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October 2010, Vol. 133, No. 10 | Return to article

Disability and occupational projections

Table 13. Occupations with greatest job growth and in which specific abilities are of low importance or no importance, 2008 and 2018 (projected)(1)
[Numbers in thousands]
Ability and occupation Total employment Change,
2008–18		 Job openings due to growth and net replacement, 2008–18 Median annual earnings, 2008 Earnings quartile,(2) 2008 Education and training level
2008.0 2018.0 Number Percent

Cognitive abilities

                

Verbal abilities:

                

1.A.1.a.1 Oral comprehension(3)

                

51-6021 Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials

 66.6 61.1 −5.5 −8.2 2.9 $19,040 VL Short-term on-the-job training

1.A.1.a.2 Written comprehension(3)

                

35-3021 Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food

 2701.7 3096.0 394.3 14.6 967.2 16,430 VL Short-term on-the-job training

37-2011 Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners

 2375.3 2479.4 104.1 4.4 553.0 21,450 VL Short-term on-the-job training

37-2012 Maids and housekeeping cleaners

 1498.2 1583.7 85.6 5.7 354.4 18,990 VL Short-term on-the-job training

1.A.1.a.3 Oral expression(3)

                

51-6021 Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials

 66.6 61.1 −5.5 −8.2 2.9 19,040 VL Short-term on-the-job training

1.A.1.a.4 Written expression

                

47-3015 Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

 80.3 100.9 20.6 25.6 37.3 26,480 L Short-term on-the-job training

53-7061 Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

 348.9 352.5 3.6 1.0 127.7 19,450 VL Short-term on-the-job training

Idea generation and reasoning abilities:

                

1.A.1.b.1 Fluency of ideas

                

35-3021 Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food

 2701.7 3096.0 394.3 14.6 967.2 16,430 VL Short-term on-the-job training

51-3092 Food batchmakers

 100.5 109.2 8.8 8.7 32.9 24,170 L Short-term on-the-job training

33-9091 Crossing guards

 69.9 76.5 6.6 9.4 25.6 22,790 L Short-term on-the-job training

1.A.1.b.2 Originality

                

35-3021 Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food

 2701.7 3096.0 394.3 14.6 967.2 16,430 VL Short-term on-the-job training

35-3022 Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop

 525.4 574.4 49.0 9.3 434.9 17,520 VL Short-term on-the-job training

51-3092 Food batchmakers

 100.5 109.2 8.8 8.7 32.9 24,170 L Short-term on-the-job training

1.A.1.b.3 Problem sensitivity(3)

                

41-9012 Models

 2.2 2.6 0.4 16.0 1.0 27,410 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

1.A.1.b.4 Deductive reasoning(3)

                

37-2012 Maids and housekeeping cleaners

 1498.2 1583.7 85.6 5.7 354.4 18,990 VL Short-term on-the-job training

35-9021 Dishwashers

 522.9 583.4 60.4 11.6 275.7 17,040 VL Short-term on-the-job training

41-9012 Models

 2.2 2.6 0.4 16.0 1.0 27,410 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

1.A.1.b.5 Inductive reasoning(3)

                

35-3021 Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food

 2701.7 3096.0 394.3 14.6 967.2 16,430 VL Short-term on-the-job training

35-3031 Waiters and waitresses

 2381.6 2533.3 151.6 6.4 1466.2 16,660 VL Short-term on-the-job training

35-9021 Dishwashers

 522.9 583.4 60.4 11.6 275.7 17,040 VL Short-term on-the-job training

1.A.1.b.6 Information ordering(3)

                

37-2012 Maids and housekeeping cleaners

 1498.2 1583.7 85.6 5.7 354.4 18,990 VL Short-term on-the-job training

39-3091 Amusement and recreation attendants

 263.0 298.0 35.0 13.3 171.2 17,470 VL Short-term on-the-job training

35-3041 Food servers, nonrestaurant

 189.8 209.1 19.3 10.2 51.8 19,380 VL Short-term on-the-job training

1.A.1.b.7 Category flexibility(3)

                

35-3021 Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food

 2701.7 3096.0 394.3 14.6 967.2 16,430 VL Short-term on-the-job training

33-9032 Security guards

 1076.6 1229.1 152.5 14.2 373.9 23,460 L Short-term on-the-job training

35-3031 Waiters and waitresses

 2381.6 2533.3 151.6 6.4 1466.2 16,660 VL Short-term on-the-job training

Quantitative abilities:

                

1.A.1.c.1 Mathematical reasoning

                

39-9021 Personal and home care aides

 817.2 1193.0 375.8 46.0 477.8 19,180 VL Short-term on-the-job training

47-2061 Construction laborers

 1248.7 1504.6 255.9 20.5 339.4 28,520 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

33-9032 Security guards

 1076.6 1229.1 152.5 14.2 373.9 23,460 L Short-term on-the-job training

1.A.1.c.2 Number facility

                

47-2061 Construction laborers

 1248.7 1504.6 255.9 20.5 339.4 28,520 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

33-9032 Security guards

 1076.6 1229.1 152.5 14.2 373.9 23,460 L Short-term on-the-job training

49-9042 Maintenance and repair workers, general

 1361.3 1509.2 147.9 10.9 357.5 33,710 H Moderate-term on-the-job training

Memory:

                

1.A.1.d.1 Memorization

                

37-2011 Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners

 2375.3 2479.4 104.1 4.4 553.0 21,450 VL Short-term on-the-job training

37-2012 Maids and housekeeping cleaners

 1498.2 1583.7 85.6 5.7 354.4 18,990 VL Short-term on-the-job training

47-2141 Painters, construction and maintenance

 442.8 473.6 30.9 7.0 106.5 32,960 H Moderate-term on-the-job training

Perceptual abilities:

                

1.A.1.e.1 Speed of closure

                

37-2012 Maids and housekeeping cleaners

 1498.2 1583.7 85.6 5.7 354.4 18,990 VL Short-term on-the-job training

35-3022 Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop

 525.4 574.4 49.0 9.3 434.9 17,520 VL Short-term on-the-job training

35-2011 Cooks, fast food

 566.0 608.4 42.4 7.5 187.2 16,880 VL Short-term on-the-job training

1.A.1.e.2 Flexibility of closure

                

35-3021 Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food

 2701.7 3096.0 394.3 14.6 967.2 16,430 VL Short-term on-the-job training

35-3031 Waiters and waitresses

 2381.6 2533.3 151.6 6.4 1466.2 16,660 VL Short-term on-the-job training

35-3022 Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop

 525.4 574.4 49.0 9.3 434.9 17,520 VL Short-term on-the-job training

1.A.1.e.3 Perceptual speed

                

35-3021 Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food

 2701.7 3096.0 394.3 14.6 967.2 16,430 VL Short-term on-the-job training

35-3031 Waiters and waitresses

 2381.6 2533.3 151.6 6.4 1466.2 16,660 VL Short-term on-the-job training

35-3022 Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop

 525.4 574.4 49.0 9.3 434.9 17,520 VL Short-term on-the-job training

Spatial abilities:

                

1.A.1.f.1 Spatial orientation

                

29-1111 Registered nurses

 2618.7 3200.2 581.5 22.2 1039.0 62,450 VH Associate's degree

43-4051 Customer service representatives

 2252.4 2651.9 399.5 17.7 1108.4 29,860 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

39-9021 Personal and home care aides

 817.2 1193.0 375.8 46.0 477.8 19,180 VL Short-term on-the-job training

1.A.1.f.2 Visualization

                

21-1012 Educational, vocational, and school counselors

 275.8 314.4 38.6 14.0 94.4 51,050 H Master's degree

13-2072 Loan officers

 327.8 360.9 33.0 10.1 68.8 54,700 VH Moderate-term on-the-job training

21-1011 Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors

 86.1 104.2 18.1 21.0 35.5 37,030 H Bachelor's degree

Attentiveness:

                

1.A.1.g.1 Selective attention(3)

                

37-2011 Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners

 2375.3 2479.4 104.1 4.4 553.0 21,450 VL Short-term on-the-job training

35-9021 Dishwashers

 522.9 583.4 60.4 11.6 275.7 17,040 VL Short-term on-the-job training

21-1012 Educational, vocational, and school counselors

 275.8 314.4 38.6 14.0 94.4 51,050 H Master's degree

1.A.1.g.2 Time sharing

                

31-9093 Medical equipment preparers

 46.8 52.8 6.0 12.8 11.2 28,410 L Short-term on-the-job training

23-2092 Law clerks

 37.7 42.9 5.2 13.9 10.8 37,130 H Bachelor's degree

45-2041 Graders and sorters, agricultural products

 33.4 33.5 0.1 0.2 6.9 18,850 VL Work experience in a related occupation

Psychomotor abilities

                

Fine manipulative abilities:

                

1.A.2.a.1 Arm-hand steadiness

                

13-2011 Accountants and auditors

 1290.6 1570.0 279.4 21.6 497.5 59,430 VH Bachelor's degree

25-1000 Postsecondary teachers

 1699.2 1956.1 256.9 15.1 552.9 58,830 VH Doctoral degree

43-6011 Executive secretaries and administrative assistants

 1594.4 1798.8 204.4 12.8 419.2 40,030 H Work experience in a related occupation

1.A.2.a.2 Manual dexterity

                

13-2011 Accountants and auditors

 1290.6 1570.0 279.4 21.6 497.5 59,430 VH Bachelor's degree

25-1000 Postsecondary teachers

 1699.2 1956.1 256.9 15.1 552.9 58,830 VH Doctoral degree

25-2021 Elementary school teachers, except special education

 1549.5 1793.7 244.2 15.8 596.5 49,330 H Bachelor's degree

1.A.2.a.3 Finger dexterity

                

43-6014 Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive

 2020.0 2113.3 93.3 4.6 365.5 29,050 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

35-3022 Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop

 525.4 574.4 49.0 9.3 434.9 17,520 VL Short-term on-the-job training

13-1023 Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products

 295.2 336.1 40.9 13.9 118.6 53,940 VH Long-term on-the-job training

Control movement abilities:

                

1.A.2.b.1 Control precision

                

13-2011 Accountants and auditors

 1290.6 1570.0 279.4 21.6 497.5 59,430 VH Bachelor's degree

25-1000 Postsecondary teachers

 1699.2 1956.1 256.9 15.1 552.9 58,830 VH Doctoral degree

25-2021 Elementary school teachers, except special education

 1549.5 1793.7 244.2 15.8 596.5 49,330 H Bachelor's degree

1.A.2.b.2 Multilimb coordination

                

43-4051 Customer service representatives

 2252.4 2651.9 399.5 17.7 1108.4 29,860 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

43-9061 Office clerks, general

 3024.4 3383.1 358.7 11.9 770.9 25,320 L Short-term on-the-job training

13-2011 Accountants and auditors

 1290.6 1570.0 279.4 21.6 497.5 59,430 VH Bachelor's degree

1.A.2.b.3 Response orientation

                

43-4051 Customer service representatives

 2252.4 2651.9 399.5 17.7 1108.4 29,860 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

35-3021 Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food

 2701.7 3096.0 394.3 14.6 967.2 16,430 VL Short-term on-the-job training

41-2031 Retail salespersons

 4489.2 4863.9 374.7 8.4 1626.9 20,510 VL Short-term on-the-job training

1.A.2.b.4 Rate control

                

43-4051 Customer service representatives

 2252.4 2651.9 399.5 17.7 1108.4 29,860 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

35-3021 Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food

 2701.7 3096.0 394.3 14.6 967.2 16,430 VL Short-term on-the-job training

39-9021 Personal and home care aides

 817.2 1193.0 375.8 46.0 477.8 19,180 VL Short-term on-the-job training

Reaction time and speed abilities:

                

1.A.2.c.1 Reaction time

                

43-4051 Customer service representatives

 2252.4 2651.9 399.5 17.7 1108.4 29,860 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

41-2031 Retail salespersons

 4489.2 4863.9 374.7 8.4 1626.9 20,510 VL Short-term on-the-job training

43-9061 Office clerks, general

 3024.4 3383.1 358.7 11.9 770.9 25,320 L Short-term on-the-job training

1.A.2.c.2 Wrist-finger speed

                

31-1011 Home health aides

 921.7 1382.6 460.9 50.0 552.7 20,460 VL Short-term on-the-job training

43-4051 Customer service representatives

 2252.4 2651.9 399.5 17.7 1108.4 29,860 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

39-9021 Personal and home care aides

 817.2 1193.0 375.8 46.0 477.8 19,180 VL Short-term on-the-job training

1.A.2.c.3 Speed of limb movement

                

43-4051 Customer service representatives

 2252.4 2651.9 399.5 17.7 1108.4 29,860 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

39-9021 Personal and home care aides

 817.2 1193.0 375.8 46.0 477.8 19,180 VL Short-term on-the-job training

43-9061 Office clerks, general

 3024.4 3383.1 358.7 11.9 770.9 25,320 L Short-term on-the-job training

Physical abilities

                

Physical strength abilities:

                

1.A.3.a.1 Static strength

                

43-4051 Customer service representatives

 2252.4 2651.9 399.5 17.7 1108.4 29,860 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

43-9061 Office clerks, general

 3024.4 3383.1 358.7 11.9 770.9 25,320 L Short-term on-the-job training

13-2011 Accountants and auditors

 1290.6 1570.0 279.4 21.6 497.5 59,430 VH Bachelor's degree

1.A.3.a.2 Explosive strength

                

43-4051 Customer service representatives

 2252.4 2651.9 399.5 17.7 1108.4 29,860 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

35-3021 Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food

 2701.7 3096.0 394.3 14.6 967.2 16,430 VL Short-term on-the-job training

39-9021 Personal and home care aides

 817.2 1193.0 375.8 46.0 477.8 19,180 VL Short-term on-the-job training

1.A.3.a.3 Dynamic strength

                

43-4051 Customer service representatives

 2252.4 2651.9 399.5 17.7 1108.4 29,860 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

43-9061 Office clerks, general

 3024.4 3383.1 358.7 11.9 770.9 25,320 L Short-term on-the-job training

13-2011 Accountants and auditors

 1290.6 1570.0 279.4 21.6 497.5 59,430 VH Bachelor's degree

1.A.3.a.4 Trunk strength

                

43-4051 Customer service representatives

 2252.4 2651.9 399.5 17.7 1108.4 29,860 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

13-2011 Accountants and auditors

 1290.6 1570.0 279.4 21.6 497.5 59,430 VH Bachelor's degree

43-3031 Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks

 2063.8 2276.2 212.4 10.3 460.4 32,510 H Moderate-term on-the-job training

Endurance:

                

1.A.3.b.1 Stamina

                

43-4051 Customer service representatives

 2252.4 2651.9 399.5 17.7 1108.4 29,860 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

43-9061 Office clerks, general

 3024.4 3383.1 358.7 11.9 770.9 25,320 L Short-term on-the-job training

13-2011 Accountants and auditors

 1290.6 1570.0 279.4 21.6 497.5 59,430 VH Bachelor's degree

Flexibility, balance, and coordination:

                

1.A.3.c.1 Extent flexibility

                

43-4051 Customer service representatives

 2252.4 2651.9 399.5 17.7 1108.4 29,860 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

43-9061 Office clerks, general

 3024.4 3383.1 358.7 11.9 770.9 25,320 L Short-term on-the-job training

13-2011 Accountants and auditors

 1290.6 1570.0 279.4 21.6 497.5 59,430 VH Bachelor's degree

1.A.3.c.2 Dynamic flexibility

                

29-1111 Registered nurses

 2618.7 3200.2 581.5 22.2 1039.0 62,450 VH Associate degree

31-1011 Home health aides

 921.7 1382.6 460.9 50.0 552.7 20,460 VL Short-term on-the-job training

43-4051 Customer service representatives

 2252.4 2651.9 399.5 17.7 1108.4 29,860 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

1.A.3.c.3 Gross body coordination

                

43-4051 Customer service representatives

 2252.4 2651.9 399.5 17.7 1108.4 29,860 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

43-9061 Office clerks, general

 3024.4 3383.1 358.7 11.9 770.9 25,320 L Short-term on-the-job training

13-2011 Accountants and auditors

 1290.6 1570.0 279.4 21.6 497.5 59,430 VH Bachelor's degree

1.A.3.c.4 Gross body equilibrium

                

43-4051 Customer service representatives

 2252.4 2651.9 399.5 17.7 1108.4 29,860 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

35-3021 Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food

 2701.7 3096.0 394.3 14.6 967.2 16,430 VL Short-term on-the-job training

43-9061 Office clerks, general

 3024.4 3383.1 358.7 11.9 770.9 25,320 L Short-term on-the-job training

Sensory abilities

                

Visual abilities:

                

1.A.4.a.1 Near vision(3)

                

41-9012 Models

 2.2 2.6 0.4 16.0 1.0 27,410 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

1.A.4.a.2 Far vision

                

43-6014 Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive

 2020.0 2113.3 93.3 4.6 365.5 29,050 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

35-2014 Cooks, restaurant

 914.2 984.4 70.3 7.7 304.2 21,990 L Long-term on-the-job training

13-1023 Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products

 295.2 336.1 40.9 13.9 118.6 53,940 VH Long-term on-the-job training

1.A.4.a.3 Visual color discrimination

                

35-3021 Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food

 2701.7 3096.0 394.3 14.6 967.2 16,430 VL Short-term on-the-job training

43-4171 Receptionists and information clerks

 1139.2 1312.1 172.9 15.2 480.2 24,550 L Short-term on-the-job training

35-3031 Waiters and waitresses

 2381.6 2533.3 151.6 6.4 1466.2 16,660 VL Short-term on-the-job training

1.A.4.a.4 Night vision

                

29-1111 Registered nurses

 2618.7 3200.2 581.5 22.2 1039.0 62,450 VH Associate's degree

43-4051 Customer service representatives

 2252.4 2651.9 399.5 17.7 1108.4 29,860 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

35-3021 Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food

 2701.7 3096.0 394.3 14.6 967.2 16,430 VL Short-term on-the-job training

1.A.4.a.5 Peripheral vision

                

29-1111 Registered nurses

 2618.7 3200.2 581.5 22.2 1039.0 62,450 VH Associate's degree

43-4051 Customer service representatives

 2252.4 2651.9 399.5 17.7 1108.4 29,860 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

35-3021 Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food

 2701.7 3096.0 394.3 14.6 967.2 16,430 VL Short-term on-the-job training

1.A.4.a.6 Depth perception

                

43-4051 Customer service representatives

 2252.4 2651.9 399.5 17.7 1108.4 29,860 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

43-9061 Office clerks, general

 3024.4 3383.1 358.7 11.9 770.9 25,320 L Short-term on-the-job training

25-1000 Postsecondary teachers

 1699.2 1956.1 256.9 15.1 552.9 58,830 VH Doctoral degree

1.A.4.a.7 Glare sensitivity

                

29-1111 Registered nurses

 2618.7 3200.2 581.5 22.2 1039.0 62,450 VH Associate's degree

43-4051 Customer service representatives

 2252.4 2651.9 399.5 17.7 1108.4 29,860 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

35-3021 Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food

 2701.7 3096.0 394.3 14.6 967.2 16,430 VL Short-term on-the-job training

Auditory and speech abilities:

                

1.A.4.b.1 Hearing sensitivity

                

35-3021 Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food

 2701.7 3096.0 394.3 14.6 967.2 16,430 VL Short-term on-the-job training

35-3031 Waiters and waitresses

 2381.6 2533.3 151.6 6.4 1466.2 16,660 VL Short-term on-the-job training

43-5081 Stock clerks and order fillers

 1858.8 1993.3 134.4 7.2 562.6 20,800 VL Short-term on-the-job training

1.A.4.b.2 Auditory attention

                

43-4171 Receptionists and information clerks

 1139.2 1312.1 172.9 15.2 480.2 24,550 L Short-term on-the-job training

43-3021 Billing and posting clerks and machine operators

 528.8 609.6 80.8 15.3 167.6 30,950 L Short-term on-the-job training

13-1023 Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products

 295.2 336.1 40.9 13.9 118.6 53,940 VH Long-term on-the-job training

1.A.4.b.3 Sound localization

                

29-1111 Registered nurses

 2618.7 3200.2 581.5 22.2 1039.0 62,450 VH Associate's degree

43-4051 Customer service representatives

 2252.4 2651.9 399.5 17.7 1108.4 29,860 L Moderate-term on-the-job training

35-3021 Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food

 2701.7 3096.0 394.3 14.6 967.2 16,430 VL Short-term on-the-job training

1.A.4.b.4 Speech recognition(3)

                

15-2091 Mathematical technicians

 1.2 1.3 0.1 8.5 0.5 38,400 H Associate's degree

51-6021 Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials

 66.6 61.1 −5.5 −8.2 2.9 19,040 VL Short-term on-the-job training

1.A.4.b.5 Speech clarity(3)

                

47-2021 Brickmasons and blockmasons

 135.8 151.5 15.6 11.5 50.0 45,630 H Long-term on-the-job training

53-7061 Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

 348.9 352.5 3.6 1.0 127.7 19,450 VL Short-term on-the-job training

51-6021 Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials

 66.6 61.1 −5.5 −8.2 2.9 19,040 VL Short-term on-the-job training

Footnotes:
(1) For each ability, the table presents the top three occupations in job growth in which the ability has no importance or low importance.
(2) Key: H = high, L = low, VH = very high, VL = very low.
(3) No occupations had this ability rated with no importance or low importance, so the occupations listed are ones in which only a low level of ability has some importance.

NOTE: Outline-form numbers are from O*Net; only one or two occupations are listed when fewer than three occupations met the criteria.
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