur our view

of the economy in2005 are highlighted in the accompanying

box, "Past Trends and Future Uncertainties."

Employment Through the Year 2005

Between 1992 and 2005, employment will rise from 121.1

million to 147.5 million. This section gives a brief overview

of projected employment change. It focuses on the following

12 clusters of occupations based on the Federal Government's

Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system:

* Executive, administrative, and managerial occupations

* Professional specialty occupations

* Technicians and related support occupations

* Marketing and sales occupations

* Administrative support occupations, including clerical

* Service occupations

* Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and related occupations

* Mechanics, installers, and repairers

* Construction trades and extractive occupations

* Production occupations

* Transportation and material moving occupations

* Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers.

Keep in mind that a particular occupation may not follow the

trend projected for its group.Therefore, you should refer to

the table on pages XX to XX for the outlook in a

specificoccupation. An index of individual occupations

appears on page XX.

Executive, administrative, and managerial occupations.

Workers in executive,administrative, and managerial

occupations establish policies, make plans,

determine staffing requirements, and direct the activities of

businesses, government agencies, and other organizations.

Workers in management support occupations, such as

accountant and auditor or underwriter, provide technical

assistance to managers.

Growth due to the increasing number and complexity of

business operations will be offset somewhat by corporate

restructuring and downsizing of management, resulting

inaverage growth for executive, administrative, and

managerial occupations. Because these workers are employed

throughout the economy, differences in the rate of expansion

for individual industries will produce varying rates of

employment change for particular kinds of managers and

support workers. For example, employment of health services

managers will grow much faster than average, whereas

wholesale and retail buyers are expected to grow more slowly

than average.

Due to growth in the number of people seeking these

positions and the increasingly technical skills required,

jobseekers with previous work experience, specialized

training, or graduate study have an advantage in competition

for jobs. Familiarity with computers will continue to be

helpful as more managers rely on computerized information

systems to help direct their organizations.

Professional specialty occupations. This group includes

engineers; architects andsurveyors; computer, mathematical,

and operations research occupations; life, physical,and

social scientists; lawyers and judges; social, recreational,

and religious workers;teachers, librarians, and counselors;

health diagnosing, assessment, and treating occupations; and

communications, visual arts, and performing arts

occupations.Professional workers may provide services or

conduct research and are employed in almost every industry.

As a whole, this group is expected to continue to grow

faster than average and to increase its share of total

employment significantly by 2005. However, growth rates

for individual occupations are as diverse as the jobs these

workers perform. Occupations such as physical therapist,

human services worker, operations research analyst, and

computer scientist and systems analyst are expected to grow

much faster than average. Others, such as physicist and

astronomer, mining and nuclear engineer, and dentist should

grow more slowly than average. Most new jobs will be in the

education, business, and health services industries.

Technicians and related support occupations. This group

includes health technologist sand technicians, engineering

and science technicians, computer programmers,

tool programmers, aircraft pilots, air traffic controllers,

paralegals, broadcast technicians, and library technicians.

These workers operate and program technical equipment and

assistengineers, scientists, physicians, and other

professional workers.Changes in technology,

demographics, and ways of conducting business will cause

some of these occupations to grow faster than others. Overall

employment is expected to growfaster than average. This

group contains one of the fastest growing occupations

paralegal; its growth will result in part from the

increasing reliance of lawyers on these workers. Increased

demand for health services from a growing and aging

population will spur growth for radiological technologist,

medical record technician, surgical technologist,and

electroencephalographic (EEG) technologist. In fact, jobs

for health technologists and technicians are expected to

account for over half of all the new jobs in this

group.Employment of computer programmers will also continue

to grow rapidly, as more organizations use computers and the

number of computer applications increases.

Employment growth in other occupations in this group

will be limited. For example,because of labor saving

technological advances, employment of broadcast

technicians should show little change and employment of air

traffic controllers should grow slower than average.

Marketing and sales occupations. Workers in this group

sell goods and services,purchase commodities and property

for resale, and stimulate consumer interest.Employment is

expected to grow as fast as average because of the increased

demand for financial, travel, and other services. However,

the rate of growth should be slower than over the previous 13

years because these workers are concentrated in retail

trade, an industry which will grow more slowly than in the

past.

A large number of part-time and full-time positions are

expected to be available for cashiers and retail trade sales

workers due to the large size and high turnover of

these occupations, as well as employment growth. Higher

paying sales occupations, such assecurities and financial

services sales worker, tend to be more competitive than

retail sales occupations. Job opportunities will be best for

well-trained, personable, and ambitious people who enjoy

selling.

Administrative support occupations, including clerical.

Workers in this group prepareand record memos, letters, and

reports; collect accounts; gather and distribute information;

operate office machines; and handle other administrative

tasks.

This occupational group will continue to employ the

largest number of workers,although growth is expected to be

at the low end of the average range. As a result,

these occupations will decline as a proportion of total

employment by 2005. Despite the tremendous increase

expected in the volume of clerical tasks to be done,

increased automation and other technological changes will

limit growth in many clerical occupations, such as typist,

word processor, and data entry keyer;

bookkeeping,accounting, and auditing clerk; and telephone

operator. In contrast, teacher aide should grow much faster

than average as schools increase their use of these

workers.Receptionists and information clerks are expected to

experience faster than average growth because these workers

are concentrated in rapidly growing industries.

Because many administrative support occupations are

large and have relatively high turnover, opportunities should

be plentiful for full- and part-time jobs, even in

slow growing occupations.

Service occupations. This group includes a wide range

of workers in protective, food and be verage preparation,

health, personal, private household, and cleaning and

building services. These occupations, as a group, are

expected to grow faster than average because of a growing

population and economy. Higher personal incomes and

increased leisure time will spur demand for many different

types of services. This group is projected to add the largest

number of jobs of any occupational group in the 1992-2005 period.

Among protective service occupations, the employment of

guards is expected to rise much faster than average because

of growing concern over crime. As the number of prisoners and

correctional facilities increases, more correction officers

also will be needed.However, only average employment growth

is expected for police patrol officer and firefighter because

only slow growth in local government spending is

anticipated.Employment growth will also be faster than

average for food preparation and service occupations. Due to

the large size, high turnover, and fast growth of many food

service occupations such as chef, cook, and other kitchen

worker both full- and part-time jobswill be plentiful.

Growth in personal service, cleaning, and private

household workers will vary widely.Homemaker-home health

aide should be one of the fastest growing occupations, in

part because of the substantial increase in the elderly

population. Private household workers,on the other hand,

will decline rapidly due to the shift from home to

institutional childcare.

Among health services occupations, medical

assistant one of the fastest growing occupations in the

economy and nursing aide, orderly, and attendant will grow

much faster than average, in response to the aging population

and expanding health care industry.

Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and related occupations. Workers in

these occupations cultivate plants, breed and raise animals, and

catch fish. Although demand for food, fiber,and wood is expected

to increase as the world's population grows, the use of

more productive farming and forestry methods and the

consolidation of small farms are expected to result in little or no

employment change in most of these occupations.

The employment of farm operators and farm workers is expected

to decline rapidly, reflecting greater productivity; the need for

skilled farm managers, on the other hand, should result in

average employment growth for that occupation.

Mechanics, installers, and repairers. Workers in this

group adjust, maintain, and repair automobiles, industrial

equipment, computers, and many other types of

machinery.Average overall growth is expected due to the

continued importance of mechanical and electronic equipment

throughout the economy, but projections vary by occupation.

Data processing equipment repairer is expected to be the

fastest growing occupation in this group, reflecting the

increased use of these types of machines. In sharp contrast,

two occupations communications equipment mechanic, installer,

and repairer and telephone installer and repairer are

expected to decline in employment due to labor saving

advances.

Construction trades and extractive occupations. Workers

in this group construct, alter,and maintain buildings and

other structures or operate drilling and mining

equipment.Virtually all of the new jobs will be in

construction. An increase in the number of households and

industrial plants, the desire to alter or modernize existing

structures, and the need to maintain and repair highways,

dams, and bridges will result in average employment growth in

construction. In contrast, continued stagnation in the oil

and gas industries and low growth in the demand for coal,

metal, and other minerals will result in adecline in

employment of extractive workers.

Because the construction industry is sensitive to

fluctuations in the Nation's economy,employment in

construction occupations varies from year to year. Many

construction workers become unemployed during downturns in

construction activity.

Production occupations. These workers set up, adjust,

operate, and tend machinery and use handtools and hand-held

power tools to make goods and assemble products. Increases in

imports, overseas production, and automation including

robotics and advanced computer techniques will result in a

slight decline in overall employment. For a few occupations,

however, employment growth is expected. Expansion of the

printing and publishing industry, for example, will create

average employment growth for printing press operator.

Many production occupations are sensitive to

fluctuations in the business cycle and competition from

imports. When factory orders decline, workers face

shortened workweeks, layoffs, and plant closings.

Transportation and material moving occupations. Workers

in this group operate the equipment used to move people and

materials. Although overall employment is expected to grow

about as fast as average, prospects vary by occupation.

Subway operator will grow much faster than average as more

cities build new systems and expand existing ones.Faster

than average growth is expected for school bus driver, and

average growth is expected for taxi driver and chauffeur.

These projections reflect rising school enrollment sand

growing demand for transportation services. However, slower

than average growth is expected in the employment of material

moving equipment operator because of the increased use of

automated material handling systems.

Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers.

Workers in these occupations assist skilled workers and

perform routine tasks. Overall employment is expected to

grow about as fast as the average for all occupations. Growth

will be limited in some occupations, such as machine feeder,

due to automation. Many opportunities will arise from the

need to replace workers who leave these occupations, because

turnover is very high. However, economic downturns may

substantially lower the number of openings,particularly for

construction laborer and other occupations in industries

that are highly sensitive to changes in the economy.

Information in the "Brief"

"The Job Outlook in Brief" provides thumbnail sketches of

employment data for each occupation in the Occupational

Outlook Handbook, 1994-95 edition, on which it is

based.Nearly all employment estemets are from the BLS

industry-occupation matrix.Throughout this article,

employment growth rates are compared to the average for

all occupations; the box, "Key Phrases in the Brief,"

explains the terms used. The box also explains the phrases

used to describe the amount of competition jobseekers are

likely to encounter. The description of the relationship

between the supply of, and the demand for,workers in a

specific occupation is highly subjective. It is based on

information obtained from technical journals and other

relevant literature, interviews with occupational

experts,historical data, and the judgment of the analyst who

studied the occupation. Assessing the degree of competition

is difficult, although for occupations with lengthy training

and strictentry requirements, it can be done with some

accuracy. However, because most occupations have several

routes of entry and flexible requirements, the potential

supply of workers is difficult to measure. For many

occupations, therefore, no description of job opportunities

or competition is given.

One last factor to remember when checking the outlook

for an occupation is that growthin employment is only one

source of job openings. In fact, BLS projects that 53

percent of all job openings over the 1992-2005 period will

arise because of the need to replaceworkers who transfer to

other occupations or leave the labor force. As a result,

even occupations with slower than average growth may offer

many jobs for new workers; thisis especially true of large

occupations.

Beyond the "Brief"

"The Job Outlook in Brief" is only a starting point for the

exploration of economic projections or careers. The

projections in it were produced by BLS as part of

its employment projections program, which develops new sets

of projections every 2 years.Besides occupational

employment, BLS also projects industry employment,

industry outlook, labor force activity, and numerous

components of the gross domestic product.This information is

available in a variety of publications designed to meet

different needs.

The fall 1993 issue of the Occupational Outlook

Quarterly contains more than 40 charts that illustrate the

economic. labor force, and employment projections.

Considerably more detail is available in the November 1993

issue of the Monthly Labor Review. These articles along with

additional data are reprinted in BLS Bulletin 2452, The

American Work Force: 1992-2005 (price: $X.XX). Occupational

Projections and Training Data,1994 edition, (Bulletin 2451,

price: $X.XX) is statistical supplement to the

Occupational Outlook Handbook containing current and

projected employment estimates for about 500 occupations. It

also presents information on occupational separation rates,

unemploymentrates, and the demographic characteristics of

workers when such information is available.People weighing

the advantages of different career choices will probably

find two otherBLS publications more useful than the

technical ones: Occupational Outlook Handbook,1994-95

edition (Bulletin 2450, price: $X.XX) and "Matching Yourself

With the World ofWork in 1992" (price: $1). "The Job

Outlook in Brief" provides outlook information in a format

that allows easy comparison of job prospects in different

fields, employment prospects are not the only consideration

when choosing a certain career. Matching your goals and

abilities to the work done on the job and the education

required is another important part of choosing acareer.

Where you want to live and how much money you want to earn

also are important.Information like this appears in the

Handbook and "Matching."

The Handbook has been a major source of career guidance

information for more than 40years. It contains more about

the outlook for each of the occupations in the "Brief,"

aswell as information about the nature of the work, training

and personal qualifications,earnings, and other subjects.

Originally published in the Fall 1992 OOQ, "Matching" is

a20-page, tabular presentation similar in format to the

"Brief." Rather than outlook, It highlights significant job

characteristics, including educational level required,

working conditions, and interaction with data, people, and

things (price: $X.XX).

Additional information on job growth also is available

from State Job Service offices.The outlook for many

occupations varies considerably among local job markets.

For example, sections of the country with slow population

growth may have less need fore lementary school teachers than

regions with high growth. State Job Service offices,

listed in the State government section of local telephone

directories, can provide information on local labor market

conditions. Also, see the section on "Sources of State and

Local JobOutlook Information" in the Handbook.

Ordering Information

BLS publications are usually available in libraries, career

centers, and the offices of school guidance counselors and

employment counselors. They are sold by the

Government Printing Office. Send orders to either of the

following addresses:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Publication

Sales Center

P.O. Box 2145

Chicago, IL 60690

New Orders

Superintendent of Documents

P.O. Box 371954

Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954.Payment by check, money order,

VISA, MasterCard, or GPO deposit account must accompany

your order. Make check or money order payable to the

Superintendent of Documents.Key Phrases in the "Brief"

Changing employment between 1992 and 2005

If the statement about growth reads...Employment is

projected to...

------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------

Much faster than average Increase 41 percent or more

Faster than average Increase 27 to 40 percent

About as fast as average Increase 14 to 26 percent

Little change or more slowly

than average Increase 0 to 13

Decline Decrease 1 percent or more

Opportunities and competition for jobs

If the statement about opportunities reads...;Job

openings compared to

job seekers may be...

Excellent Much more numerous

Very good More numerous

Good or favorable About the same

May face competition Fewer

May face keen competition Much fewer

Reprints of this article will be sold by the Superintendent

of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC

20402.

The 1992-2005 Job Outlook in Brief

Key:

-----

Occupation Subgroup

Estimated employment 1992

Percent change in employment 1992-2005

Numerical change in employment 1992-2005

EXECUTIVE, ADMINISTRATIVE, AND MANAGERIAL

OCCUPATIONS

Accountants and auditors

939,000

304,000

Faster than average employment growth will be spurred

by increases in the number of businesses and the complexity

of financial information. In addition to setting up books

and preparing taxes, more accountants and auditors will

be needed to tailor financial information and

advise management individually. Those with a bachelor's or

higher degree in accounting, particularly CPA's, should have

good job opportunities; however, competition will remain keen

for prestigious jobs with major accounting and business

firms.

Administrative services

226,000

30,000

Slower than average employment growth will result

from managers corporate restructuring and contracting of

administrative services in an effort to cut costs will result

in . However,demand for these managers will increase in

management services, management consulting, and facilities

support services firms to which these services are

contracted. The ample supply of competent, experienced

workers seeking advancement will result in competition for

these jobs.

Budget analysts

67,000

13,000

Average employment growth is expected for budget

analysts.Businesses and governments seeking to increase

their efficiency will create a strong demand for these

workers.However, computer-induced productivity gains will

offset some of the demand. The large number of qualified

applicants will contribute to competition for positions.

Jobseekers with at least a 4-year college degree, some

experience, and a familiarity with financial software

packages will have the best opportunities.

Construction and building

66,000

20,000

Faster than average employment

inspectors growth will stem from increases in the amount

and complexity of construction projects, rising concern for

public safety, and improved quality. Job prospects will be

best for experienced craft workers who have some college

educationor certification.

Construction contractors

180,000

85,000

Much faster than average growth should result from increases

and managers in the size and complexity of construction and

increased spending on the Nation's infrastructure highways,

bridges,dams, schools, subways, airports, and water and

sewage systems. Particularly favorable prospects are expected

for experienced construction managers with a bachelor's

or higher degree in construction science with an emphasis

on construction management.

Cost estimators

163,000

49,000

Employment is expected to increase faster than average

as more estimators will be needed to project the cost

of construction and manufacturing projects. In construction,

job prospects should be best for those workers who

have substantial experience in construction or those with a

degree in construction management, engineering, or

architectural drafting. In manufacturing, experienced people

with degrees in engineering, science, mathematics,

business administration, or economics and who have

computer expertise should have the best job prospects.

Education administrators

351,000

81,000

Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average

as school enrollments rise, services provided to students

grow,efforts to improve the quality of education continue,

and institutions comply with government regulations.

However,stiff competition is expected. Candidates who have

doctorate degrees and are willing to relocate should have the

best job prospects.

Employment interviewers

79,000

17,000

Average growth is expected. Most new jobs will be

with temporary help or personnel supply firms; little growth

is expected in State job service offices. Job opportunities

will be best for college graduates.

Engineering, science, and data

337,000

106,000

Employment, which is expected to increase processing

managers faster than average, is closely related to the

growth of the occupations these workers supervise and to

changes in the industries in which they are found. Underlying

much of the growth of managers in science and engineering

are competitive pressures and advancing technologies,

which force companies to update and improve products

more frequently. Employment of data processing managers

will increase rapidly due to the expansion of the computer

and data processing services industry and the

increased employment of computer systems analysts.

Financial managers

701,000

174,000

Average employment growth is expected. The need for

skilled financial management will increase due to the demands

ofglobal trade, the proliferation of complex

financial instruments, and changing laws and regulations;

however,many firms are reducing their ranks of middle

managers inan effort to be more efficient, thus preventing

dramatic employment growth. Like other managerial

occupations, the number of applicants for financial

management jobs is expected to exceed the number of job

openings, resulting incompetition for jobs.

Funeral directors

27,000

4,700

Average employment growth is expected, as demand for funeral

services rises with the number of deaths.

Employment opportunities are expected to be excellent because

the number of graduates in mortuary science is likely to

continue to be less than the number of job openings in the

field.

General managers and top

2,871,000

380,000

Slower than average employment executives growth is expected

as companies restructure managerial hierarchies to cut

costs. Projected employment growth varies widely by industry;

for example, employment in the services industries will rise

faster than average while that in manufacturing declines.

Competition will remain keen for these top managerial jobs.

Government chief executives

73,000

2,200

Little, if any, employment growth and legislators is

expected because few, if any, new governments are likely

to form and the number of chief executives and legislators

in existing governments rarely changes. Small increases

will occur as growing communities become independent and

electa chief executive and legislators. A few new positions

will develop as cities and counties without managers hire

them and as unpaid positions which are not counted

as employment are converted to paid positions.

Generally,there is less competition in small jurisdictions

than in large jurisdictions.

Health services managers

302,000

135,000

Much faster than average growth is expected as the

healthcare industry expands and diversifies. Most new jobs

will be in hospitals, offices and clinics of physicians,

nursing facilities, and home health care.

Hotel managers and assistants

99,000

23,000

Job growth is expected to be about as fast as average

with growth in business and vacation travel and foreign

tourism.People with college degrees in hotel or

restaurant management will have the best opportunities.

Industrial production

203,000

4,800

Little change in managers employment is expected as the

trend toward smaller management staffs and the lack of growth

in the employmentof production workers limit demand.

Opportunities should be best for MBA's with undergraduate

engineering degrees and college graduates with degrees in

industrial engineering or business administration.

Inspectors and compliance

155,000

41,000

Faster than average growth is officers, except construction

expected due to growing public demand for a safer environment

and higher quality products. Employment growth in government

will stem from the expansion of regulatory and compliance

programs; in private industry,from increasing self-

enforcement, particularly among franchise dealerships, which

are growing rapidly.

Loan officers and counselors

172,000

68,000

Faster than average employment growth is expected as

the population and economy grow, increasing the number

of applications for commercial, consumer, and mortgage

loans.Growth in the variety and complexity of loans and

the importance of loan officers to the success of banks and

other lending institutions should also assure rapid

employment growth. College graduates and those with banking

and lending experience should have the best job prospects.

Management analysts

208,000

89,000

Much faster than average employment growth is projected and

consultants because of the tendency for businesses to rely

on outside experts for many functions previously carried out

internally.Demand also will be driven by the need for firms

to improve performance, expand markets, incorporate new

technologies,cope with government regulations, and adapt to

a changing labor force. Despite projected rapid employment

growth,jobseekers will face keen competition.

Marketing, advertising, and

432,000

156,000

Faster than average growth is public relations managers

expected due to increasingly intense domestic and

global competition. Many of these highly coveted jobs will be

sought by other managers and other experienced people,

resulting in substantial competition. College graduates with

extensive experience, a high level of creativity, and

strong communication skills should have the best job

opportunities.

Personnel, training, and

474,000

150,000

Faster than average growth is expected labor relations

Greater resources will be devoted to job-specific training

and managers programs in response to the growing complexity

of many jobs, the aging of the work force, and technological

advances that can leave employees with obsolete skills. In

addition,legislation and court rulings setting standards in

occupational safety and health; equal employment opportunity;

wages; and health, pension, family leave, and other benefits

will spur job growth. The job market is likely to remain

competitive in view of the abundant supply of qualified

college graduates and experienced workers.

Property and real estate

243,000

85,000

Faster than average employment managers is expected to

result from increases in the number of office buildings,

retail properties, and apartment and condominium complexes

requiring management. Opportunities should be best for people

with college degrees in business administration and related

fields.

Purchasers and buyers

624,000

49,000

Employment is expected to grow more slowly than average

as demand is restricted by the consolidation of

buying departments resulting from mergers, changes in the

way purchases are made, and increases in the use of

automated systems.

Restaurant and food

496,000

227,000

Job growth is expected to service managers be much faster

than average. Population growth, rising personal incomes, and

increased leisure time will continue to produce growth in the

number of eating and drinking establishments and, therefore,

of managers. People with college degrees in restaurant or

institutional food service management will have the best

opportunities.

Retail managers

1,070,000( )

162,000

Employment is expected to increase about as fast as

average as an increase in the number of retail establishments

is offsetby labor-saving innovations, such as computerized

registers and inventory control systems. Competition is

expected for jobs that offer the highest earnings or best

working conditions. Candidates with retail experience will

have the best opportunities.

Underwriters

100,000

24,000

Jobs should increase about as fast as average. Demand

for more life, property, and casualty insurance should

rise because of population growth especially of people in

their 40's and 50's, the age groups that tend to be most

concerned about liability and financial security.

PROFESSIONAL SPECIALTY OCCUPATIONS

Engineers

1,354,000( )

306,000

Employment is expected to grow as fast as average because

of rising investment in plant and equipment to

increase productivity and expand the output of goods and

services. Job opportunities in engineering have been good for

a number of years, and this trend is expected to continue.

However, many jobs in engineering are related to national

defense. Defense expenditures will decline, so the job

outlook for engineers will not be as strong as in the 1980's,

when defense expenditures were increasing.

Aerospace engineers

66,000

9,200

Employment growth is expected to be slower than average,due

to declining purchases of military aircraft and only

slow growth of the commercial aircraft industry. Keen

competitionis expected.

Chemical engineers

52,000

10,000

Employment growth is expected to be as fast as

average.Although employment in the chemical

manufacturing industry is expected to grow very little, the

relatively small number of chemical engineering graduates

should find favorable job opportunities. The production of

industrial chemicals, biotechnology, and materials science

may provide better opportunities than other segments of the

chemical manufacturing industry.

Civil engineers

173,000

41,000

Employment is expected to increase about as fast as

average,spurred by population growth and an expanding

economy.More civil engineers will be needed to design and

construct higher capacity transportation, water supply, and

pollution control systems and large buildings; the repair or

replacement of existing roads, bridges, and other public

structures will also stimulate demand.

Electrical and

370,000

90,000

Average growth is expected, with the electronics engineers

fastest growth anticipated outside manufacturing.

Increased demand for computers and communications

equipment is expected to account for much of the projected

employment growth. However. layoffs of electrical engineers

could result from cutbacks in defense spending.

Industrial engineers

19,000

20,000

Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average

due to industrial growth, the increased complexity of

business operations, and the rising use of automation in

factories and offices. The function of industrial

engineers to improve products and productivity should keep

their services in demand and job opportunities favorable.

Mechanical engineers

227,000

46,000

Employment is expected to increase about as fast as

average.Even in manufacturing, which is expected to decline

overall,the employment of mechanical engineers should

increase because industrial machinery and processes are

becoming increasingly complex. Although many

mechanical engineering jobs are in defense-related industries

and reductions will probably continue in these industries,

rapid growth in other industries should make job

opportunities favorable overall.

Metallurgical, ceramic, and

19,000

5,400

Employment is expected to increase materials engineers

faster than average. Research, testing, engineering,

and architectural services should provide significant numbers

of job openings.

Mining engineers

3,600

( )

Little change in employment is expected. The small numberof

new graduates, however, is expected to find favorable

job opportunities.

Nuclear engineers

17,000

(3)

Although employment is expected to change

little,opportunities should be good because the number of

people graduating with degrees in nuclear engineering is

likely to below and in rough balance with the number of job

openings.

Petroleum engineers

14,000

-2

(3)

Employment is expected to decline unless oil and gas

prices rise enough to increase exploration in this country,

which is unlikely. Even without job growth, opportunities

for petroleum engineers should be good because the number

of degrees granted in petroleum engineering is low.

Architects and surveyors

Architects

96,000

25,000

Employment is expected to grow as fast as average as

new construction spurs demand. Competition for jobs will be

keen,however, particularly during recessions. Architects

familiar with computer aided design technology may have

better opportunities, especially when the job market is

tight.

Landscape architects

19,000

5,000

Average employment growth is expected, in keeping

with anticipated growth in construction. Landscape architects

will be needed to design and develop land surrounding

new construction, convert open space into recreation areas

and parks, and refurbish existing sites.

Surveyors

99,000

13,000

Jobs are expected to increase more slowly than average.

Job growth will not keep pace with construction activity

because new technology makes workers more productive.

Growth will fluctuate from year to year because construction is

sensitive toswings in the overall economy. Opportunities

should be bestfor people with at least a bachelor's degree.

Computer, mathematical, and operations research occupations

Actuaries

15,000

4,300

Despite expected faster than average employment

growth,especially for consulting actuaries, the number of

jobopenings will be low because of the small size of

this occupation. Relatively high potential earnings make

the occupation attractive to many who have a

mathematical aptitude, thereby increasing competition.

Computer scientists and systems analysts

666,000

111

737,000

Employment is expected to grow much faster than average as

organizations demand technological advances to maximize the

efficiency of their computer systems and increasingly

recognize the need to design computer networks that will

facilitate the sharing of information. Individuals with

advanced degrees in computer science should enjoy very

favorable job prospects. Those witha bachelor's degree in

computer science, computer engineering, information science,

or information systems also should have good prospects for

employment.

Mathematicians

16,000

1,200

Expected slow downs in research and development will result in

slower than average employment growth. Job opportunities will

be best for those whose educational background includes both

mathematics and a related discipline, such as

computer programming, operations research, or engineering.

Operations research analysts

45,000

27,000

Employment is expected to grow much faster than average due

to the increasing importance of quantitative analysis

indecision making and the increasing availability of

computing resources. Much of the expected growth will be in

the transportation, manufacturing, finance, and

services industries. Job opportunities will be best for those

who hold amaster's or Ph.D.

Statisticians

16,000

1,500

The number of jobs for statisticians is expected to grow

more slowly than average. Workers with a bachelor's degree

in statistics and a strong background in

mathematics,engineering, or physical or computer science

will have the best prospects for finding jobs..

Life scientists

Agricultural scientists

29,000

4,200

Overall, average employment growth is expected

for agricultural scientists. Continued interest in the

environment and in improved food products and processing

techniques will spur demand for soil scientists and food

technologists.Animal and plant scientists with a background

in molecular biology, microbiology, genetics, or

biotechnology also should have good opportunities. However,

budget cuts may limit funding for basic research, creating

keen competition for these jobs.

Biological and medical

117,000

31,000

Efforts to clean up and

scientists

preserve the environment, use biological methods to

develop and produce goods, and expand health-related research

will fuel demand for biological and medical scientists,

leading to faster than average employment growth.

Nevertheless, budget tightening may slow funding of

government research grants,creating competition for

positions.

Foresters and conservation scientists

35,000

4,300

Slower than average employment growth is expected for

foresters and conservation scientists, partly due to

budgetary constraints in the Federal government, where

employment is concentrated.Opportunities will be better in

private industry and State andlocal governments, where

demand will increase in response to a growing emphasis on

environmental protection and responsible land management.

Physical scientists

Chemists

92,000

20,000

Average employment growth is expected. Demand for

new consumer goods such as better pharmaceuticals, personal

care products, and specialty chemicals designed to address

specific problems will counter balance the slower growth

expected in other types of research and development.

Geologists and geophysicists

48,000

11,000

Average employment growth is expected. Although employment

prospects are uncertain in the petroleum industry, demand for

these professionals in environmental protection and

reclamation is expected to be strong.

Meteorologists

6,100

1,500

Average employment growth will result both from hiring bythe

National Weather Service to improve short-term andlocal-area

weather forecasts and from the growth of

private environmental, weather, and consulting firms.

Physicists and astronomers

21,000

-3

-700

Small employment declines will result from the

expected reduction of civilian and defense-related research.

Lawyers and judges

716,000

197,000

Jobs for lawyers are expected to increase faster than

average in response to growth in population and business

activity.Employment of judges is expected to increase more

slowly than average as public concern about crime is

tempered by tight government budgets. Keen competition for

job openingsis expected for both occupations.

Social scientists and urban planners

258,000

95,000

Faster than average growth is expected due to rising concern

over the environment, crime, communicable diseases, mental

illness,and the growing elderly and homeless populations,

the increasingly competitive global economy, and a wide

range of other issues. Job prospects are best for those with

advanced degrees and are generally better in disciplines

which offer many opportunities in non academic settings.

Competitionmay ease for academic jobs due to an expected

wave of retirements among college and university faculty.

Economists and marketing research analysts

51,000

13,000

Average growth is expected due to the increasingly complex

and competitive global economy and increased reliance on

quantitative methods of analyzing business trends,

forecasting sales, and planning. Graduates with related work

experience or an advanced degree should have the best job

opportunities.Training in quantitative techniques and their

application toeconomic modeling, forecasting, and marketing

research provide applicants with the most marketable skills.

Psychologists

143,000

69,000

Much faster than average growth is expected for

several reasons: Increased emphasis on mental health

maintenance in conjunction with the treatment of physical

illness; public concern for the development of human

resources, including the growing elderly population;

increased testing and counseling of children; interest in

rehabilitation of prisoners;and development of programs to

combat substance abuse,crime, marital strife, and other

problems plaguing society.Opportunities are best for

candidates with a doctoral degree in applied specialties.

Graduates with a master's degree may encounter competition

for the limited number of jobs for which they qualify, while

bachelor's degree holders can expect very few opportunities

directly related to psychology.

Sociologists

( )

(4)

Job growth will stem from increasing demand for research

in such fields as demography, criminology, and gerontology

and from the need to evaluate and administer social and

welfare programs. Sociologists well-trained in quantitative

research methods and practical rather than theoretical

sociology should have the widest choice of jobs. Ph.D.'s have

the best opportunities for academic positions and will find

that non academic opportunities also are expanding. People

with amaster's degree face keen competition for academic

positions but will be able to enter sociological practice.

Urban and regional planners

28,000

6,400

Average growth will stem from the importance of planning

in several fields. Those with certification or a master's

degree from an accredited planning program, or a master's

degree in civil engineering or landscape architecture coupled

with training in transportation or environmental planning

have the best job prospects. Graduates with an accredited

bachelor's degree in planning have relatively good job

prospects.

Social and recreation workers

Human services workers

189,000

136

256,000

Jobs are expected to increase much faster than average due

to the expansion of facilities and programs for the elderly

and disabled and the provision of more services for families

incrisis. Opportunities for qualified people should be

excellent due to high job turnover, relatively low pay, and

the demanding nature of the work.

Social workers

484,000

191,000

Faster than average job growth is expected in response to

the increased needs of the elderly, mentally ill, and

disabled aswell as individuals and families in crisis. Some

of the need will be met through greater use of human services

workers to assist social workers. Competition for social

worker jobs is expected in some areas.

Recreation workers

204,000

78,000

Employment is expected to grow faster than average

in response to population growth, increased interest in

health and fitness, and rising demand for organized

recreational activities. Competition is expected for full-

time career positions, but opportunities for seasonal and

part-time work should be good.

Religious workers

Protestant ministers

290,000

( )

(6)

Competition is expected to continue due to the slow growth

of church membership and the large number of men and women

attracted to the profession. Graduates of theological

schools should have the best opportunities.

Rabbis

3,9005

(6)

Job opportunities are expected to be generally favorable in

thefour major branches of Judaism. Present unmet needs

forrabbis, together with the many rabbis approaching

retirementage, should insure that the relatively constant

numbers of people completing rabbinical training should have

good job prospects.

Roman Catholic priests

53,0005

(6)

Opportunities are expected to continue to be very

favorabledue to a shortage of priests. The number of men

becoming priests in recent years has not been, and will not

be, enough to meet needs even if seminary enrollments

continue their recent slow increase, especially in light of

the growing numbers of priests reaching retirement age.

Teachers, librarians, and counselors

Adult education teachers

540,000

172,000

Employment is expected to grow faster than average as

the demand for adult education programs continues to rise.

To keep abreast of changes in their fields and advances

in technology, an increasing number of adults are taking

courses to advance their careers, upgrade their skills, and

enrich their lives. Opportunities will be best in computer

technology,automotive mechanics, medical technology, and

other fields that offer attractive, and often higher paying,

jobs outside of teaching.

Archivists and curators

19,000

3,500

Average employment growth is expected. More archivists

will be needed as institutions put more emphasis on

establishing archives and organizing records. Museums and

botanical andzoological gardens, where curators are

concentrated, are expected to grow in response to increased

interest in science,art, history, and technology. However,

competition for jobs is expected to be keen. Graduates with

highly specialized training and practical work experience

have the best opportunities.

College and university faculty

812,000

214,000

Employment is expected to increase about as fast as average

as enrollment in higher education increases. In addition,

retirements should begin increasing in the late 1990's,

resulting in improved opportunities for college faculty

positions and tenure. Fewer faculty members should have to

take part-time or short-term appointments. Job prospects will

continue to be better in such fields as business,

engineering, health science, computer science, physical

sciences, and mathematics than in other specialties, largely

because very attractive non academic jobs will be available

for many potential faculty members in these fields.

Counselors

154,000

50,000

Employment is expected to grow faster than average

inresponse to increasing demand for school,

rehabilitation,mental health, and employment counselors.

Opportunities should increase significantly by the end of the

decade as a large number of counselors reach retirement age.

Librarians

141,000

17,000

Employment is expected to grow more slowly than

average,continuing the trend of the 1980's. Budget ary

constraints in school, public, and college libraries and the

increasing use of computerized information storage and

retrieval systems will dampen demand. Opportunities will be

best in non traditional settings information brokers, private

corporations, and consulting firms. Willingness to relocate

will greatly enhance job prospects.

School teachers_kinder- garten, elementary, and secondary

3,255,000

1,113,000

Faster than average employment growth is expected; however,

projected growth varies among individual teaching

occupations.Employment of special education teachers is

expected to increase much faster than average due to

legislation emphasizing training and employment for

individuals with disabilities; technological advances

resulting in more survivors of accidents and illnesses; and

growing public interest in individuals with special needs.

Employment of secondary school teachers is expected to grow

faster than average, while average employment growth is

projected for kindergarten and elementary school teachers,

reflecting population trends and corresponding student

enrollment. Job prospects generally are better in cities and

rural areas than in suburbs. Mathematics, science, and

special education teachers remain in short supply in many

locales.

Health diagnosing occupations

Chiropractors

46,000

16,000

Employment is expected to grow faster than average because of

rapid growth in the older population, with its

increased like lihood of physiological problems. Greater

publica wareness of the profession also will encourage

growth.Replacement needs are low because chiropractors

generally remain in the profession until they retire.

Dentists

183,000

9,500

Employment is expected to grow more slowly than

average despite growing demand. Dentists will absorb the

increase in demand for services by working more hours and

hiring more dental hygienists and dental assistants to handle

routine services. Demand for dental care should grow

substantially:The baby-boom generation will seek more care

as it ages; the elderly will require more care than their

predecessors because they are more likely to retain their

teeth; and the younger generation will need preventive check-

ups.

Optometrists

31,000

4,800

Employment is expected to grow as fast as average in order

to meet the needs of a population that is larger, older, and

more aware of the need for proper eye care. Replacement

needs are low because optometrists generally remain in the

profession until they retire.

Physicians

556,000

195,000

Employment is expected to grow faster than average due to

agrowing and aging population and technologic alimprovements

that encourage expansion of the health care industry. Job

prospects are good for primary, geriatric, and preventive

care specialists. Some shortages have been reported in

general surgery and psychiatry and in some rura land low

income areas. Replacement needs are low because physicians

generally remain in the profession until they retire.

Podiatrists

15,000

5,500

Employment is expected to grow faster than average due tothe

rising demand for podiatric services, especially by

older people. Establishing a new podiatric practice will be

toughest in areas surrounding the seven colleges of podiatric

medicine since podiatrists are concentrated in these

locations.Replacement needs are low because podiatrists

generally remain in the profession until they retire.

Veterinarians

44,000

14,000

Employment is expected to grow faster than average due to

an increase in the number of pets and greater willingness of

petowners to pay for more intensive care. The outlook will

be particularly good for veterinarians with specialty

training intoxicology, laboratory animal medicine, and

pathology.

Health assessment and treating occupations

Dietitians and nutritionists

50,000

13,000

Employment is expected to grow about as fast as

average because of increasing emphasis on nutrition in

nursing homes, hospitals, physicians' offices, and social

serviceprograms.

Occupational therapists

40,000

24,000

Employment is expected to grow much faster than average due

to strong growth in rehabilitative services. Medical advances

now make it possible for more patients with critical problems

to survive and need therapy. Also, as the baby-

boomgeneration moves into middle age, the incidence of

heart attack and stroke will increase. The rapidly

growing population 75 years of age and above and disabled

child renentering special education programs will spur

further demand.

Pharmacists

163,000

47,000

Spurred by the pharmaceutical needs of a larger and

older population and greater use of medication, employment

is expected to grow faster than average.

Physical therapists

90,000

79,000

Employment is expected to grow much faster than

average.Growth will occur as new technologies save more

trauma victims and permit more disabled people to be treated,

who then will need therapy. Demand also will come from an

aging population that is more likely to encounter heart

attacks,strokes, and other debilitating conditions. Younger

people will also need therapy as medical advances save the

lives of more newborns with birth defects.

Physician assistants

58,000

20,000

Employment is expected to grow faster than average due

to expansion of the health services industry and

increased emphasis on cost containment and primary care.

Job prospects will be excellent, especially in rural and low

income areas that have difficulty attracting physicians.

Recreational therapists

30,000

12,000

Employment is expected to grow faster than average,

because of expansion in long-term care, physical and

psychiatricre habilitation, and services for the disabled.

The growing number of older people is expected to spur job

growth for activity directors in nursing homes, retirement

communities,adult day care programs, and social service

agencies.Continued growth is expected in community

residential facilities as well as in day care programs for

people with disabilities. Job prospects are expected to be

best for those with clinical experience.

Registered nurses

1,835,000

765,000

Much faster than average growth is expected due to

overall growth in health care and medical technology. Job

prospects will be good, especially as emphasis on primary

care grows.Many job openings will also result from the need

to replace experienced nurses who leave this large

occupation.

Respiratory therapists

74,000

36,000

Employment is expected to grow much faster than

average because of the substantial growth in the middle-aged

and elderly population. An older population is more likely

to suffer from cardiopulmonary diseases such as

pneumonia,chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and heart disease.

Rapid growth in the number of patients with AIDS also will

boost demand since lung disease often accompanies AIDS.

Because medical advances will allow more premature infants

to survive, job opportunities are expected to be highly

favorable for those with neonatal care skills.

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists

73,000

37,000

Much faster than average overall growth is expected because

the increased number of older people and the entrance of the

baby-boomers into an age bracket when the possibility of

stroke-induced hearing and speech loss increases. Increased

emphasis on early detection and prevention will also spur

growth.

Communications occupations

Public relations specialists

98,000

26,000

Average growth will stem from the recognition

by organizations of all sizes of the need for good public

relations in an increasingly competitive business

environment. Keen competition for public relations jobs will

likely continue among recent college graduates with a degree

in communications as the number of applicants is expected

to exceed the number of job openings.

Radio and television announcers and newscasters

56,000

14,000

Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average as

new radio and television stations are licensed and the number

of cable television systems continues to grow. Competition

will be very keen because the broadcasting field attracts

many more jobseekers than there are jobs. Radio stations are

more inclined than are television stations to hire beginners.

Reporters and correspondents

58,000

15,000

Employment is expected to grow about as fast as

average.Competition on large metropolitan newspapers and

broadcast stations and on national magazines will continue to

be keen.Small town and suburban newspapers will continue to

offer better opportunities for beginners. Talented writers

who can handle highly specialized scientific or technical

subjects have an advantage.

Writers and editors

283,000

66,000

Employment is expected to increase about as fast as

average.Employment of salaried writers and editors by

newspapers,periodicals, book publishers, nonprofit

organizations, and advertising and public relations agencies

is expected to increase with growing demand for their

publications. Demand for technical writers is expected to

increase because of the continuing expansion of scientific

and technical information.

Visual arts occupations

Designers

302,000

57,000

Employment is expected to grow about as fast as

average.Designers in most fields can expect to face

competition throughout their careers as a result of the

abundant supply of talented, well-educated individuals

attracted to this occupation. Job opportunities should be

best in floral design due to its relatively low pay and

limited advancement opportunities. Opportunities also should

be good for qualified people in some specialized fields, such

as furniture design.

Photographers and camera and newscasters

118,000

29,000

Average employment growth will stem from increasing use of

visual images in education,communication, entertainment,

marketing, and research and development and as businesses

make greater use of videos for training films, business

meetings, sales campaigns, and public relations work.

However, competition will be keen for what is generally

regarded as an exciting field.

Visual artists

273,000

63,000

Average employment growth is expected for both

graphic designers and fine artists. Despite demands by

advertising agencies, publishing firms, and other businesses

for creative and ingenious designs, graphic designers can

expect competition for employment. Competition for jobs also

will continue to be keen among fine artists, who often create

art tosatisfy their need for self-expression, and display

their works in museums, art galleries, and homes.

Performing arts occupations

Actors, directors, and producers

129,000

69,000

Much faster than average job growth is expected. Keen

competition is expected for jobs because large numbers of

people are attracted to these careers,which do not require

formal preparation. Only a relatively few people will find

regular employment.

Dancers and choreographers

18,000

4,600

Jobs are expected to increase about as fast as average due

to the public's continued interest in dance. Very

keen competition is expected for job openings, and only the

most talented will find regular employment.

Musicians

236,000

59,000

Jobs are expected to grow about as fast as average due to

the continued demand for live and recorded

musical entertainment. Competition for jobs will be keen, and

even many talented individuals will not be able to make a

living solely as musicians. Opportunities will be best for

people with an ability to play several instruments and a

variety of types of music.

TECHNICIANS AND RELATED SUPPORT OCCUPATIONS

Health technologists and technicians

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians

31,000

2,600

Overall employment is expected to grow more slowly than

average, but technicians and technologists will experience

different patterns of employment change. Employment of EKG

technicians is expected to decline as hospitals train nurses

and other personnel to perform basic EKG procedures.

Employment of cardiology technologists is expected to grow

faster than average as the population ages because older

people have a higher incidence of heart problems.

Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians

268,000

71,000

Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average,

with demand stimulated by the growth of the older population

and its accompanying medical problems. Technological

advances will have opposite effects on employment: New,

more powerful tests encourage more testing, but automation

and simpler tests make each worker more productive. The

fastest growth is expected in independent medical

laboratories.Rapid growth also is expected in the offices

and clinics of physicians. Hospitals will experience only

slow growth as they continue to send laboratories a greater

share of their testing.

Dental hygienists

108,000

46,000

Employment should grow much faster than average because of

increased demand for dental care. Demand will arise

from population growth, greater retention of natural teeth

by middle-aged and elderly people, and rising incomes.

Also,dentists are likely to hire more hygienists as their

work loads increase.

Dispensing opticians

63,000

22,000

Employment is expected to grow faster than average

in response to rising demand for corrective lenses as

the population grows and ages. Replacement needs will

be significant. This occupation emplys many young people;

and,like many other occupations in retail trade, many

people transfer to other fields.

EEG technologists

6,300

3,400

Employment is expected to grow much faster than

average,reflecting the increased number of neurodiagnostic

tests performed. More testing will occur as new tests

and procedures are developed and as the aging

population requires more medical care.

Emergency medical and technicians

114,000

41,000

Employment technicians is expected to grow faster than

average because of the increasing number of older people, who

are more likely to need emergency services. Most job openings

will occur because of this occupation's high turnover.

Licensed practical nurses

659,000

261,000

Employment is expected to grow faster than average

in response to general demand and the long-term-care needs of

a rapidly growing elderly population. Job prospects

should remain excellent unless the number of people

completing LPN training increases substantially.

Medical record technicians

76,000

47,000

Employment is expected to grow much faster than

average.Demand will arise from rapid growth in the number

of medical tests, treatments, and procedures and the

increasing scrutiny of medical records by third-party payers,

courts, andconsumers.

Nuclear medicine technologists

12,000

6,100

Employment is expected to grow much faster than average.

Substantial growth in the number of middle-aged and older

people will spur demand for nuclear medicine tests.

Technological innovations should increase the uses of nuclear

medicine,further strengthening demand.

Radiologic technologists

162,000

102,000

Employment is expected to grow much faster than average.New

generations of diagnostic imaging equipment should increase

demand. Also, more treatment of cancer is anticipated due to

the aging of the population and the improved ability to

detect malignancies.

Surgical technologists

44,000

19,000

Much faster than average growth is expected as a

growing population and technological advances increase the

number of surgical procedures performed. Growth will be

fastest inclinics and offices of physicians due to increased

out patient surgery; however, most jobs will be in hospitals.

Technicians except health

Aircraft pilots

85,000

30,000

Despite faster than average employment growth, pilots

should face considerable competition for jobs because the

glamour,prestige, and high pay associated with the

occupation attractmany applicants. Pilots who have logged

the greatest number of flying hours using the most

sophisticated equipment andthose with the most FAA licenses

generally have the best prospects.

Air traffic controllers

23,000

2,300

Employment growth is expected to be slower than average

as productivity gains stemming from labor saving air

traffic control equipment offset some of the demand generated

by more aircraft flying. Competition for jobs is expected

to remain keen because the occupation's relatively high pay

and liberal retirement plan attract many applicants.

Broadcast technicians

35,000

1,400

Employment in radio and television broadcasting is

expected to grow more slowly than average because of

laborsaving technologies. Employment in the motion picture

industry will grow faster than average as more movies are

made. Job prospects are expected to remain competitive

because of the large number of people attracted to this

relatively small field.

Computer programmers

555,000

169,000

Employment is expected to grow faster than average

as organizations seek new applications for computers

and improvement to the software already in use. Employment

is not expected to grow as rapidly as in the past,

however,because new software and techniques have simplified

or eliminated some programming tasks. Job opportunities

should be particularly plentiful in data processing services

firms,software houses, and computer consulting businesses.

Drafters

314,000

35,000

Despite increasing demands by industry for drafting

services,productivity gains due to advances in computer-

aided drafting technology are expected to result in slower

than average employment growth.

Engineering technicians

695,000

132,000

Average employment growth is expected. Overall, the drive

to improve manufacturing facilities and product designs

will provide good employment opportunities; however, the

outlook varies with the area of specialization and

industry;technicians whose jobs are defense related may

experience fewer opportunities because of cutbacks.

Library technicians

71,000

18,000

Average employment growth will be spurred by

increasing automation. Computerized information systems

have simplified certain tasks, such as descriptive

cataloging, which can now be handled by technicians instead

of librarians.However, budgetary constraints may dampen

employment growth in school, public, and college and

university libraries.Willingness to relocate enhances one's

job prospects.

Paralegals

95,000

81,000

Employment is expected to grow much faster than average

as law firms and other employers of legal workers

restructuret asks to make greater use of paralegals. However,

keen competition for jobs should continue as the large number

of people graduating from paralegal training programs

exceeds job growth.

Science technicians

244,000

61,000

Average employment growth is expected because of the growth

of scientific research and development and the production of

technical products. Job opportunities will be best for

individuals who have training or experience on the equipment

currently in use in industrial and government laboratories.

MARKETING AND SALES OCCUPATIONS

Cashiers

2,747,000

669,900

Average growth is expected, spurred by a growing population's

expanding demand for goods and services. As in the past,

replacement needs will create a significant number of job

openings because the occupation is large and turnover is much

higher than average.

Counter and rental clerks

242,000

88,000

Faster than average employment growth is expected due

torising demand for laundry and dry cleaning,

automobile rental, amusement and recreation, and equipment

rental and leasing services. Part-time employment

opportunities should be especially plentiful.

Insurance agents and brokers

415,000

62,000

Employment is expected to increase about as fast as

average as increasing productivity mode rates growth in

response to the rising volume of sales of insurance and other

financial products. Opportunities will be best for ambitious

people who enjoy sales work and develop expertise in a wide

range of insurance and financial services. Many beginners

abandon this highly competitive business because they are

unable to establish a sufficiently large clientele.

Manufacturers' and wholesale sales representatives

1,613,000

78,000

Employment growth is expected to be slower than average as

more firms rely on technology such as electronic data

interchange, point of sale inventory systems, and expert

system software and as more large companies begin to

negotiate directly with suppliers,by passing sales

representatives entirely.

Real estate agents, brokers, and appraisers

397,000

63,000

Average employment growth is expected as a result of the

growing volume of sales of residential and commercial

property. Because turnover is high, real estate sales

positions should be relatively easy to obtain.

Retail sales workers

4,086,000

877,000

Employment is expected to increase about as fast as

average due to anticipated growth in retail trade. As in the

past,replacement needs will generate an exceptionally

large number of sales jobs because the occupation is large

and turnover is much higher than average.

Securities and financial services sales representatives

200,000

65,000

Employment is expected to grow faster than average as

economic growth,rising personal incomes, and greater

inherited wealth increase the funds available for investment

and as banks and other financial institutions offer an

increasing array of financial services. Due to the highly

competitive nature of securities sales work, many beginners

leave the field because they areunable to establish a

sufficient clientele. Job prospects shouldbe best for mature

individuals with successful sales experience.

Services sales representatives

488,000

185,000

Faster than average growth is expected in response to

the growth of the services industries. However, employment

will not keep pace with industry growth due to downsizing and

the use of technologies, such as voice mail, cellular

telephones,and laptop computers, that increase productivity.

Prospective services sales representatives with a college

background or a proven sales record should have the best job

opportunities.

Travel agents

115,000

76,000

Employment is expected to grow much faster than average due

to a sharp increase in business and vacation travel.

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT OCCUPATIONS INCLUDING CLERICAL

Adjusters, investigators, and collectors

1,185,000

367,000

Job growth is expected to be about as fast as average as a

result of increases in the population, the economy, and the

volume of insurance sales.Bill and account collectors and

insurance adjusters and examiners will grow the most rapidly.

Bank tellers

525,000

-4

-24,000

Employment is projected to decline. Over expansion

and competition from large nonbank corporations will result

in closings, mergers, and consolidations in the banking

industry,where employment of tellers is highly concentrated.

Further,teller employment could be adversely affected by

new technologies if they are widely adopted by

banks.Nevertheless, qualified applicants should have good

prospects because the number of job openings is large.

Clerical supervisors and managers

1,267,000

301,000

Employment is expected to increase as fast as average. These

workers will not be affected as dramatically by office

automation as other administrative support workers, although

automation may limit growth in some areas. Job openings will

be numerous due to replacement needs.

Computer and peripheral equipment operators

296,000

-41

-122,000

Employment is expected to decline sharply as data centers

become increasingly automated and as more computing is done

with personal computers.

Credit clerks and authorizers

218,000

53,000

Average employment growth is expected as the number ofreal

estate, retail sales, and other transactions requiring

credit increases.

General office clerks

2,688,000

654,000

Average employment growth is anticipated as more

small businesses place a single office worker in charge of

allclerical duties. Opportunities should be quite

favorable because high turnover in this very large occupation

produces many job openings.

Information clerks

1,333,000

429,000

Faster than average growth is expected due to economic growth

and general business expansion. Replacement needs will create

large numbers of job openings. Many opportunities for part-

time work will be available.

Hotel and motel desk clerks

122,000

50,000

Faster than average growth is expected due to the

expansion of the number of hotels, motels, and other

lodging establishments. Job opportunities should be

relatively good because turnover is very high. Opportunities

for part-timework should continue to be plentiful.

Interviewing and new accounts clerks

175,000

34,000

Overall employment is expected to increase about as fast as

average. Employment of interviewing clerks is expected to

grow faster than average in the health services industry and

much faster than average in personnel supply services as more

firms contract for the services of these clerks. New accounts

clerks can anticipate slower than average employment growth,

reflecting slow growth among commercial banks and savings

and loan institutions.

Receptionists

904,000

305,000

Faster than average growth is expected due to strong

growth in the services sector of the economy. Job

opportunities should be plentiful due to high turnover.

Because many receptionists also perform secretarial duties,

good typing and computer skills, coupled with strong

interpersonal and communications skills, enhance one's job

prospects.

Reservation and transportation

131,000

39,000

Faster than average ticket agents and travel clerks

growth is expected due to expansion of both business and

pleasure travel. Most applicants are likely to encounter

considerable competition because the supply of qualified

applicants far outstrips demand. Airline jobs, in

particular, attract many applicants because of the travel

benefits and glamour associated with the industry.

Mail clerks and messengers

271,000

26,000

Jobs are expected to increase more slowly than average as

the increasing automation of mail handling offsets somewhat

the growing volume of internal mail, parcels, and other

written information that must be handled and delivered. High

turnover should result in plentiful job openings.

Material recording, scheduling,

3,558,000

455,000

Overall

dispatching and distributing occupations

employment is expected to grow more slowly than average.The

volume of business transactions will increase as the economy

grows, but automation will enable workers to bemore

productive, holding down employment growth somewhat. Job

prospects for individual occupations vary.

Dispatchers

222,000

46,000

Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average

due to the growing need for the various services

dispatchers provide.

Stock clerks

1,969,000

187,000

Even though employment is expected to grow more slowly than

average, job prospects should be favorable. This occupation

is very large, and many job openings will occur each year to

replace workers who transfer to other jobs or leave the labor

force. Growing use of computers for inventory control and

automated equipment are expected to hold downdemand,

especially in manufacturing and in wholesale

trade,industries whose operations are most easily automated.

Traffic, shipping, and receiving clerks

824,000

147,000

Employment is expected to increase about as fast as average.

Employment growth will be affected by automation, as all but

the smallest firms move to hold down labor costs by using

computers to store and retrieve shipping and receiving

records. However, certain functions cannot be automated.

Postal clerks and mail carriers

361,000

( )

1,600

Little change is expected in overall employment. Employment

of postal clerks is expected to decline due to the

implementation of productivity-increasing

automated equipment. Postal mail carrier employment is

expected to change little, the result of the conflicting

factors of increased mail volume and the growing use of

automated sorting equipment. Competition for jobs will be

keen as the number of applicants continues to far exceed the

number of job openings.

Record clerks

3,573,000

204,000

Slower than average employment growth is expected

as automation makes these workers more productive.

However,opportunities will be plentiful for full-time, part-

time, and seasonal employment due to above average turnover

in this large occupation.

Billing clerks

409,000

12,000

Little change in employment is expected as computers

are increasingly used to manage account information and as

more advanced equipment replaces billing machines.

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks

2,112,000

73,000

Little change in employment is expected. Although a growing

economy will result in more financial transactions,

continuing automation will increase productivity and limit

employment growth.However, employment opportunities should

be plentiful due to the size of the occupation and relatively

high turnover.

Brokerage clerks and statement clerks

88,000

5,900

Slower than average employment growth is expected as further

automation and changes in business practices reduce demand

for these workers.

File clerks

257,000

48,000

Average employment growth is expected as

recordkeeping requirements continue to rise. Demand will be

strongest in the rapidly growing health sector. Job

opportunities should be plentiful due to high turnover.

Library assistants and bookmobile drivers

114,000

20,000

Average employment growth is expected due to growth in local

government and schools.Job prospects should be favorable,

especially for part-timework.

Order clerks

300,000

13,000

Little change in employment is expected as office

automation continues to increase the productivity of these

workers.However, job opportunities should be plentiful,

especially for outside order clerks who deal directly with

the public.

Payroll and timekeeping clerks

165,000

( )

(8)

Employment is expected to change little as continuing

automation of payroll and timekeeping make these workers

more productive.

Personnel clerks

128,000

32,000

Average employment growth is expected. Despite an increasing

workload, rising productivity through automation will

moderate demand.

Secretaries

3,324,000

386,000

Overall employment is expected to grow more slowly

than average, in spite of projected rapid growth for legal

and medical secretaries. Employment gains resulting from

an increase in the amount of office work and the assumption

of new responsibilities by secretaries will be tempered

by productivity gains made possible by automation. Job

prospects should continue to be excellent, however, for well

qualified secretaries.

Stenographers and court reporters

115,000

-2

-1,700

Employment is expected to decline as decreases in

stenographer jobs more than offset growth in transcriptionist

and court reporter jobs. Wide spreaduse of dictation machines

should continue to greatly reduce the need for stenographers,

but medical transcriptionist jobs should increase as health

services grows. Growing use ofvideo recordings of court

proceedings should dampen growth of court reporters.

Teacher aides

885,000

381,000

Employment is expected to grow much faster than average

inresponse to the rising number of special education

classes,restructuring of schools, and increasing number of

students who speak English as a second language.

Telephone operators

314,000

-28

-89,000

Employment is expected to decline due to automatic switching

systems, voice message systems, and voice recognition

technology.

Typists, word processors, and data entry keyers

1,238,000

-4

-46,000

Employment is expected to decline, primarily due to new

technologies that allow moredata to be collected at the

point of its origin or transmitted electronically. Job

prospects will be best for those with abroad knowledge of

office technology.

SERVICE OCCUPATIONS

Protective service occupations

Correction officers

282,000

197,000

Employment is expected to increase much faster than

average as correctional facilities expand and additional

officers are hired to supervise and counsel a growing number

of inmates.The large number of job openings from both rapid

growth and replacement needs will ensure highly favorable

employment prospects.

Firefighting occupations

305,000

50,000

Average employment growth is expected as the

Nation's population grows and fire protection needs increase.

Keen competition is expected in most areas; the best

opportunities are likely to be found in smaller communities

with expanding populations.

Guards

803,000

408,000

Much faster than average employment growth is expected due to

increasing concern about crime, vandalism, and terrorism

.Job opportunities should be plentiful, although

some competition is expected for in-house guard jobs,

which generally have higher salaries, more benefits, better

job security, and greater potential for advancement.

Opportunities will be best for those who work for contract

security agencies.

Police, detectives, and special agents

700,000

92,000

Employment is expected to increase more slowly than average.

Job growth resulting from increases in the population and the

need for police protection will be restrained by tight

government budgets. Keen competition is likely for most jobs.

Food and beverage preparation and service occupations

Chefs, cooks, and other kitchen workers

3,092,000

1,190,000

Job growth is expected to be faster than average as the

population and economy both grow and as fewer meals are

prepared at home. High turnover should result in plentiful

job openings.

Food and beverage service workers

4,365,000

1,124,000

Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average in

response to growth in the population and economy.

Job openings should continue to be plentiful due to high

turnover.

Health service occupations

Dental assistants

183,000

72,000

Employment is expected to grow faster than

average.Population growth, higher incomes, and greater

retention of natural teeth by middle-aged and older people

will fuel demand for dental services. Also, dentists are

expected to hiremore assistants to perform routine tasks.

Medical assistants

181,000

128,000

Much faster than average growth is anticipated due

to expansion of the health services industry. In view of the

high turnover in the occupation and the preference of

many physicians for trained personnel, job prospects should

be excellent for medical assistants with formal training

or experience.

Nursing aides and psychiatric aides

1,389,000

616,000

Overall employment is projected to grow much faster than

average. Employment of nursing aides will also grow much

faster than average as a result of the expansion of nursing

and personal care facilities.Employment of psychiatric aides

is expected to grow faster than average to meet the needs of

very old people and those suffering from acute psychiatric

and substance abuse problems. Replacement needs will be high

because of relatively high turnover in this occupation. Job

prospects are expected to be very good.

Personal service and cleaning occupations

Animal caretakers, except farm

103,000

41,000

Employment is expected to grow faster than average due to a

significant increase in the number of dogs and cats who need

care. The best prospects should be for graduates of training

programs in veterinary technology.

Barbers and cosmetologists

746,000

239,000

Population growth and rising incomes will produce faster than

average employment growth. Most of this growth will bein

cosmetology, reflecting shifting consumer preferences toward

personalized styling in full-service salons. Job prospects

will be best for those specializing in nail and skincare.

Part-time employment will continue to account for

asignificant share of the job growth.

Flight attendants

93,000

47,000

Employment is expected to grow much faster than average

as the number of airline passengers continues to

increase.Competition for jobs is expected to remain very

keen.Applicants with at least 2 years of college and

experience in dealing with the public have the best

prospects.

Gardeners and groundskeepers

884,000

311,000

Faster than average employment growth is expected in response

to increasing demand for gardening and landscaping services.

Employment opportunities should be plentiful.

Homemaker-home health aides

475,000

136

645,000

A substantial increase in the elderly population, greater

efforts to care for the chronically ill at home, and

development of in-home medical technologies should spur much

faster than average growth.Job opportunities are excellent.

Janitors and cleaners and cleaning supervisors

3,018,000

600,000

Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average as

the number of office buildings, apartment houses, schools,

hospitals, and other buildings increases. The occupation is

easy to enter, turnover is high, and part-time and temporary

jobs are plentiful.

Preschool workers

941,000

611,000

Employment is projected to increase much faster than average,

reflecting a shift in the kind of child-care arrangements

parents choose, and a rise in labor force participation among

women ages 20-44. Job openings should be plentiful because

many pre school workers leave the occupation each year for

other, often better paying, jobs,family responsibilities, or

other reasons. Qualified people should have little trouble

finding and keeping a job.

Private household workers

869,000

-33

-286,000

Employment is expected to decline. The severely

limited supply of people willing to work in this field has

given rise tochild care and household cleaning service

firms, which adversely affects employment in this

occupation.Nevertheless, job opportunities should be

excellent.

AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY, FISHING, AND RELATED OCCUPATIONS

Farm operators and managers

1,218,000

-17

-204,000

Employment is expected to decline as farms become larger,

more productive, and fewer in number. Nevertheless,

replacement needs will result in many job openings.

Fishers, hunters, and trappers

60,000

3,000

Slower than average growth is expected due to

stock depletion. Many operations currently are at or

beyond maximum sustain able yield, limiting potential

for occupational growth. Employment growth of fishers will

also be restrained by improvements in fishing vessels and

gear.

Forestry and logging occupations

131,000

3,200

Little change in overal employment is expected. Despite an

increase in demand for lumber and wood products,

improvements in logging equipment will cause employment of

timber and logging workers to decline. Employment of forestry

and conservation workers is expected to increase moderately as

environmental concerns help spur demand. However, these jobs

are soughtby many people, and applicants are expected to

face competition.

MECHANICS, INSTALLERS, AND REPAIRERS

Aircraft mechanics and engine specialists

131,000

17,000

Slower than average employment growth is expected as

productivity gain sresulting from greater use of automated

inventory control and modular systems speed repairs and parts

replacement. Job prospects are likely to be best in general

aviation.

Automotive body repairers

202,000

61,000

Employment is expected to increase faster than average due

to a rise in the number of motor vehicles and the popularity

of lighter weight cars, which are more easily damaged

in collisions and more difficult to repair. Opportunities

should be best for people with formal training in automotive

body repair or mechanics.

Automotive mechanics

739,000

168,000

Employment is expected to increase about as fast as

average as the need to service and repair an increasing

number of motor vehicles is offset by improvements in their

reliability.Most new jobs will be in automotive repair shops

and automobile dealer ships as fewer gasoline service

stations provide repair services. Opportunities should be

best for people who complete formal automotive mechanic

training programs.

Diesel mechanics

263,000

64,000

Employment is expected to increase about as fast as

averageas freight transportation by truck increases.

Opportunities should be best for people who complete formal

diesel mechanic training programs.

Electronic equipment repairers

398,000

-4

-15,000

Overall employment is expected to decline due to

improvements in product reliability and ease of service; in

addition, lower prices will cause consumers to purchase new

equipment rather than have old items repaired.

Commercial and industrial electronic equipment repairers

68,000

5,000

Overall employment is expected to grow more slowly than

average. Employment in non defense industries is expected to

grow about as fast as average as firms install more

electronic equipment. Becauseof cuts in the defense budget,

employment is expected to decline significantly in the

Federal Government.

Communications equipment repairers

108,000

-38

-41,000

Employment is expected to decline sharply. Decreased labor

requirements due to improved technology have already caused

layoffs.

Computer and office machine repairers

143,000

43,000

Overall employment is expected to grow faster than average.

Employment of computer repairers is expected to grow much

faster than average as the amount of computer equipment

increases.Employment of other office machine repairers is

expected to grow more slowly than average due to slow growth

in the amount of that equipment.

Electronic home entertainment equipment repairers

39,000

-5

-2,100

Employment is expected to decline. Improvements in

reliability and ease of service should reduce service

requirements, even though more equipment is expected to be in

use. Nevertheless,opportunities should be good because many

repairers transfer to higher paying jobs that also require

knowledge of electronics.

Telephone installers and repairers

40,000

-50

-20,000

Employment is expected to decline significantly due to

technological improvements, such as prewired jacks and

modular telephones. Also, fewer phones will be worth

repairing as prices continue to decline.

Elevator installers and repairers

22,000

3,900

Average growth will occur as the construction of buildings

with elevators and escalator sincreases and as the stock of

equipment needing maintenance grows. In addition, demand will

be spurred by the need to modernize older equipment. Job

prospects will be best for people with post secondary training

in electronics.

Farm equipment mechanics

47,000

6,000

Employment is expected to increase more slowly than average.

Farm land consolidation and more efficient farm practices will

hold down demand, but the tendency of farmers to make fewer

of their own repairs will increase it.Opportunities should

be best for people who complete formal training in farm

equipment repair or diesel mechanics.

General maintenance mechanics

1,145,000

319,000

Faster than average growth is expected as the number of

office and apartment buildings, stores, schools, hospitals,

hotels, and factories increases. Although construction of

these facilities is expectedto slow down, many opportunities

will arise because of the high turnover in this large occupation.

Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration technicians

212,000

62,000

Employment is expected to increase faster than average.

Demand for new residential, commercial, and industrial

climate control systems, as well as the need to maintain

existing systems,should create very favorable job prospects.

Home appliance and power tool repairers

74,000

( )

(9)

Little change in employment is expected as the increasing

number of appliances in use will be offset by their greater

reliability and durability. Job prospects will be best for

people who have a strong background in electronics.

Industrial machinery repairers

477,000

-3

-15,000

Employment is expected to decline as more firms introduce

automated production equipment that requires less maintenance

than existing machines. Because maintenance and repair of

machinery are crucial regardless of the level of production,

industrial machinery repairers generally are less subject to

layoffs than other workers.

Line installers and cable splicers

273,000

-11

-31,000

Overall employment is expected to decline. Employment of

telephone and cable TVline installers and repairers is

expected to decline sharply as the conversion to fiber optics

is completed and as maintenance requirements are reduced.

Employment of electrical power line installers is expected to

grow more slowly than average.

Millwrights

73,000

6,400

Slower than average employment growth is

expected.Millwrights continue to be needed to maintain and

repair existing machinery, to dismantle old machinery, and to

install and maintain new equipment.

Mobile heavy equipment mechanics

96,000

3,900

Employment is expected to grow more slowly than average,

matching the slow growth in the amount of mobile heavy

equipment in operation.Opportunities should be best for

people who complete formal training programs in diesel or

heavy equipment mechanics.

Motorcycle, boat, and small-engine mechanics

46,000

6,900

Overall employment is expected to grow about as fast as

average as rising incomes enable consumers to buy more boats

and outdoor power equipment. Opportunities should be best for

people who complete formal training programs.

Musical instrument repairers and tuners

12,000

1,100

Employment is expected to increase more slowly than average,

even though moderate growth is expected in the number of

professional musicians,because the number of students

playing instruments should grow only slowly.

Vending machine servicers and repairers

20,000

( )

(10)

Little change in employment is expected because an increase

in the number of vending machines in use is offset by the

greater reliability of new equipment.

CONSTRUCTION TRADES AND EXTRACTIVE OCCUPATIONS

Bricklayers and stonemasons

139,000

36,000

Average employment growth is expected as population

and business growth create a need for new factories,

schools,hospitals, offices, and other structures, and as

brick is increasingly used for decorative work and for

building exteriors.

Carpenters

990,000

197,000

Average employment growth is expected in response to demand

for new housing, commercial buildings, and industrial plants

and the need to renovate and modernize existing structures.

The demand for carpenters will be offset somewhat by expected

productivity gains resulting from the increased use of

prefabricated components and better tools.Employment

opportunities should be plentiful.

Carpet installers

62,000

13,000

Average employment growth is expected in response to

the continuing need to renovate and refurbish existing

structures and growing demand for carpet in new industrial

plants,schools, hospitals, and other structures.

Concrete masons and terrazzo workers

100,000

13,000

Despite strong demand for concrete and terrazzo,

productivity gains from improved materials, equipment, and

tools will result in slower than average growth.

Drywall workers and lathers

121,000

44,000

Faster than average employment growth is expected as

the level of new construction and renovation increases. Many

job opportunities will be available because of replacement

needs.

Electricians

518,000

100,000

Average employment growth will stem from the need to install

and maintain electrical devices and wiring in

homes,factories, offices, and other structures. Installation

of the wiring for computers, telecommunications equipment,

and other advanced technologies should also create

job opportunities for electricians.

Glaziers

39,000

12,000

Faster than average employment growth is expected due tothe

increase in new construction, the need to modernize

and repair existing structures, and the increased popularity

of glass as a building material.

Insulation workers

57,000

22,000

Employment is expected to grow much faster than

average,reflecting the demand for insulation for new

construction and renovation, as well as the demand for

asbestos removal inexisting structures. Job opportunities

should be plentiful because growth will be rapid and turnover

is the highest of all construction occupations.

Painters and paperhangers

440,000

128,000

Faster than average employment growth is expected

as construction activity increases and the number of

buildings inneed of repainting grows. Job prospects should

be quite favorable.

Plasterers

32,000

5,200

Employment is expected to grow as fast as average due

to growing appreciation for the durability and attractiveness

of troweled finishes and the need to repair plaster surfaces

in older buildings.

Plumbers and pipefitters

351,000

27,000

Slower than average employment growth will result from rising

productivity because the growing use of plastic pipeand

fittings, more efficient sprinkler systems, and

other labor saving technologies will offset much of the

increasing demand for plumbing services.

Roofers

127,000

28,000

Average employment growth is expected due to increases innew

construction and the need to repair or replace roofs

on existing buildings. Employment will not keep pace

with demand because of productivity increases brought about

by advances in materials, technology, and tools. Because of

high turnover, employment opportunities are expected to

be plentiful.

Roustabouts

33,000

-33

-11,000

Employment is expected to decline as a result of reduced

exploration and falling production in the domestic

oil industry. Opportunities will be very limited.

Sheet-metal workers

91,000

34,000

Employment is expected to grow as fast as average as

more factories, shopping malls, homes, and other structures

using sheet metal are built. Additional job opportunities

will be created as more efficient air-conditioning and

heating systems are installed in existing buildings.

Structural and reinforcing ironworkers

66,000

15,000

Average employment growth is expected due to the rising

levels of industrial and commercial construction, as well as

the rehabilitation and maintenance of an increasing number of

older buildings,factories, power plants, highways and

bridges. Job openings for iron workers are usually more

abundant during the spring and summer, when construction

activity increases.

Tilesetters

30,000

7,400

Rising levels of construction activity and the

increased popularity of tile as a building material should

ensure average employment growth. Job opportunities will not

be as plentiful as in other construction occupations because

the occupation is small and turnover is relatively low.

PRODUCTION OCCUPATIONS

Assemblers

Precision assemblers

334,000

-6

-18,000

Employment is expected to decline, with increasing automation

off setting any increase in employment that would have

occurred due to industrial growth. However,opportunities

depend on the industries in which the jobs are located. For

instance, keen competition is expected for assembly jobs in

the aerospace and electronics manufacturing industry. Other

industries may provide more opportunities.

Blue-collar worker supervisors

1,757,000

217,000

Overall employment is expected to increase more slowly than

average. Job creation varies by industry, with employment

expected to decline slightly in manufacturing and increase in

construction and most other non manufacturing industries.

Food processing occupations

Butchers and meat, poultry, and fish cutters

349,000

11,000

Employment is expected to increase more slowly than average

as meat cutting and processing shift from the store to the

factory. Although consumption of meat, poultry, and fish will

continue to increase, growth of lesser skilled factory

machine cutter jobs will just barely off set the decline of

skilled retail meat cutters.

Inspectors, testers, and graders

625,000

-10

-65,000

Employment is expected to decline. Manufacturers are

increasingly using automated inspection system and assigning

inspection, testing, andgrading duties to production workers

. There may be competition for job openings.

Metalworking and plastics-working occupations

Boilermakers

26,000

-4

-1,100

Employment is expected to decline due to the trend

toward repairing rather than replacing old boilers, the use

of smaller boilers requiring less on-site assembly, the

automation of production technologies, and the increased use

of imported boilers. There may be competition for job

openings.

Jewelers

30,000

5,700

Average growth is expected. Job opportunities for

jewelers depend largely on jewelry sales and on demand for

jewelry repair services. Jewelry sales are expected to remain

strong.Opportunities should be good for graduates from

jeweler training programs. The outlook will be best in

jewelry stores and repair shops; competition is expected for

jobs in jewelry manufacturing.

Machinists and tool programmers

359,000

-1

-3,400

Employment is expected to decline slightly. Nevertheless,

job opportunities will be good because, in recent years,

employers have reported difficulties in attracting workers to

machining and tool programming occupations.

Metalworking and plastics-working machine operators

1,378,000

-3

-43,000

Overall employment is expected to decline, although machine

operators in the plastics industry should fare better than

their counterparts in metal working. Increasing productivity

from automation and growing international competition are

combining to dampen the demand for machine operators.

Workers able to operate a variety of machines, particularly

computer controlled equipment, have the brightest prospects.

Tool and die makers

138,000

-7

-9,400

Employment is expected to decline because of

increased automation and imports of finished goods.

However,jobseekers with appropriate skills should find

excellent opportunities because the number of tool and die

makers receiving training is not expected to be as great as

the number of retiring tool and die makers.

Welders, cutters, and welding machine operators

403,000

30,000

With automated welding systems taking the place of some

workers, employment is expected to increase more slowly than

average. Manualwelders, especially those with a wide variety

of skills, still will be needed for maintenance, repair, and

other work that cannot be automated.

Plant and systems operators

Electric power generating plant operators and power

distributors and dispatchers

43,000

4,200

Employment is expected to grow more slowly than average.

Construction of power plant capacity is expected to be

moderate because of overbuilding in the past. The increasing

use of automatic controls and more efficient equipment should

further offset the need for new plant construction. Keen

competition is expected for jobs.

Stationary engineers

31,000

1,600

Employment is expected to grow more slowly than average

as automated and computerized equipment limits the number

of engineers needed. Job opportunities will be best for those

with apprenticeship training or vocational school courses

incomputerized controls and instrumentation.

Water and wastewater treatment plant operators

86,000

16,000

Employment is expected to grow as fast as average as

population and economic growth spur the construction of new

plants and the expansion ofexisting water and wastewater

treatment services. Job opportunities should be good.

Printing Occupations

Prepress workers

167,000

22,000

Employment is expected to increase more slowly than average.

The increased use of computers in typesetting and page layout

should restrain job growth despite rising demand for printed

materials.

Printing press operators

241,000

47,000

Job growth is expected to be about as fast as average as

needsfor printed materials grow. Employment of offset,

gravure,and flexographic press operators will grow, while

letter press operator jobs will decline.

Bindery workers

76,000

12,000

Employment is expected to increase about as fast as

average in response to the growing volume of printed

materials that must be bound. Needs for lesser skilled

workers will declineas bookbinding machinery becomes more

efficient and complex.

Textile, apparel, and furnishings occupations

Apparel workers

986,000

-19

-183,000

Employment is expected to decline due to increases

in imports, offshore assembly, and automation.

However,replacement needs will result in some job openings.

Shoe and leather workers and repairers

22,000

-20

-4,300

Employment is expected to decline, primarily because

inexpensive imports have made shoe replacement a reasonable

alternative to shoe repair formany.

Textile machinery operators

284,000

-17

-47,000

Employment declines are expected as a result of greater use

of automated machinery and changing business

practices.However, there will still be job opportunities

stemming from the need to replace workers who leave their

jobs.

Upholsterers

60,000

6,700

Employment is expected to increase more slowly than

averageas growth in jobs in furniture manufacturing is

offset somewhat by declining employment in reupholstery

shops. Opportunities for skilled upholsterers should be

good.

Woodworking occupations

341,000

28,000

Employment is expected to grow more slowly than

average,largely reflecting increasing productivity due to

technological advances and stiffer international competition.

Opportunities should be favorable for woodworkers who

specialize in moldings, cabinets, stairs, and windows.

Miscellaneous production occupations

Dental laboratory technicians

48,000

1,500

Little change in employment is expected. The fluoridation

of drinking water and greater emphasis on preventive

dental care since the early 1960's have improved the overall

dental health of the population. Instead of full or partial

dentures,most people will need only a bridge or crown.

Ophthalmic laboratory technicians

19,000

4,100

Average growth is expected in response to rising demand for

corrective lenses and fashionable glasses.

Painting and coating machine operators

151,000

1,800

Little change in overall employment is expected as

technological improvements raise productivity. Employment of

painting and coating machine operators should fall slightly

in manufacturing due to the expanding use of industrial

robots and increase modestly in non manufacturing industries.

Photographic process workers

63,000

13,000

Average growth will stem from the increasing volume of

film to be processed, as long as film remains the mainstay

of photographic processing. Digital cameras have the

potential to displace photographic process machine operators

but are not likely to affect demand for precision

photographic processworkers.

TRANSPORTATION AND MATERIAL MOVING OCCUPATIONS

Busdrivers

562,000

119,000

Overall employment is expected to grow about as fast

as average. Job opportunities will be best for school

bus drivers due to increased enrollments. Local and intercity

bus driving jobs that offer the best working conditions and

the highes tearnings are expected to attract the most

competition.

Material moving equipment operators

983,000

129,000

Employment is expected to grow more slowly than average.

Equipment improvements,including the growing automation of

material handling infactories and warehouses, are expected

to restrain the growthof this occupation. However, many job

opportunities will arise from the need to replace the many

experienced workers who leave this large occupation each

year.

Rail transportation workers

116,000

25,000

Overall employment is expected to grow about as fast

as average as an increase in freight shipped by railroad is

offset by more efficient operations and labor-saving

innovations.Employment of subway and street car operators

should grow much faster than average due to the rapid

expansion of urban rail systems.

Taxidriver and chauffeurs

120,000

22,000

Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average

as local and urban travel increases. Competition is expected

for jobs that offer the highest earnings or best

working conditions.

Truckdrivers

2,720,000

708,000

Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average.

Job opportunities in this large occupation should be

plentiful because of the growing demand for truck

transportation services and the need to replace drivers who

leave the occupation. However, competition is expected for

jobs that offer the highest earnings or best working

conditions.

Water transportation occupations

54,000

-5

-2,500

Employment is expected to decline due to foreign competition

and technological innovations that allow fewer workers to

operate a vessel.

Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers

4,451,000

776,000

Average growth is expected overall, reflecting growth of the

industries that employ these workers and rising employment of

the skilled workers whom they assist. Projected growth varies

widely by occupation. While the employment of service station

attendants will decline, that of parking lot attendants will

grow faster than average.Overall job openings should be

numerous because this occupational group is very large and

turnover is relatively high.

THE ARMED FORCES

1,808,000( )

-14

-254,000

Diminishing threats to U.S. security have led to reductions

inmilitary forces. Further reductions are planned through

1997,after which the level of military forces should

remain relatively constant. In spite of this, job

opportunities should be good in all branches of the Armed

Forces because people of prime recruiting age will account

for a smaller share of the total population than in the past.

Opportunities for enlisted personnel are very limited for

those without a high school diploma. Competition for officer

positions has always been keen and will continue to be so.

Talking Consumer Know-How Reports 2003 Edition

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

The 1995-2005 Job Outlook in Brief

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