Technical Information: (202) 691-5700 USDL 00-35 Media Contact: (202) 691-5902 For release: 10 A.M. EST February 7, 2000 Internet: http://stats.bls.gov/ocohome.htm 2000-01 EDITION OF THE OCCUPATIONAL OUTLOOK HANDBOOK PUBLISHED The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, has been the Federal Government's premier career guidance publication for more than 50 years. The Handbook provides comprehensive, up-to-date, and reliable labor market information that has helped millions of Americans plan their future work lives. The 2000-01 edition of the Handbook will help guide workers into the new century, presenting essential information about prospective changes in the workplace and the qualifications that will be needed by tomorrow's workforce. The Occupational Outlook Handbook provides detailed information on over 250 occupations. The Handbook discusses the nature of the work and the typicalworking conditions for persons in each occupation. In addition, it gives details on the requirements for entry and the opportunities for advancement. This information may be helpful in making career decisions that utilize one's education and training. Each occupational statement discusses projected job growth relative to the entire economy over the next decade and, in some cases, the ease or difficulty of finding a job. Users also will find current information on earnings, employment of salaried and self-employed workers, related occupations, and sources of additional information. Each statement begins with a section on significant points that highlights key occupational characteristics. Various factors affect the need for specific occupations. A growing, aging, and increasingly diverse population will demand a changing mix of goods and services. The skills of the workforce needed to fulfill these demands will likewise continue to change, as employers incorporate technological innovations and revise business practices to optimize their efficiency. Total employment is expected to increase by 20.3 million jobs over the 1998-2008 period, a 14 percent increase. Occupations that require more education and training generally are projected to grow the fastest. Table 1 lists the 30 fastest growing occupations; most require an associate or higher degree, and computer and health occupations comprise 2 out of 3. The largest occupations generally generate the most new jobs. Table 2 lists the 30 occupations with the largest projected job growth. Sixteen of these occupations are among those requiring the least amount of training-short-term on-the-job training-and account for over one-fourth of all new jobs expected to be created between 1998 and 2008. Although the Occupational Outlook Handbook targets junior and senior high school students, it also can assist college students and experienced workers, including those seeking to change careers or re-enter the labor force. All successful workers need to make informed decisions and react quickly in an economy impacted by global competition, technological innovation, and shifts in occupational structure. The Occupational Outlook Handbook provides information that reflects the needs of the present as well as the future labor force. More detailed information on the 1998-2008 projections appears in five articles in the November 1999 Monthly Labor Review. A graphic presentation of the highlights of the projections is featured in the Winter 1999-2000 Occupational Outlook Quarterly. Ordering Copies Copies of the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2000-01 Edition (Bulletin 2520) can be purchased from the BLS Publications Sales Center, P.O. Box 2145, Chicago, IL 60690-2145, phone (312) 353-1880, or the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, phone (202) 512-1800. The 2000-01 edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook with a soft cover costs $49; a hard cover version costs $51. Payment can be made by VISA, MasterCard, GPO Account, or check or money order. Make checks payable to the Superintendent of Documents. The Monthly Labor Review is sold by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. The Quarterly is sold by the Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The Review costs $31 a year; single copies are $10. The Quarterly costs $9.50 a year; single copies are $4.00. Make checks payable to the Superintendent of Documents. The Handbook is available on the Bureau's Office of Employment Projections Internet site: http://stats.bls.gov/emphome.htm. The Monthly Labor Review also is accessible on the Internet: http://stats.bls.gov/opub/mlr/mlrhome.htm. Information from this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-606-5886, TDD Message Referral Phone Number: 1-800-877-8339. Table 1. Fastest growing occupations covered in the 2000-01 Occupational Outlook Handbook, 1998-2008 (Numbers in thousands of jobs) Employment change, Occupation 1998-2008 Most significant source of training Number Percent Computer engineers 323 108 Bachelor's degree Computer support specialists 439 102 Associate degree Systems analysts 577 94 Bachelor's degree Database administrators 67 77 Bachelor's degree Desktop publishing specialists 19 73 Long-term on-the-job training Paralegals and legal assistants 84 62 Associate degree Medical assistants 146 58 Moderate-term on-the-job training Personal care and home health aides 433 58 Short-term on-the-job training Social and human service assistants 141 53 Moderate-term on-the-job training Physician assistants 32 48 Bachelor's degree Data processing equipment repairers 37 47 Postsecondary vocational training Residential counselors 88 46 Bachelor's degree Electronic semiconductor processors 29 45 Moderate-term on-the-job training Engineering, natural science, and computer and information systems managers 142 44 Work experience, plus degree Physical therapy assistants and aides 36 44 Associate degree Medical records and health information technicians 41 44 Associate degree Respiratory therapists 37 43 Associate degree Surgical technologists 23 42 Postsecondary vocational training Dental assistants 97 42 Moderate-term on-the-job training Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents 124 41 Bachelor's degree Dental hygienists 58 41 Associate degree Occupational therapy assistants and aides 7 40 Associate degree Speech-language pathologists and audiologists 40 39 Master's degree Cardiovascular technologists and technicians 8 39 Associate degree Correctional officers 148 39 Long-term on-the-job training Social workers 218 36 Bachelor's degree Biological scientists 28 35 Doctor's degree Ambulance drivers and attendants, except EMTs 7 35 Short-term on-the-job training Bill and account collectors 110 35 Short-term on-the-job training Physical therapists 41 34 Master's degree Table 2. Occupations covered in the 2000-01 Occupational Outlook Handbook with the largest projected job growth, 1998-2008 (Numbers in thousands of jobs) Employment change, Occupation 1998-2008 Most significant source of training Number Percent Systems analysts 577 94 Bachelor's degree Retail salespersons 563 14 Short-term on-the-job training Cashiers 556 17 Short-term on-the-job training General managers and top executives 551 16 Work experience, plus degree Truck drivers light and heavy 493 17 Short-term on-the-job training Office clerks, general 463 15 Short-term on-the-job training Registered nurses 451 22 Associate degree Computer support specialists 439 102 Associate degree Personal care and home health aides 433 58 Short-term on-the-job training Teacher assistants 375 32 Short-term on-the-job training Janitors and cleaners, including maids and housekeeping cleaners 365 12 Short-term on-the-job training Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants 325 24 Short-term on-the-job training Computer engineers 323 108 Bachelor's degree Teachers, secondary school 322 23 Bachelor's degree Office and administrative support supervisors and managers 313 19 Work experience in a related occupation Receptionists and information clerks 305 24 Short-term on-the-job training Waiters and waitresses 303 15 Short-term on-the-job training Guards 294 29 Short-term on-the-job training Marketing and sales worker supervisors 263 10 Work experience in a related occupation Food counter, fountain, and related workers 247 12 Short-term on-the-job training Child care workers 236 26 Short-term on-the-job training Laborers, landscaping and groundskeeping 234 21 Short-term on-the-job training Social workers 218 36 Bachelor's degree Hand packers and packagers 213 22 Short-term on-the-job training Teachers, elementary school 205 12 Bachelor's degree Blue-collar worker supervisors 196 9 Work experience in a related occupation College and university faculty 195 23 Doctor's degree Computer programmers 191 30 Bachelor's degree Adjustment clerks 163 34 Short-term on-the-job training Correctional officers 148 39 Long-term on-the-job training