Occupational employment projections to 2008

Abstract

Total employment is projected to increase by 20.3 million jobs over the 1998–2008 period, rising from 140.5 million to 160.8 million, according to the latest projections of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (See box on page 4 in the article by Charles Bowman.) The projected 14.4-percent change in employment is less than the 17.1-percent increase attained during the previous 10-year period, 1988-98, when the economy added 20.5 million jobs. The economy will continue generating jobs for workers at all levels of education and training, although growth rates are projected to be faster, on average, for occupations requiring at least an associate degree than for occupations requiring less training. However, most job growth will be in occupations requiring less formal education or training, even though many of these occupations are projected to have below-average growth rates. There also will be numerous job openings resulting from the need to replace workers who leave the labor force or move to other occupations. This article discusses the projected changes in the structure of employment at the major occupational group level for the 1998–2008 period, along with the changes that occurred in the previous 10year period, 1988–98. It also identifies the detailed occupations that are projected to grow at the fastest rate, as well as those with the largest numerical increases and decreases, along with their current educational and training requirements and earnings. Also discussed is the total number of job openings projected to occur due to growth in the economy and the net replacement needs resulting from workers who leave the labor force or transfer to other occupations. The article concludes with a discussion of the distribution of employment in 1998 and projected 1998–2008 job openings by levels of education and training.