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 http://www.bls.gov/oco/

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USDL 07-1922

For release: 10:00 A.M. EST

 691-5902 Tuesday, December 18, 2007

2008–09 EDITIONS OF THE OCCUPATIONAL OUTLOOK HANDBOOK AND THE CAREER

GUIDE TO INDUSTRIES AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET

The 2008–09 editions of the Occupational Outlook Handbook and the Career Guide to Industries

were issued today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor on the Bureau’s

Internet site. The Handbook and the Career Guide can be accessed on the Internet at http://www.bls.

gov/oco and http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg, respectively. Print versions of both publications are expected to

be available by Spring 2008.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook has been a nationally recognized source of career information

since the late 1940s. The Career Guide to Industries was developed as a companion publication to the

Handbook in the early 1990s. These publications provide comprehensive, up-to-date, and reliable labor

market information that has helped millions of Americans plan their future work lives. The Handbook and

the Career Guide discuss prospective changes in the job market and the qualifications sought by employers,

information that is widely used by counselors, students, job seekers, education and training officials, and

researchers.

These publications reflect the Bureau’s latest employment projections, which cover the 2006–16 decade.

Detailed information on the 2006–16 projections appears in five articles in the November 2007 issue of the

Monthly Labor Review, accessible at http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/welcome.htm. A graphic presentation of

projections highlights appears in the Fall 2007 Occupational Outlook Quarterly, accessible at http://www.

bls.gov/opub/ooq.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook

The Occupational Outlook Handbook provides detailed information about hundreds of occupations,

covering 9 out of 10 jobs in the economy. For each occupation, the Handbook highlights key occupational

characteristics, followed by sections about the nature of the work and work environment, requirements for

entry and opportunities for advancement, employment of salaried and self-employed workers, earnings,

related occupations, and sources of additional information. Additionally, a section on "Job Outlook"

describes each occupation’s projected employment change over the next decade, as well as the various

factors expected to affect this projection. Examples of such factors are the aging of baby boomers,

technological innovations, changes in business practices, changes in the goods and services demanded

by businesses and consumers, and changing foreign competition.

News

Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington, D.C. 20212

United States

Department 

of Labor
2

Employment over the 2006–16 decade is expected to increase by 15.6 million, or 10 percent. Table 1

lists the changes in employment over the 2006–16 decade for the 30 fastest growing occupations. For 19 of

these occupations, the most significant source of postsecondary education or training is an associate or higher

degree. Computer-related and health-related occupations, in addition, account for 16 of the 30 fastest

growing occupations. Table 2 lists the changes in employment over the 2006–16 decade for the 30 occupations with the largest projected job growth. Short-term on-the-job training is the most significant source

of postsecondary education or training for 14 of these occupations.

The Career Guide to Industries

The Occupational Outlook Handbook’s companion publication, the Career Guide to Industries,

analyzes employment change from an industry perspective, providing information on 44 industries that cover

3 out of 4 wage and salary jobs in the economy. For each industry, the Career Guide describes the nature

of the industry, typical working conditions, and key occupations employed in the industry. The Career

Guide also discusses industry training practices and worker earnings. The “Outlook” section compares the

industry’s projected percentage change in wage and salary employment with the percentage change in wage

and salary jobs for all industries combined.

Table 3 indicates the changes in wage and salary employment over the 2006–16 decade for each of the

industries included in the Career Guide. Employment growth is projected to be concentrated in the serviceproviding sector. Two industry groups within the service-providing sector—education and health care—are

expected to account for half of all wage and salary employment growth in the economy. In the goods-producing sector, employment is expected to grow in construction and decline in natural resources and manufacturing.

Enhancements to the 2008–09 Editions

The new editions of the Occupational Outlook Handbook and Career Guide to Industries incorporate

several organizational changes. In addition to the major headings used in previous editions, the new editions

contain subheadings, which make it easier to find relevant information within each section. For example, the

“Job Outlook” section of each statement now contains separate subheadings for employment change and job

prospects. An overview and discussion of this and the many other enhancements can be found in the "Occupational Information Included in the Handbook” and the “Information in the Career Guide to Industries”

sections of each respective publication.

Ordering Information

The print versions of the 2008–09 editions of the Occupational Outlook Handbook and the Career

Guide to Industries are sold by the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, and are

expected to be available by Spring 2008. Ordering and price information will appear online at http://www.

bls.gov/emp/emppub01.htm.

Occupational Projections and Training Data will be available online May 2008 at http://www.bls.

gov/emp/optd/home.htm.

To order the Monthly Labor Review, visit http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/subscrib.htm.

Information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice

phone: (202) 691-5200; TDD message referral phone: 1-800-877-8339.
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Table 1. The 30 fastest growing occupations covered in the 2008-09 Occupational Outlook Handbook

(Numbers in thousands)

Occupation

Employment change, 

2006-16 Most significant source of postsecondary 

education or training 1

Number Percent

Network systems and data communications analysts ........................ 140 53.4 Bachelor's degree

Personal and home care aides ...................................................... 389 50.6 Short-term on-the-job training

Home health aides .............................................................. 384 48.7 Short-term on-the-job training

Computer software engineers, applications .................................... 226 44.6 Bachelor's degree

Veterinary technologists and technicians ....................................... 29 41.0 Associate degree

Personal financial advisors ......................................................... 72 41.0 Bachelor's degree

Makeup artists, theatrical and performance .................................... 1 39.8 Postsecondary vocational award

Medical assistants ..................................................................... 148 35.4 Moderate-term on-the-job training

Veterinarians ........................................................................... 22 35.0 First professional degree

Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors ........................ 29 34.3 Bachelor's degree

Skin care specialists .................................................................. 13 34.3 Postsecondary vocational award

Financial analysts ..................................................................... 75 33.8 Bachelor's degree

Social and human service assistants ............................................. 114 33.6 Moderate-term on-the-job training

Gaming surveillance officers and gaming investigators ..................... 3 33.6 Moderate-term on-the-job training

Physical therapist assistants ......................................................... 20 32.4 Associate degree

Pharmacy technicians ............................................................... 91 32.0 Moderate-term on-the-job training

Forensic science technicians ...................................................... 4 30.7 Bachelor's degree

Dental hygienists ........................................................................ 50 30.1 Associate degree

Mental health counselors ............................................................ 30 30.0 Master's degree

Mental health and substance abuse social workers ........................... 37 29.9 Master's degree

Marriage and family therapists ...................................................... 7 29.8 Master's degree

Dental assistants ........................................................................ 82 29.2 Moderate-term on-the-job training

Computer systems analysts ......................................................... 146 29.0 Bachelor's degree

Database administrators ............................................................ 34 28.6 Bachelor's degree

Computer software engineers, systems software .............................. 99 28.2 Bachelor's degree

Gaming and sports book writers and runners ................................. 5 28.0 Short-term on-the-job training

Environmental science and protection technicians, including health ...... 10 28.0 Associate degree

Manicurists and pedicurists ........................................................... 22 27.6 Postsecondary vocational award

Physical therapists ..................................................................... 47 27.1 Master's degree

Physician assistants .................................................................. 18 27.0 Master's degree

 1

 An occupation is placed into 1 of 11 categories that best describes the postsecondary education or training needed by most workers

to become fully qualified in that occupation. For more information about the categories, see Occupational Projections and Training Data,

2006-07 edition, Bulletin 2602 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, February 2006) and Occupational Projections and Training Data, 2008-09 edition

Bulletin 2702 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, forthcoming).
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Table 2. The 30 occupations covered in the 2008-09 Occupational Outlook Handbook with the largest employment growth

(Numbers in thousands)

Occupation

Employment change, 

2006-16 Most significant source of postsecondary

 education or training1

Number Percent

Registered nurses .................................................................. 587 23.5 Associate degree

Retail salespersons .................................................................. 557 12.4 Short-term on-the-job training

Customer service representatives ................................................ 545 24.8 Moderate-term on-the-job training

Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food ... 452 18.1 Short-term on-the-job training

Office clerks, general ............................................................... 404 12.6 Short-term on-the-job training

Personal and home care aides ................................................... 389 50.6 Short-term on-the-job training

Home health aides .................................................................. 384 48.7 Short-term on-the-job training

Postsecondary teachers ............................................................ 382 22.9 Doctoral degree

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners ...... 345 14.5 Short-term on-the-job training

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants ....................................... 264 18.2 Postsecondary vocational award

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks .............................. 264 12.5 Moderate-term on-the-job training

Waiters and waitresses ............................................................ 255 10.8 Short-term on-the-job training

Child care workers .................................................................. 248 17.8 Short-term on-the-job training

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants ........................ 239 14.8 Work experience in a related occupation

Computer software engineers, applications .................................... 226 44.6 Bachelor's degree

Accountants and auditors ......................................................... 226 17.7 Bachelor's degree

Landscaping and groundskeeping workers .................................... 221 18.1 Short-term on-the-job training

Elementary school teachers, except special education ..................... 209 13.6 Bachelor's degree

Receptionists and information clerks .......................................... 202 17.2 Short-term on-the-job training

Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer .......................................... 193 10.4 Moderate-term on-the-job training

Maids and housekeeping cleaners ............................................. 186 12.7 Short-term on-the-job training

Security guards ........................................................................ 175 16.9 Short-term on-the-job training

Carpenters .............................................................................. 150 10.3 Long-term on-the-job training

Management analysts ............................................................... 149 21.9 Bachelor's or higher degree, plus work experience

Medical assistants .................................................................. 148 35.4 Moderate-term on-the-job training

Computer systems analysts ...................................................... 146 29.0 Bachelor's degree

Maintenance and repair workers, general .................................... 140 10.1 Moderate-term on-the-job training

Network systems and data communications analysts ..................... 140 53.4 Bachelor's degree

Food preparation workers ......................................................... 138 15.3 Short-term on-the-job training

Teacher assistants .................................................................. 137 10.4 Short-term on-the-job training

 1 An occupation is placed into 1 of 11 categories that best describes the postsecondary education or training needed by most workers

to become fully qualified in that occupation. For more information about the categories, see Occupational Projections and Training Data,

2006-07 edition, Bulletin 2602 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, February 2006) and Occupational Projections and Training Data, 2008-09 edition,

Bulletin 2702 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, forthcoming).
(Numbers in thousands)

2006 2016 Number Percent

All industries ................................................................................................... 138,310 153,262 14,951 10.8

Natural resources, construction, and utilities ............................................................ 10,076 10,710 634 6.3

 Agriculture, forestry, and fishing ........................................................................ 1,220 1,114 -105 -8.6

 Construction ................................................................................................... 7,689 8,470 781 10.2

 Mining ......................................................................................................... 619 609 -10 -1.6

 Utilities ......................................................................................................... 549 518 -31 -5.7

Manufacturing ................................................................................................... 14,197 12,695 -1,503 -10.6

 Aerospace product and parts manufacturing ......................................................... 472 497 25 5.4

 Chemical manufacturing, except drugs ............................................................... 576 486 -90 -15.7

 Computer and electronic product manufacturing ................................................... 1,316 1,159 -157 -12.0

 Food manufacturing ....................................................................................... 1,484 1,489 5 .3

 Machinery manufacturing ................................................................................. 1,192 1,045 -146 -12.3

 Motor vehicle and parts manufacturing ............................................................... 1,070 918 -153 -14.3

 Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing ......................................................... 292 362 69 23.7

 Printing ......................................................................................................... 636 497 -139 -21.8

 Steel manufacturing ....................................................................................... 154 116 -39 -25.1

 Textile, textile product, and apparel manufacturing ................................................ 595 385 -211 -35.4

Trade ............................................................................................................... 21,217 22,332 1,115 5.3

 Automobile dealers .......................................................................................... 1,247 1,388 141 11.3

 Clothing, accessory, and general merchandise stores ............................................. 4,352 4,676 324 7.5

 Grocery stores ................................................................................................ 2,463 2,479 16 .7

 Wholesale trade ............................................................................................. 5,898 6,326 428 7.3

Transportation and warehousing ........................................................................... 4,466 4,962 496 11.1

 Air transportation ......................................................................................... 487 522 35 7.3

 Truck transportation and warehousing .................................................................. 2,074 2,381 307 14.8

Information ...................................................................................................... 3,055 3,267 212 6.9

 Broadcasting ................................................................................................ 331 362 31 9.3

 Motion picture and video industries ..................................................................... 357 396 39 10.9

 Publishing, except software .............................................................................. 660 611 -49 -7.5

 Software publishers .......................................................................................... 243 321 78 32.0

 Telecommunications ....................................................................................... 973 1,022 49 5.0

 Internet services providers, web search portals, and data processing services ............ 383 437 54 14.0

Financial activities .............................................................................................. 8,363 9,570 1,207 14.4

 Banking ......................................................................................................... 1,825 1,899 74 4.0

 Insurance ...................................................................................................... 2,316 2,488 172 7.4

 Securities, commodities, and other investments ................................................... 816 1,192 376 46.1

Professional and business services ........................................................................ 17,552 21,644 4,092 23.3

 Advertising and public relations services ............................................................... 458 520 62 13.6

 Computer systems design and related services ...................................................... 1,278 1,768 489 38.3

 Employment services ....................................................................................... 3,657 4,348 692 18.9

 Management, scientific, and technical consulting services ....................................... 921 1,639 718 77.9

 Scientific research and development services ...................................................... 593 649 56 9.4

Education, health, and social services .................................................................. 29,082 34,543 5,461 18.8

 Child day care services .................................................................................... 807 1,078 272 33.7

 Educational services ....................................................................................... 13,152 14,564 1,412 10.7

 Health services ............................................................................................. 13,621 16,576 2,954 21.7

 Social assistance, except child day care ............................................................... 1,502 2,326 823 54.8

Leisure and hospitality ....................................................................................... 13,143 15,016 1,873 14.2

 Arts, entertainment, and recreation ................................................................... 1,927 2,522 595 30.9

 Food services and drinking places ..................................................................... 9,383 10,407 1,024 10.9

 Hotels and other accommodations ..................................................................... 1,833 2,088 254 13.9

Government and advocacy, grantmaking, and civic organizations .............................. 11,210 11,895 685 6.1

 Advocacy, grantmaking, and civic organizations ................................................... 1,234 1,392 158 12.8

 Federal Government ....................................................................................... 1,958 1,869 -90 -4.6

 State and local government, except education and health care ................................. 8,018 8,634 617 7.7

 NOTE: Columns may not add to totals due to omission of industries not covered in the Career Guide to Industries .

Table 3. Wage and salary employment in industries covered in the Career Guide to Industries, 2006 and projected change, 2006-16

Employment Employment change

Industry