Winter 2011-12 Vol. 55, Number 4

Occupational employment

When choosing a career, jobseekers often want to know which occupations offer the best prospects. Generally, occupations that have rapid job growth, many new jobs, or many job openings—and good wages—promise better opportunities.

This section shows how employment in particular occupations is projected to change from 2010 to 2020. Many of the charts in this section show which occupations or occupational groups are expected to grow fastest (highest percent growth) or gain the most jobs (highest numeric growth).

Between 2010 and 2020, overall employment is projected to grow by about 14 percent. This rate is shown as a dotted vertical line in the chart on page 11.

But when it comes to employment prospects, job growth tells only part of the story. Job openings for workers also come from the need to replace workers who retire or permanently leave an occupation for other reasons. Some charts show which occupations are expected to have the most openings for workers who are entering the occupation. These charts show projected openings both from job growth and from replacement needs (the need to replace workers who leave).