Careers with options:

Occupations with jobs 

in many industries
16 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Spring 2014 • www.bls.gov/ooq

Looking for a career with options? 

Consider an occupation with jobs in 

many industries.

Workers in some occupations spend most 

of their careers in just one industry. Teachers, 

for example, often work only in schools.

But in other occupations, workers have 

more flexibility to change industries. This 

career mobility is common for workers 

whose skills are needed in many settings. 

For example, network and computer systems 

administrators have technical skills that are 

sought after in more than 200 industries.

This article uses data from the U.S. 

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to show 

selected occupations with considerable career 

mobility. It describes widely distributed 

occupations in four groups: business and 

financial operations, computer and mathematics, management, and office and administrative support. Each section includes details 

about the occupations and their industries of 

employment. Sources for more information 

are at the end.

Occupations, industries, 

and mobility

As discussed in this article, career mobility may depend on the number of industries 

that have jobs for a particular occupation. 

But what’s the difference between an occupation and an industry—and how might they fit 

together to affect career mobility? 

An occupation groups jobs based on the 

tasks that workers do. For example, jobs for 

workers who make structures out of wood are 

classified under the occupation of carpenter.

An industry groups businesses based on 

the type of product the business makes or on 

the service it provides. For example, the residential building construction industry consists 

of businesses that make homes.

Occupational employment may be concentrated in just a few industries or dispersed among many, but workers in almost 

every occupation have at least some ability 

to change industries. For example, although 

nearly half of all jobs for carpenters are in 

residential or nonresidential building construction, smaller numbers of these jobs are 

in other industries, including ship and boat 

building; home furnishings stores; and highway, bridge, and street construction.

The more widely an occupation has jobs 

in a variety of industries, the more mobile it 

may be. So, in contrast to carpenters, whose 

jobs are in relatively few industries, jobs in 

the occupations highlighted in this article are 

spread out across hundreds of diverse industries. Workers in these occupations may have 

Elka Torpey 

and 

Audrey Watson

Elka Torpey and 

Audrey Watson 

are economists in 

the Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, 

BLS. They can be 

reached at torpey.

elka@bls.gov or 

watson.audrey@

bls.gov.
17 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Spring 2014 • www.bls.gov/ooq

more mobility and more choices about the 

type of employer they work for. 

The ability to change industries gives 

workers an opportunity for varied employment. An occupation’s specifics may differ 

from one industry to another. (See box.) 

Occupations with options

Many types of employers require workers with 

knowledge of business and financial operations, computers and mathematics, management, and office and administrative support. 

Workers in these four groups may have job 

options in a wide range of industries.

The tables accompanying each of the 

sections highlight occupations that may offer 

mobility and their May 2013 employment and 

median annual wages, according to BLS. The 

data in the tables do not include self-employed 

workers. Annual wages show the median for 

all workers in the occupation—meaning that 

half of all workers in the occupation earned 

more than that amount, and half earned less. 

Compare wages with the median annual wage 

for all workers: $35,080 in May 2013.

The accompanying text discusses the 

occupational groups generally and has additional detail about the three occupations in 

each table that had the largest numbers of 

jobs. These details include job descriptions, 

Which industry you choose to work in can 

affect details such as work schedules, wages, 

benefits, job availability, and job outlook.

Work schedules. The days and times you 

work might vary from one industry to another. 

Jobs in schools, for example, usually involve 

daytime work 10 months of the year. Jobs in 

hospitals offer both daytime and nighttime 

shifts, year round.

Wages. As noted in this article, some 

industries pay better than others for the same 

occupation. An example is meeting, convention, and event planners. BLS data show that 

in May 2013, these workers in management, 

scientific, technical, and consulting services 

had a median annual wage of $56,500, while 

those who worked in restaurants and other 

eating places had a median annual wage of 

$38,060.

Benefits. The availability of health insurance, retirement plans, and other employerprovided benefits vary by industry. In manufacturing, employers paid an average of $12.19 

per hour worked toward employee benefits in 

December 2013, according to BLS. In leisure 

and hospitality, where fewer workers receive 

employer-provided benefits, employer contributions averaged $2.76.

Job availability. When looking for jobs, 

you’re more likely to find openings in larger 

industries than in smaller ones. Retail trade, 

for example, had about 15 million jobs in May 

2013, according to BLS data. Utilities—a 

much smaller industry—had about 540,000 

jobs.

Similarly, jobs in some industries are concentrated in certain geographic areas, while 

others are more widespread. For example, 

Washington, DC, has a high concentration of 

federal government jobs. By comparison, jobs 

in local government are available throughout 

the United States.

Job outlook. Employment projections 

vary by industry. Over the 2012–22 decade, 

for example, BLS projects healthcare and 

social assistance and professional and business services to add the most new jobs of any 

industry sectors, for a total of nearly 9 million 

jobs. In contrast, manufacturing is among the 

industry sectors with projected declines in 

employment.

For a graphic illustration of employment 

projections by industry, see www.bls.gov/

ooq/2013/winter/industry.htm, in the winter 

2013–14 Quarterly.

Why might industry matter?
18 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Spring 2014 • www.bls.gov/ooq

industry examples, and selected industry 

wages. Industries that BLS identified as having fewer than 1,000 jobs in an occupation in 

May 2013 are not included.

Business and financial operations

The success of almost any business depends, 

at least in part, on its finances and operational 

efficiency. For this reason, many industries 

need workers in occupations related to business and financial operations.

As a group, these occupations usually pay 

well but require formal training. All of the 

occupations in table 1 had wages that were 

higher than the median annual wage for all 

occupations in May 2013. And all of the occupations except for purchasing agents typically 

require at least a bachelor’s degree at the entry 

level, according to BLS.

Accountants and auditors. Accountants 

and auditors analyze and prepare financial 

records. They also offer tax and financial 

advice and help businesses keep track of 

expenses to run more efficiently.

Accountants and auditors were employed 

in more than 280 industries in May 2013, 

according to BLS. Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services had 

the most jobs for accountants and auditors, 

about 28 percent of them in May 2013. Other 

employers include local government, automobile dealers, and general medical and surgical 

hospitals.

Median annual wages by industry for 

accountants and auditors in May 2013 ranged 

from $50,230 in traveler accommodation to 

$89,440 in the federal executive branch. Other 

industries that pay well for accountants and 

auditors are securities and commodity contracts intermediation and brokerage, software 

publishers, and motion picture and video 

industries.

Management analysts. Also known as 

program analysts and management consultants, management analysts study business 

operations and suggest improvements. They 

also design systems or procedures to help 

businesses better achieve goals.

In May 2013, there were about 200 industries that employed management analysts. 

Management, scientific, and technical consulting services had the largest number of these 

Occupation Employment Median annual wage

Accountants and auditors 1,168,330 $65,080

Management analysts 567,840 79,870

Market research analysts and marketing specialists 430,350 60,800

Human resources specialists 426,570 56,630

Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products 284,480 59,780

Training and development specialists 224,110 56,850

Logisticians 120,340 73,400

Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists 81,520 59,820

Meeting, convention, and event planners 73,290 46,260

Budget analysts 58,740 70,110

Note: The occupations were selected in part based on the results of an analysis which used the HerfindahlHirschman Index (HHI) to measure how concentrated an occupation is within industries. (Typically, this 

tool is used to measure market concentration among firms in an industry.) The occupations in the table 

all had low values under this analysis, meaning that their employment is spread out across industries.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics survey.

Table 1: Selected business and financial operations occupations found in 

many industries, May 2013
19 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Spring 2014 • www.bls.gov/ooq

jobs, about 27 percent of the total. The federal 

executive branch; computer systems design 

and related services; and colleges, universities, 

and professional schools are among the other 

employers.

Median annual wages for management 

analysts in May 2013 ranged from $54,470 in 

state government to $105,110 with software 

publishers. Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing; scientific research and 

development services; and architectural, engineering, and related services also pay well.

Human resources specialists. Businesses 

hire human resources specialists to handle a 

variety of duties relating to employees, such as 

recruitment, training, and benefits administration. Job tasks may include interviewing job 

applicants, conducting new employee orientation, and processing paperwork for health 

insurance and retirement benefits.

In May 2013, there were about 260 

industries that employed human resources 

specialists. Employment services accounted 

for roughly 17 percent of the total jobs in this 

occupation. Nursing care facilities, department stores, and general freight trucking are 

among the many other employers.

Median annual wages for human 

resources specialists in May 2013 ranged from 

$40,160 in vocational rehabilitation services 

to $80,440 in securities and commodity 

contracts intermediation and brokerage. The 

federal executive branch, software publishers, 

and aerospace product and parts manufacturing also pay well.

Computer and mathematics

Because computers are used in most industries, workers in computer-related occupations 

have many employment options.

Computer and mathematics occupations 

often pay well: every occupation listed in table 

2 had a median annual wage that was higher 

than the median wage for all occupations. 

And 7 of the 10 occupations in the table had 

a median wage that was more than double the 

median for all occupations.

To enter these occupations, workers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree. Computer user support specialists and computer 

network support specialists are exceptions; 

Occupation Employment Median annual wage

Software developers, applications 643,830 $92,660 

Computer user support specialists 541,250 46,620

Computer systems analysts 507,100 81,190

Network and computer systems administrators 362,310 74,000

Computer network support specialists 165,100 60,180

Computer network architects 141,270 95,380

Database administrators 114,910 78,520

Web developers 112,820 63,160

Information security analysts 78,020 88,590

Operations research analysts 72,680 74,630

Note: The occupations were selected in part based on the results of an analysis which used the HerfindahlHirschman Index (HHI) to measure how concentrated an occupation is within industries. (Typically, this 

tool is used to measure market concentration among firms in an industry.) The occupations in the table 

all had low values under this analysis, meaning that their employment is spread out across industries.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics survey.

Table 2: Selected computer and mathematics occupations found in 

many industries, May 2013
20 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Spring 2014 • www.bls.gov/ooq

BLS classifies these two occupations as typically requiring some college education but no 

degree, plus on-the-job training.

Applications software developers. These 

workers design and customize computer programs. Job tasks include analyzing user needs, 

developing and testing software, and creating 

models and diagrams showing computer programmers how to write software code.

In May 2013, BLS data show, more than 

150 industries employed applications software 

developers. About 34 percent of these jobs 

were in computer systems design and related 

services. Applications software developers 

also work for software publishers, insurance 

carriers, and wired telecommunications carriers, among other employers.

Median annual wages for applications 

software developers ranged from $70,650 

in state government to $117,550 in the other 

information services industry, which includes 

Internet publishing, Internet broadcasting, and 

Web search portals. Other industries that pay 

well include motion picture and video industries, aerospace product and parts manufacturing, and electronic shopping and mail-order 

houses.

Computer user support specialists. 

These workers offer technical help to computer users. Their job tasks include answering 

questions about hardware and software and 

resolving problems related to the use of these 

technologies.

Computer user support specialists were 

employed in about 250 industries in May 

2013. Computer systems design and related 

services had about 21 percent of these jobs. 

Elementary and secondary schools, legal 

services, and electronics and appliance stores 

are among the many other employers of these 

workers.

Median annual wages for computer user 

support specialists in May 2013 ranged from 

$22,530 in office supplies, stationery, and gift 

stores to $60,580 in electric power generation, transmission, and distribution. Other 

industries that pay well for these workers are 

pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing, 

securities and commodity contracts intermediation and brokerage, and scientific research 

and development services.
21 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Spring 2014 • www.bls.gov/ooq

Computer systems analysts. To help 

businesses run effectively, these workers 

recommend updates to computer hardware, 

software, and procedures. Job tasks include 

reviewing IT practices with business managers, researching new technologies, and training systems’ users.

In May 2013, computer systems analysts 

were employed in about 180 industry groups. 

The computer systems design and related services industry accounted for about 30 percent 

of total jobs in this occupation in May 2013. 

Insurance carriers, state government, and general medical and surgical hospitals are some 

of the other employers of computer systems 

analysts.

Median annual wages for computer 

systems analysts in May 2013 ranged from 

$66,150 in colleges, universities, and professional schools to $93,790 in securities and 

commodity contracts intermediation and brokerage. Other industries that pay well are agriculture, construction, and mining machinery 

manufacturing; natural gas distribution; and 

aerospace product and parts manufacturing.

Management

Leadership is essential for any type of business. Workers in management occupations 

provide this leadership in a variety of industries.

Median annual wages for many of the 

occupations in table 3 were at least three times 

higher than the median for all occupations in 

May 2013, according to BLS. But those high 

wages are due, in part, to the education and 

experience workers need to become managers. 

All of the occupations in the table typically 

require a bachelor’s degree and work experience in a related occupation.

The experience required of managers 

might affect their mobility. A sales manager 

in pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing, for example, often has experience in the 

industry as a sales worker before becoming 

a manager. Therefore, a sales manager in 

another industry may not have the knowledge 

needed to work in pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing.

General and operations managers. 

These workers have a broad range of duties 

related to overseeing business activities. Job 

Occupation Employment Median annual wage

General and operations managers 1,973,700 $96,430 

Financial managers 499,320 112,700

Sales managers 352,220 108,540

Administrative services managers 269,500 82,310

Chief executives 248,760 171,610

Marketing managers 174,010 123,220

Human resources managers 110,650 100,800

Public relations and fundraising managers 53,730 98,700

Training and development managers 28,340 98,810

Compensation and benefits managers 17,570 101,490

Note: The occupations were selected in part based on the results of an analysis which used the HerfindahlHirschman Index (HHI) to measure how concentrated an occupation is within industries. (Typically, this 

tool is used to measure market concentration among firms in an industry.) The occupations in the table 

all had low values under this analysis, meaning that their employment is spread out across industries.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics survey.

Table 3: Selected management occupations found in many industries, May 2013
22 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Spring 2014 • www.bls.gov/ooq

tasks include creating policies, managing 

budgets, and planning for the future.

General and operations managers is one 

of the most widely dispersed occupations 

across industries, with jobs in 290 industries 

in May 2013. Management of companies 

and enterprises (an industry that includes 

corporate offices, regional managing offices, 

and district headquarters) had about 4 percent of these jobs, the most of any industry. 

Restaurants and other eating places, building 

equipment contractors, and grocery stores are 

among the other employers.

Median annual wages for general and 

operations managers in May 2013 ranged 

from $56,950 in drinking places that serve 

alcoholic beverages to $175,440 in securities and commodity contracts intermediation 

and brokerage. Other industries that pay well 

include scientific research and development 

services, software publishers, and oil and gas 

extraction.

Financial managers. Helping to ensure 

the fiscal health of a business, these managers oversee money-related matters such as 

budgets, cash flow, investments, or insurance 

needs.

In May 2013, financial managers were 

employed in more than 260 industries. Depository credit intermediation (such as banks and 

credit unions) had the largest number of these 

jobs, about 15 percent of the total. Nondepository credit intermediation (such as credit card 

issuing and sales financing), office administrative services, and offices of physicians are 

some of the other industries that also employ 

financial managers.

Median annual wages for financial managers in May 2013 ranged from $82,480 in 

individual and family services to $165,990 

in the other financial investment activities 

industry, which includes investment advice, 

portfolio management, and venture capital 

companies. Scientific research and development services; accounting, tax preparation, 

bookkeeping, and payroll services; and software publishers also pay well.

Sales managers. These workers help get 

products or services to wholesalers and consumers. Sales managers direct teams of sales 

workers by setting sales quotas and goals, 

assigning territories, and analyzing performance.

In May 2013, there were about 250 industry groups that employed sales managers. 
23 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Spring 2014 • www.bls.gov/ooq

Management of companies and enterprises 

accounted for about 9 percent of the total jobs, 

the most of any industry. Automobile dealers, 

grocery and related product merchant wholesalers, and agencies, brokerages, and other 

insurance related activities are among the 

other employers of sales managers.

Median annual wages for sales managers 

in May 2013 ranged from $56,520 in automotive parts, accessories, and tire stores to more 

than $187,200 in securities and commodity 

contracts intermediation and brokerage. Other 

industries that pay well for these workers are 

computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing; apparel, piece goods, and notions 

merchant wholesalers; and scientific research 

and development services.

Office and administrative support

Businesses of all kinds need clerical or 

administrative help. Some of the occupations 

in table 4 had high employment—including 

three with more than 2 million jobs each in 

May 2013. Wages in these occupations varied, 

but 6 of the 10 occupations in the table had a 

higher median annual wage than that of all 

occupations. (All occupations discussed in this 

section, however, had below-average wages.)

Occupations in the table typically require 

at least a high school diploma or its equivalent, according to BLS. On-the-job training 

is an important part of how workers become 

competent in these occupations.

General office clerks. These workers do 

a variety of tasks, including photocopying 

and filing documents, ordering supplies, and 

answering phones. Responsibilities differ by 

job and can change daily, depending on the 

employer’s needs.

With more than 2.8 million jobs in May 

2013, general office clerks has the largest 

employment numbers of the occupations 

discussed in this article. Jobs were dispersed 

among 290 industries in May 2013. The industries that had the most jobs for office clerks 

were local government and employment services, with about 6 percent each. Junior colleges, offices of real estate agents and brokers, 

and automotive repair and maintenance are 

among the many other employment options.

Occupation Employment Median annual wage

Office clerks, general 2,832,010 $28,050 

Customer service representatives 2,389,580 30,870

Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, 

medical, and executive 2,159,000 32,840

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks 1,586,380 35,730

Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants 755,210 49,290

Data entry keyers 207,660 28,470

Payroll and timekeeping clerks 170,400 38,670

Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping 136,960 37,680

Procurement clerks 68,690 38,780

Computer operators 67,450 38,870

Note: The occupations were selected in part based on the results of an analysis which used the HerfindahlHirschman Index (HHI) to measure how concentrated an occupation is within industries. (Typically, this 

tool is used to measure market concentration among firms in an industry.) The occupations in the table 

all had low values under this analysis, meaning that their employment is spread out across industries.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics survey.

Table 4: Selected office and administrative support occupations found in 

many industries, May 2013
24 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Spring 2014 • www.bls.gov/ooq

Median annual wages for these workers 

ranged from $21,640 in florists to $53,840 in 

postal service. Other industries that pay well 

include natural gas distribution; wired telecommunications carriers; and electric power 

generation, transmission, and distribution.

Customer service representatives. Businesses have many types of customers, and 

these workers help respond to those customers’ questions and concerns. Job tasks for 

these workers include answering phone calls 

or emails or assisting customers in person.

In May 2013, there were more than 270 

industries that employed customer service 

representatives. Business support services, 

which includes telemarketing bureaus and 

other contact centers, had about 10 percent of 

the jobs. Other employers of customer service 

representatives include agencies, brokerages, 

and other insurance related activities; travel 

arrangement and reservation services; and 

building material and supplies dealers.

Customer service representatives’ median 

annual wages in May 2013 ranged from 

$20,030 in grocery stores to $47,770 in natural gas distribution. Aerospace product and 

parts manufacturing, computer and peripheral 

equipment manufacturing, and semiconductor 

and other electronic component manufacturing are other industries that pay well.

Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive. 

These workers do routine clerical and organizational tasks, such as drafting emails and 

letters, scheduling appointments, and maintaining files.

In May 2013, there were more than 280 

industries that employed secretaries and 

administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive. Elementary and secondary 

schools, the largest employer, accounted for 

about 10 percent of the jobs. Local government, offices of dentists, and social advocacy 

organizations are among the many other 

employers.

Median annual wages for these workers 

ranged from $23,380 in personal care services 

to $45,970 in the federal executive branch 

in May 2013. Other industries that pay well 

include wired telecommunications carriers; 

electric power generation, transmission, and 

distribution; and scientific research and development services.

For more information

To learn more about the occupations in this 

article, as well as hundreds of others, visit 

the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) 

at www.bls.gov/ooh. OOH profiles provide 

occupational descriptions, typical entry 

requirements, wages, employment outlook, 

and more.

For detailed information about wages 

and employment by industry, state, and area, 

see the occupation profiles available from the 

Occupational Employment Statistics program 

at www.bls.gov/oes.

Other recent Quarterly articles that 

describe employment by industries include the 

following:

•	 “Working with big data” in the fall 2013 

issue at www.bls.gov/ooq/2013/fall/

art01.pdf.

•	 “Powering the nation: Smart grid 

careers,” also in the fall 2013 issue, at 

www.bls.gov/ooq/2013/fall/art03.pdf.

•	 “From script to screen: Careers in film 

production” in the summer 2013 issue 

at www.bls.gov/ooq/2013/summer/

art02.pdf.

•	 “Resources work: Careers in mining, 

oil, and gas” in the spring 2013 issue at 

www.bls.gov/ooq/2013/spring/art02.

pdf.

•	 “Careers in geothermal energy: Power 

from below” in the winter 2012-13 issue 

at www.bls.gov/ooq/2012/winter/

art02.pdf.

And for an analysis of occupational concentration by industry, see Audrey Watson’s 

“Measuring occupational concentration by 

industry” in Beyond the Numbers: Employment and Unemployment at www.bls.gov/

opub/btn/volume-3/measuringoccupational-concentration-by-industry.

htm.