For release 10:00 a.m. (EST) Wednesday, February 1, 2012 USDL-12-0160 

Technical information: (202) 691-5700 • ep-info@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/emp 

Media contact: (202) 691-5902 • PressOffice@bls.gov 

EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONS – 2010-20 

Industries and occupations related to health care, personal care and social assistance, and construction 

are projected to have the fastest job growth between 2010 and 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 

reported today. Total employment is projected to grow by 14.3 percent over the decade, resulting in 20.5 

million new jobs. Despite rapid projected growth, construction is not expected to regain all of the jobs 

lost during the 2007‐09 recession. 

The 2010-20 projections incorporate a new BLS system that depicts education, training, and related 

work experience typically needed for occupations. In occupations in which a master’s degree is typically 

needed for entry, employment is expected to grow by 21.7 percent, faster than the growth rate for any 

other education category. In occupations in which apprenticeship is the typical on-the-job training, 

employment is expected to grow by 22.5 percent, faster than for any other on-the-job training category. 

This news release focuses on five areas: labor force and the macroeconomy, industry employment, 

occupational employment, education and training, and replacement needs. 

Labor force and the macroeconomy 

 Slower population growth and a decreasing overall labor force participation rate are expected to 

lead to slower civilian labor force growth from 2010 to 2020: 0.7 percent annually, compared 

with 0.8 percent for 2000-10, and 1.3 percent for 1990-2000. The projected 0.7 percent growth 

rate will lead to a civilian labor force increase of 10.5 million by 2020. (See table 1.) 

 The baby-boom generation moves entirely into the 55-years-and-older age group by 2020, 

increasing that age group’s share of the labor force from 19.5 percent in 2010 to 25.2 percent in 

2020. The “prime-age” working group (ages 25 to 54) is projected to drop to 63.7 percent of the 

2020 labor force. The 16- to 24-year-old age group is projected to account for 11.2 percent of the 

labor force in 2020. (See table 1.) 

 By 2020, the number of Hispanics in the labor force is projected to grow by 7.7 million, or 34.0 

percent, and their share of the labor force is expected to increase from 14.8 percent in 2010 to 

18.6 percent in 2020. The labor force shares for Asians and blacks are projected to be 5.7 and 

12.0 percent, respectively, up slightly from 4.7 and 11.6 percent in 2010. (See table 1.) 

 Gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to grow by 3.0 percent annually, consistent with slow 

labor force growth, the assumption of a full-employment economy in 2020, and labor 

productivity growth of 2.0 percent annually. 
- 2 - 

Industry employment 

 Nonagriculture wage and salary employment, which accounts for more than 9 in 10 jobs in the 

economy, is projected to expand to 150.2 million by 2020, up from 130.4 million in 2010. (See 

table 2.) 

 The health care and social assistance sector is projected to gain the most jobs (5.6 million), 

followed by professional and business services (3.8 million), and construction (1.8 million). 

Despite rapid growth in the construction sector, employment in 2020 is not expected to reach its 

pre-recessionary annual average peak of 7.7 million in 2006. (See table 2 and chart 1.) 

 About 5.0 million new jobs—25 percent of all new jobs—are expected in the three detailed 

industries projected to add the most jobs: construction, retail trade, and offices of health 

practitioners. Seven of the 20 industries gaining the most jobs are in the health care and social 

assistance sector, and five are in the professional and business services sector. (See table 3.) 

 The 20 detailed industries projected to lose the largest numbers of jobs are primarily in the 

manufacturing sector (11 industries) and the federal government (3 industries). The largest job 

losses are projected for the Postal Service (-182,000), federal non-defense government 

(-122,000), and apparel knitting mills (-92,000). (See table 4.) 
- 3 - 

Occupational employment 

 Of the 22 major occupational groups, employment in healthcare support occupations is expected 

to grow most rapidly (34.5 percent), followed by personal care and services occupations (26.8 

percent), and healthcare practitioners and technical occupations (25.9 percent). However, the 

office and administrative support occupations group, with projected slower than average growth 

of 10.3 percent, is expected to add the largest number of new jobs (2.3 million). (See table 5 and 

chart 2.) 

 The four detailed occupations expected to add the most employment are registered nurses 

(712,000), retail salespersons (707,000), home health aides (706,000), and personal care aides 

(607,000). All have large employment in 2010 and are expected to grow faster than the average 

of 14.3 percent. (See table 6.) 

 One-third of the projected fastest growing occupations are related to health care, reflecting 

expected increases in demand as the population ages and the health care and social assistance 

industry grows. (See table 7.) 

 More than one-fourth of the projected fastest growing occupations are related to construction. 

Employment in most of these occupations, still at low levels in 2010 because of the 2007-09 

recession, will recover along with the construction industry. But employment in most 

construction occupations is not expected to reach pre-recession levels. (See table 7.) 

 Production occupations and office and administrative support occupations dominate the list of 

detailed occupations with the largest projected employment declines. However, farmers, 
- 4 - 

ranchers, and other agricultural managers top the list, with a projected loss of 96,100 jobs. (See 

table 8.) 

Education and training 

 Occupations that typically need some type of postsecondary education for entry are projected to 

grow the fastest during the 2010-20 decade. Occupations classified as needing a master’s degree 

are projected to grow by 21.7 percent, followed by doctoral or professional degree occupations at 

19.9 percent, and associate’s degree occupations at 18.0 percent. (See table 9.) 

 In terms of typical on-the-job training, occupations that typically require apprenticeships are 

projected to grow the fastest (22.5 percent). (See table 9.) 

 Of the 30 detailed occupations projected to have the fastest employment growth, 17 typically 

need some type of postsecondary education for entry into the occupation. (See table 7.) 

 Two-thirds of the 30 occupations projected to have the largest number of new jobs typically 

require less than a postsecondary education, no related work experience, and short- or moderateterm on-the-job training. (See table 6.) 

 Only 3 of the 30 detailed occupations projected to have the largest employment declines are 

classified as needing postsecondary education for entry. (See table 8.) 

Replacement needs 

 Over the 2010-20 decade, 54.8 million total job openings are expected. (See table 9.) While 

growth will lead to many openings, more than half—61.6 percent—will come from the need to 

replace workers who retire or otherwise permanently leave an occupation. 

 In 4 out of 5 occupations, openings due to replacement needs exceed the number due to growth. 

Replacement needs are expected in every occupation, even in those that are declining. 

 More than two-thirds of all job openings are expected to be in occupations that typically do not 

need postsecondary education for entry. (See table 9.) 

 Eighteen of the 30 occupations with the largest number of projected total job openings are 

classified as typically needing less than a postsecondary education and needing short-term onthe-job training. (See table 10.) 

Interpreting the projections in light of the 2007-09 recession and recovery 

The BLS projections are built on the assumption of a full employment economy in 2020. The 2007-09 

recession represented a sharp downturn in the economy—and the economy, especially the labor market, 

has been slow to recover. As a result, the 2010-20 projections reach a robust 2020 target year largely 

because the 2010 base year began from a relatively low point. Rapid growth rates for some measures 

reflect recovery from the recession and, with some important exceptions, growth beyond recovery. 
- 5 - 

A note about labor shortages and surpluses in the context of long-term economic projections

Users of these data should not assume that the difference between the projected increase in the labor 

force and the projected increase in employment implies a labor shortage or surplus. The BLS projections 

assume labor market equilibrium, that is, one in which labor supply meets labor demand except for some 

degree of frictional unemployment. In addition, the employment and labor force measures use different 

concepts. Employment is a count of jobs, and one person may hold more than one job. Labor force is a 

count of people, and a person is counted only once regardless of how many jobs he or she holds. For a 

discussion of the basic projections methodology, see “Overview of projections to 2020,” Dixie Sommers 

and James C. Franklin, January 2012 issue of the Monthly Labor Review. 

More information

The BLS projections are used by high school students and their teachers and parents, college students, 

career changers, and career development and guidance specialists. The projections are the foundation of 

the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, the nation’s most widely used career information resource. 

The projections also are used by state workforce agencies to prepare state and area projections that, 

together with the national projections, are widely used by policymakers and education and training 

officials to make decisions about education and training policy, funding, and program offerings. In 

addition, other federal agencies, researchers, and academics use the projections to understand trends in 

the economy and labor market. The projections are updated every two years. 

More detailed information on the 2010-20 projections appears in five articles in the January 2012 issue 

of the Monthly Labor Review, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. 

The Monthly Labor Review is available online at www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/mlrhome.htm. 

The 2012-13 edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook will feature the 2010-20 projections in 

assessing job outlook, work activities, wages, education and training requirements, and more for detailed 

occupations in 341 profiles. The updated Handbook will be available online in late March 2012, at 

www.bls.gov/ooh. A graphic representation of the highlights of the projections appears in the Winter 

2011-12 issue of the Occupational Outlook Quarterly, available online at www.bls.gov/ooq. 

Tables with detailed, comprehensive statistics used in preparing the projections are available online at 

www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm, and projections methodology are accessible at 

www.bls.gov/emp/ep_projections_methods.htm. 

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

Voice phone: (202) 691-5200; Federal Relay Services: 1 (800) 877-8339. 
(In thousands)

1990 2000 2010 2020 1990-2000 2000-10 2010-20 1990-2000 2000-10 2010-20 1990 2000 2010 2020 19

Total, 16 years and older 125,840 142,583 153,889 164,360 16,743 11,306 10,471 13.3 7.9 6.8 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 

Age, years:

16 to 24 22,492 22,520 20,934 18,330 28 -1,586 -2,604 0.1 -7.0 -12.4 17.9 15.8 13.6 11.2 

25 to 54 88,322 101,394 102,940 104,619 13,072 1,546 1,679 14.8 1.5 1.6 70.2 71.1 66.9 63.7 55 and older 15,026 18,669 30,014 41,411 3,643 11,345 11,397 24.2 60.8 38.0 11.9 13.1 19.5 25.2 

Sex: Men 69,011 76,280 81,985 87,128 7,269 5,705 5,143 10.5 7.5 6.3 54.8 53.5 53.3 53.0 

 Women 56,829 66,303 71,904 77,232 9,474 5,601 5,328 16.7 8.4 7.4 45.2 46.5 46.7 47.0 

Race: White 107,447 118,545 125,084 130,516 11,098 6,539 5,432 10.3 5.5 4.3 85.4 83.1 81.3 79.4  Black 13,740 16,397 17,862 19,676 2,657 1,465 1,814 19.3 8.9 10.2 10.9 11.5 11.6 12.0 

 Asian 4,653 6,270 7,248 9,430 1,617 978 2,182 34.8 15.6 30.1 3.7 4.4 4.7 5.7  All other groups1 - 1,371 3,694 4,738 - 2,323 1,044 - - 28.3 - 1.0 2.4 2.9 

Ethnicity: Hispanic origin 10,720 16,689 22,748 30,493 5,969 6,059 7,745 55.7 36.3 34.0 8.5 11.7 14.8 18.6  Other than Hispanic origin 115,120 125,894 131,141 133,867 10,774 5,247 2,726 9.4 4.2 2.1 91.5 88.3 85.2 81.4 

 White non-Hispanic 97,818 102,729 103,947 102,371 4,911 1,218 -1,576 5.0 1.2 -1.5 77.7 72.0 67.5 62.3 Age of baby boomers 26 to 44 36 to 54 46 to 64 56 to 74

1 The “all other groups" category includes (1) those classified as being of multiple racial origin and (2) the race categories of (2a) American Indian and Alaska Native and (2b) Native Hawaiian and 

indicates no data collected for category. Details may not sum to totals because of rounding.

Table 1. Civilian labor force, by age, sex, race, and ethnicity, 1990, 2000, 2010, and projected 2020 

Age, sex, race, and 

ethnicity

Levels Change Percent change Percent distribution 
(In thousands)

2000 2010 2020 2000-10 2010-20 2000 2010 2020 200

Total1 146,236.0 143,068.2 163,537.1 -3,167.8 20,468.9 100.0 100.0 100.0 

Nonagriculture wage and salary2 132,425.0 130,435.6 150,176.8 -1,989.4 19,741.2 90.6 91.2 91.8 Goods-producing, excluding agriculture 24,569.7 17,705.5 19,496.8 -6,864.2 1,791.3 16.8 12.4 11.9 

Mining 520.4 655.9 680.7 135.5 24.8 0.4 0.5 0.4 Construction 6,786.4 5,525.6 7,365.1 -1,260.8 1,839.5 4.6 3.9 4.5 Manufacturing 17,262.9 11,524.0 11,450.9 -5,738.9 -73.1 11.8 8.1 7.0 

Services-providing 107,855.3 112,730.1 130,680.1 4,874.8 17,950.0 73.8 78.8 79.9 

Utilities 601.3 551.8 516.1 -49.5 -35.7 0.4 0.4 0.3 Wholesale trade 5,933.5 5,456.1 6,200.2 -477.4 744.1 4.1 3.8 3.8 Retail trade 15,279.8 14,413.7 16,182.2 -866.1 1,768.5 10.4 10.1 9.9 Transportation and warehousing 4,410.3 4,183.3 5,036.2 -227.0 852.9 3.0 2.9 3.1 Information 3,630.6 2,710.9 2,851.2 -919.7 140.3 2.5 1.9 1.7 Financial activities 7,687.5 7,630.2 8,410.6 -57.3 780.4 5.3 5.3 5.1 Professional and business services 16,666.1 16,688.0 20,497.0 21.9 3,809.0 11.4 11.7 12.5 Educational services 2,390.6 3,149.6 3,968.8 759.0 819.2 1.6 2.2 2.4 Health care and social assistance 12,718.3 16,414.5 22,053.9 3,696.2 5,639.4 8.7 11.5 13.5 Leisure and hospitality 11,861.6 13,019.6 14,362.3 1,158.0 1,342.7 8.1 9.1 8.8 Other services 5,885.7 6,031.3 6,850.7 145.6 819.4 4.0 4.2 4.2 

Federal government 2,865.0 2,968.0 2,596.0 103.0 -372.0 2.0 2.1 1.6 

State and local government 17,925.0 19,513.1 21,154.8 1,588.1 1,641.7 12.3 13.6 12.9 

Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting3 2,396.2 2,135.5 2,005.3 -260.7 -130.2 1.6 1.5 1.2 

Agriculture wage and salary 1,354.0 1,282.1 1,236.1 -71.9 -46.0 0.9 0.9 0.8 Agriculture self-employed and unpaid family workers 1,042.2 853.4 769.3 -188.8 -84.1 0.7 0.6 0.5 

Nonagriculture self-employed and unpaid family worker 9,313.7 8,943.8 9,720.6 -369.9 776.8 6.4 6.3 5.9 Secondary wage and salary jobs in agriculture and private household industries(4,5) 

141.7 111.6 112.7 -30.1 1.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 

Secondary jobs as a self-employed or unpaid family worker(4,6) 

1,959.4 1,441.7 1,521.7 -517.7 80.0 1.3 1.0 0.9 

4 Due to methodological changes, these data are not comparable to previously published numbers for these categories of secondary workers.1 Employment data for wage and salary workers are from the BLS Current Employment Statistics survey, which counts jobs, whereas self-employed, unpaid fam

agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting are from the Current Population Survey (household survey), which counts workers.

2 Includes wage and salary data from the Current Employment Statistics survey, except private households, which is from the Current Population Survey. Loggin

excluded.

3 Includes agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting data from the Current Population Survey, except logging, which is from Current Employment Statistics survey

wage and salary workers are excluded.

5 Workers who hold a secondary wage and salary job in agricultural production, forestry, fishing, and private household industries.

6 Wage and salary workers who hold a secondary job as a self-employed or unpaid family worker.

Table 2. Employment by major industry sector, 2000, 2010, and projected 2020

Industry Sector Employment Change Percent Distribution Ann
(In thousands)

2010 2020

23 Construction Construction 5,525.6 7,365.1 1,8

 

44, 45 Retail trade Retail trade 14,413.7 16,182.2 1,7

 

6211, 6212, 6213 Offices of health practitioners Health care and social assistance 3,818.2 5,209.6 1,3

 

622 Hospitals Health care and social assistance 4,685.3 5,563.6 6216 Home health care services Health care and social assistance 1,080.6 1,952.4 722 Food services and drinking places Leisure and hospitality 9,351.8 10,212.2 

6241 Individual and family services Health care and social assistance 1,215.0 2,066.4 623 Nursing and residential care facilities Health care and social assistance 3,129.0 3,951.0 42 Wholesale trade Wholesale trade 5,456.1 6,200.2 

NA General Local government educational services compensation State and local government 8,010.4 8,751.4 5415 Computer systems design and related services Professional and business services 1,441.5 2,112.8 

5613 Employment services Professional and business services 2,716.7 3,348.0 5416 Management, scientific, and technical consulting services Professional and business services 991.4 1,567.0 6112, 6113 Junior colleges, colleges, universities, and professional schools Educational services 1,694.0 2,171.1 

6214, 6215, 6219 Outpatient, laboratory, and other ambulatory care services Health care and social assistance 1,077.1 1,471.2 5413 Architectural, engineering, and related services Professional and business services 1,276.6 1,635.1 5617 Services to buildings and dwellings Professional and business services 1,742.5 2,044.8 484 Truck transportation Transportation and Warehousing 1,244.0 1,544.0 NA General State government educational services compensation State and local government 2,377.1 2,661.7 6244 Child day care services Health care and social assistance 851.8 1,101.3 

1 As defined by the 2007 North American Industrial Classification System codes (NAICS).

Table 3. The 20 industries with the largest projected wage and salary employment growth, 2010-20

Industry Description Sector

Employment

Industry Code1 Chan

2010
(In thousands)

2010 202

491 Postal Service Federal government 656.4 4NA General federal non-defense government compensation Federal government 1667.5 153151 Apparel knitting mills Manufacturing 157.7 5111 Newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers Information 501.3 43399 Other miscellaneous manufacturing Manufacturing 266.0 2NA General Federal defense government compensation Federal government 545.5 43341 Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing Manufacturing 161.6 13345 Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments 

manufacturing

Manufacturing 406.0 3

111 Crop production Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting 629.5 5

8123 Drycleaning and laundry services Other services 302.1 2

2211 Electric power generation, transmission and distribution Utilities 396.9 3

NA State government enterprises State and local government 517.8 43344 Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing Manufacturing 369.7 33342 Communications equipment manufacturing Manufacturing 118.0 

323 Printing and related support activities Manufacturing 486.9 4

3131 Fiber, yarn, and thread mills Manufacturing 237.8 2512 Motion picture, video, and sound recording industries Information 372.0 33335 Metalworking machinery manufacturing Manufacturing 153.2 13251 Basic chemical manufacturing Manufacturing 142.4 13363 Motor vehicle parts manufacturing Manufacturing 415.1 3

1 As defined by the 2007 North American Industrial Classification System codes (NAICS).Table 4. The 20 industries with the largest projected wage and salary employment declines, 2010-20

Industry Code1 Industry Description Sector

Employment
2010 2020 Number Percent

00-0000 Total, All Occupations 143,068.2 163,537.1 20,468.9 14.3 $33,840

31-0000 Healthcare Support Occupations 4,190.0 5,633.7 1,443.7 34.5 24,760

39-0000 Personal Care and Service Occupations 4,994.7 6,331.4 1,336.6 26.8 20,640

29-0000 Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations 7,799.3 9,819.0 2,019.7 25.9 58,490

21-0000 Community and Social Service Occupations 2,402.7 2,985.0 582.3 24.2 39,280

47-0000 Construction and Extraction Occupations 6,328.0 7,735.2 1,407.2 22.2 39,080

15-0000 Computer and Mathematical Occupations 3,542.8 4,321.1 778.3 22.0 73,720

13-0000 Business and Financial Operations Occupations 6,789.2 7,961.7 1,172.5 17.3 60,670

19-0000 Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations 1,228.8 1,419.6 190.8 15.5 58,530

25-0000 Education, Training, and Library Occupations 9,193.6 10,597.3 1,403.7 15.3 45,690

53-0000 Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 9,004.8 10,333.4 1,328.7 14.8 28,40049-0000 Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations 5,428.6 6,228.7 800.2 14.7 40,12027-0000 Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations 2,708.5 3,051.0 342.5 12.6 42,870

41-0000 Sales and Related Occupations 14,915.6 16,784.7 1,869.1 12.5 24,37037-0000 Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations 5,498.5 6,162.5 664.0 12.1 22,490

33-0000 Protective Service Occupations 3,302.5 3,667.0 364.5 11.0 36,660

23-0000 Legal Occupations 1,211.9 1,342.9 131.0 10.8 74,580

17-0000 Architecture and Engineering Occupations 2,433.4 2,686.2 252.8 10.4 70,610

43-0000 Office and Administrative Support Occupations 22,602.5 24,938.2 2,335.7 10.3 30,71035-0000 Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 11,150.3 12,242.8 1,092.5 9.8 18,77011-0000 Management Occupations 8,776.1 9,391.9 615.8 7.0 91,440

51-0000 Production Occupations 8,594.4 8,951.2 356.8 4.2 30,33045-0000 Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations 972.1 952.6 -19.4 -2.0 19,630Table 5: Employment by major occupational group, 2010 and projected 2020, and median annual wage, May 2010(In thousands)

2010 National Employment Matrix title and code Employment Change, 2010-20 Median annual wage, May

2010
(In thousands)

2010 2020 Number Percent Typical education needed for entry1

Registered nurses Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations 2,737.4 3,449.3 711.9 26.0 Associate's degree 

Retail salespersons Sales and Related Occupations 4,261.6 4,968.4 706.8 16.6 Less than high school 

Home health aides Healthcare Support Occupations 1,017.7 1,723.9 706.3 69.4 Less than high school Personal care aides Personal Care and Service Occupations 861.0 1,468.0 607.0 70.5 Less than high school 

Office clerks, general Office and Administrative Support Occupations 2,950.7 3,440.2 489.5 16.6 High school diploma or equivalent 

Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 2,682.1 3,080.1 398.0 14.8 Less than high school 

Customer service representatives Office and Administrative Support Occupations 2,187.3 2,525.6 338.4 15.5 High school diploma or equivalent 

Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 1,604.8 1,934.9 330.1 20.6 High school diploma or equivalent Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 2,068.2 2,387.3 319.1 15.4 Less than high school 

Postsecondary teachers Education, Training, and Library Occupations 1,756.0 2,061.7 305.7 17.4 Doctoral or professional degree 

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants Healthcare Support Occupations 1,505.3 1,807.2 302.0 20.1 Postsecondary non-degree award Childcare workers Personal Care and Service Occupations 1,282.3 1,544.3 262.0 20.4 High school diploma or equivalent Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks Office and Administrative Support Occupations 1,898.3 2,157.4 259.0 13.6 High school diploma or equivalent Cashiers Sales and Related Occupations 3,362.6 3,612.8 250.2 7.4 Less than high school Elementary school teachers, except special education Education, Training, and Library Occupations 1,476.5 1,725.3 248.8 16.8 Bachelor's degree 

Receptionists and information clerks Office and Administrative Support Occupations 1,048.5 1,297.0 248.5 23.7 High school diploma or equivalent 

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations 2,310.4 2,556.8 246.4 10.7 Less than high school 

Landscaping and groundskeeping workers Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations 1,151.5 1,392.3 240.8 20.9 Less than high school 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except 

technical and scientific products Sales and Related Occupations 1,430.0 1,653.4 223.4 15.6 High school diploma or equivalent 

Construction laborers Construction and Extraction Occupations 998.8 1,211.2 212.4 21.3 Less than high school 

Medical secretaries Office and Administrative Support Occupations 508.7 718.9 210.2 41.3 High school diploma or equivalent First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers Office and Administrative Support Occupations 1,424.4 1,627.8 203.4 14.3 High school diploma or equivalent 

Carpenters Construction and Extraction Occupations 1,001.7 1,197.6 196.0 19.6 High school diploma or equivalent Waiters and waitresses Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 2,260.3 2,456.2 195.9 8.7 Less than high school Security guards Protective Service Occupations 1,035.7 1,230.7 195.0 18.8 High school diploma or equivalent Teacher assistants Education, Training, and Library Occupations 1,288.3 1,479.3 191.1 14.8 High school diploma or equivalent Accountants and auditors Business and Financial Operations Occupations 1,216.9 1,407.6 190.7 15.7 Bachelor's degree 

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations 752.3 920.8 168.5 22.4 Postsecondary non-degree award 

Physicians and surgeons Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations 691.0 859.3 168.3 24.4 Doctoral or professional degree Medical assistants Healthcare Support Occupations 527.6 690.4 162.9 30.9 High school diploma or equivalent 

1 Represents the typical education level needed to enter the occupation. 2 Indicates if work experience in a related occupation is commonly considered necessary by employers for entry, or is a commonly accepted substitute for formal types of training.3 Indicates the typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the occupation.

NOTE: For more information about the education, work experience, and on-the-job training categories assigned to occupations, see www.bls.gov/emp/ep_education_training_system.htmTable 6. The 30 occupations with the largest projected employment growth, 2010-20 

Pre-employment

Occupation Occupational group

Employment Change
(In thousands)

2010 2020 Number Percent Typical education needed for entry1

Wo

i

o

Personal care aides Personal Care and Service Occupations 861.0 1,468.0 607.0 70.5 Less than high school Non

Home health aides Healthcare Support Occupations 1,017.7 1,723.9 706.3 69.4 Less than high school Non

Biomedical engineers Architecture and Engineering Occupations 15.7 25.4 9.7 61.7 Bachelor's degree Non

Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters Construction and Extraction Occupations 29.4 47.0 17.6 60.1 Less than high school NonHelpers--carpenters Construction and Extraction Occupations 46.5 72.4 25.9 55.7 Less than high school NonVeterinary technologists and technicians Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations 80.2 121.9 41.7 52.0 Associate's degree NonReinforcing iron and rebar workers Construction and Extraction Occupations 19.1 28.4 9.3 48.6 High school diploma or equivalent NonPhysical therapist assistants Healthcare Support Occupations 67.4 98.2 30.8 45.7 Associate's degree NonHelpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters Construction and Extraction Occupations 57.9 84.2 26.3 45.4 High school diploma or equivalent NonMeeting, convention, and event planners Business and Financial Operations Occupations 71.6 102.9 31.3 43.7 Bachelor's degree Less 

Diagnostic medical sonographers Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations 53.7 77.1 23.4 43.5 Associate's degree Non

Occupational therapy assistants Healthcare Support Occupations 28.5 40.8 12.3 43.3 Associate's degree NonPhysical therapist aides Healthcare Support Occupations 47.0 67.3 20.3 43.1 High school diploma or equivalent NonGlaziers Construction and Extraction Occupations 41.9 59.6 17.7 42.4 High school diploma or equivalent NonInterpreters and translators

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and MediaOccupations 58.4 83.1 24.6 42.2 Bachelor's degree Non

Medical secretaries Office and Administrative Support Occupations 508.7 718.9 210.2 41.3 High school diploma or equivalent Non

Market research analysts and marketing specialists Business and Financial Operations Occupations 282.7 399.3 116.6 41.2 Bachelor's degree Non

Marriage and family therapists Community and Social Service Occupations 36.0 50.8 14.8 41.2 Master's degree Non

Brickmasons and blockmasons Construction and Extraction Occupations 89.2 125.3 36.1 40.5 High school diploma or equivalent Non

Physical therapists Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations 198.6 276.0 77.4 39.0 Doctoral or professional degree Non

Dental hygienists Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations 181.8 250.3 68.5 37.7 Associate's degree NonBicycle repairers Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations 9.9 13.6 3.7 37.6 High school diploma or equivalent Non

Audiologists Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations 13.0 17.8 4.8 36.8 Doctoral or professional degree Non

Health educators Community and Social Service Occupations 63.4 86.6 23.2 36.5 Bachelor's degree NonStonemasons Construction and Extraction Occupations 15.6 21.4 5.7 36.5 High school diploma or equivalent NonCost estimators Business and Financial Operations Occupations 185.4 252.9 67.5 36.4 Bachelor's degree Non

Medical scientists, except epidemiologists Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations 100.0 136.5 36.4 36.4 Doctoral or professional degree NonMental health counselors Community and Social Service Occupations 120.3 163.9 43.6 36.3 Master's degree NonPile-driver operators Construction and Extraction Occupations 4.1 5.6 1.5 36.0 High school diploma or equivalent Non

Veterinarians Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations 61.4 83.4 22.0 35.9 Doctoral or professional degree Non

1 Represents the typical education level needed to enter the occupation. 2 Indicates if work experience in a related occupation is commonly considered necessary by employers for entry, or is a commonly accepted substitute for formal types of training.3 Indicates the typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the occupation.

NOTE: For more information about the education, work experience, and on-the-job training categories assigned to occupations, see www.bls.gov/emp/ep_education_training_system.htm.Table 7. The 30 occupations with the fastest projected employment growth, 2010-20 

Occupation Occupational group

Employment Change Pre-employment
(In thousands)

2010 2020 Number Percent Typical education needed for entry1 Work exp

related o

Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers Management Occupations 1,202.5 1,106.4 -96.1 -8.0 High school diploma or equivalent More than Postal Service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine 

operators Office and Administrative Support Occupations 142.0 73.0 -68.9 -48.5 High school diploma or equivalent None 

Sewing machine operators Production Occupations 163.2 121.1 -42.1 -25.8 Less than high school None 

Postal Service mail carriers Office and Administrative Support Occupations 316.7 278.5 -38.1 -12.0 High school diploma or equivalent None Switchboard operators, including answering service Office and Administrative Support Occupations 142.5 109.3 -33.2 -23.3 High school diploma or equivalent None Postal Service clerks Office and Administrative Support Occupations 65.6 34.0 -31.6 -48.2 High school diploma or equivalent None 

Cooks, fast food Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 530.4 511.4 -19.1 -3.6 Less than high school None 

Miscellaneous agricultural workers Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations 746.4 727.3 -19.1 -2.6 Less than high school None Data entry keyers Office and Administrative Support Occupations 234.7 218.8 -15.9 -6.8 High school diploma or equivalent None 

Word processors and typists Office and Administrative Support Occupations 115.3 102.1 -13.2 -11.5 High school diploma or equivalent None 

Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and

Related Workers Sales and Related Occupations 153.8 142.3 -11.5 -7.5 High school diploma or equivalent None 

Food Service Managers Management Occupations 320.6 310.0 -10.6 -3.3 High school diploma or equivalent 1 to 5 year

Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers Production Occupations 182.9 172.4 -10.4 -5.7 High school diploma or equivalent None 

File Clerks Office and Administrative Support Occupations 185.0 176.2 -8.8 -4.8 High school diploma or equivalent None 

Prepress Technicians and Workers Production Occupations 50.8 42.8 -8.1 -15.9 Postsecondary non-degree award None 

Computer Operators Office and Administrative Support Occupations 86.4 78.9 -7.4 -8.6 High school diploma or equivalent None Postmasters and Mail Superintendents Management Occupations 24.5 17.7 -6.8 -27.8 High school diploma or equivalent 1 to 5 yearOffice Machine Operators, Except Computer Production Occupations 69.8 63.0 -6.8 -9.7 High school diploma or equivalent None Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials Office and Administrative Support Occupations 57.8 51.0 -6.8 -11.8 Less than high school None Floral Designers

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and MediaOccupations 66.5 60.3 -6.2 -9.3 High school diploma or equivalent None 

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and

Gaugers Production Occupations 44.2 38.0 -6.2 -14.0 High school diploma or equivalent None 

Loan Interviewers and Clerks Office and Administrative Support Occupations 182.5 176.8 -5.7 -3.1 High school diploma or equivalent None 

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Production Occupations 90.9 85.3 -5.5 -6.1 High school diploma or equivalent None 

Chemical Plant and System Operators Production Occupations 43.3 38.0 -5.3 -12.2 High school diploma or equivalent None Table 8. The 30 occupations with the largest projected employment declines, 2010-20 

Occupation Occupational group

Employment Change Pre-employment

g pq 

Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine 

Operators Production Occupations 58.7 54.2 -4.5 -7.7 High school diploma or equivalent None 

Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and

Tenders Production Occupations 22.5 18.4 -4.1 -18.2 High school diploma or equivalent None 

Reporters and Correspondents

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and MediaOccupations 51.9 48.0 -3.9 -7.5 Bachelor's degree None 

Semiconductor Processors Production Occupations 21.1 17.3 -3.8 -17.9 Associate's degree None 

Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, 

Operators, and Tenders Production Occupations 29.0 25.4 -3.6 -12.4 High school diploma or equivalent None 

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Production Occupations 47.4 43.8 -3.5 -7.5 High school diploma or equivalent None 

1 Represents the typical education level needed to enter the occupation. 2 Indicates if work experience in a related occupation is commonly considered necessary by employers for entry, or is a commonly accepted substitute for formal types of training.3 Indicates the typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the occupation.

NOTE: For more information about the education, work experience, and on-the-job training categories assigned to occupations, see www.bls.gov/emp/ep_education_training_system.htm.
(In thousands)

2010 2020 2010 2020 Number Percent Number Percent distribution

Typical education needed for entry2

 Total, all occupations .................................... 143,068.2 163,537.1 100.0 100.0 20,468.9 14.3 54,787.4 100.0

Doctoral or professional degree........................... 4,409.7 5,286.3 3.1 3.2 876.6 19.9 1,701.8 3.1

Master's degree ............................................. 1,986.0 2,417.2 1.4 1.5 431.2 21.7 903.9 1.6Bachelor's degree .......................................... 22,171.1 25,827.2 15.5 15.8 3,656.1 16.5 8,562.4 15.6Associate's degree ........................................... 7,994.6 9,434.6 5.6 5.8 1,440.0 18.0 2,941.0 5.4Postsecondary non-degree award ..................... 6,524.0 7,624.9 4.6 4.7 1,100.9 16.9 2,389.6 4.4Some college, no degree.................................... 811.6 953.8 0.6 0.6 142.2 17.5 362.0 0.7

High school diploma or equivalent........................ 62,089.6 69,665.7 43.4 42.6 7,576.1 12.2 21,745.9 39.7

Less than high school....................................... 37,081.7 42,327.4 25.9 25.9 5,245.7 14.1 16,180.8 29.5 Total, all occupations .................................... 143,068.2 163,537.1 100.0 100.0 20,468.9 14.3 54,787.4 100.0

More than 5 years............................................. 4,612.4 4,956.0 3.2 3.0 343.6 7.4 1,368.5 2.5

1 to 5 years...................................................... 17,103.0 19,078.2 12.0 11.7 1,975.2 11.5 5,638.7 10.3

Less than 1 year............................................. 3,129.6 3,535.2 2.2 2.2 405.6 13.0 1,125.2 2.1None............................................................ 118,223.3 135,967.7 82.6 83.1 17,744.5 15.0 46,654.9 85.2Typical on-the-job training4

 Total, all occupations .................................... 143,068.2 163,537.1 100.0 100.0 20,468.9 14.3 54,787.4 100.0

Internship/residency.................................... 5,374.2 6,271.5 3.8 3.8 897.3 16.7 2,193.6 4.0Apprenticeship................................................ 2,539.0 3,109.2 1.8 1.9 570.2 22.5 1,183.0 2.2

Long-term...................................................... 7,039.0 7,920.5 4.9 4.8 881.5 12.5 2,545.5 4.6Moderate-term................................................ 25,007.0 28,244.5 17.5 17.3 3,237.5 12.9 8,682.0 15.8

Short-term................................................... 58,171.0 66,040.0 40.7 40.4 7,869.0 13.5 23,767.8 43.4None............................................................ 44,937.9 51,951.3 31.4 31.8 7,013.4 15.6 16,415.5 30.0NOTE: For more information about the education, work experience, and on-the-job training categories assigned to occupations, see www.bls.gov/emp/ep_education_training_system.htm.Work experience in a related occupation3

1Total job openings represent the sum of employment increases and replacement needs. If employment change is negative, then job openings 

due to growth are zero and total job openings equals replacements.

2 Represents the typical education level needed to enter the occupation. 

Education, work experience, and on-the-job 

training

Change, 2010-20

4 Indicates the typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the occupation.3 Indicates if work experience in a related occupation is commonly considered necessary by employers for entry, or is a commonly accepted 

subtitute for formal types of training.

Table 9. Employment and total job openings by education, work experience, and on-the-job training category, 2010 and projected 2020

Employment

Total job openings due 

to growth and 

replacement needs, 

2010-20 Number Percent distribution 1
(In thousands)

2010 2020 Number Percent Typical education needed for e

2

Retail Salespersons Sales and Related Occupations 4,261.6 4,968.4 706.8 16.6 1,251.9 1,958.7 Less than high school 

Cashiers Sales and Related Occupations 3,362.6 3,612.8 250.2 7.4 1,525.7 1,775.9 Less than high school Waiters and Waitresses Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 2,260.3 2,456.2 195.9 8.7 1,128.4 1,324.3 Less than high school Registered Nurses Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations 2,737.4 3,449.3 711.9 26.0 495.5 1,207.4 Associate's degree Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 2,682.1 3,080.1 398.0 14.8 748.5 1,146.5 Less than high school Office Clerks, General Office and Administrative Support Occupations 2,950.7 3,440.2 489.5 16.6 522.0 1,011.5 High school diploma or equivale

Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 2,068.2 2,387.3 319.1 15.4 661.1 980.2 Less than high school 

Customer Service Representatives Office and Administrative Support Occupations 2,187.3 2,525.6 338.4 15.5 621.2 959.6 High school diploma or equivale

Home Health Aides Healthcare Support Occupations 1,017.7 1,723.9 706.3 69.4 131.2 837.5 Less than high school 

Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

Building and Grounds Cleaning and MaintenanceOccupations 2,310.4 2,556.8 246.4 10.7 435.6 682.0 Less than high school 

Personal Care Aides Personal Care and Service Occupations 861.0 1,468.0 607.0 70.5 68.2 675.2 Less than high school 

Childcare Workers Personal Care and Service Occupations 1,282.3 1,544.3 262.0 20.4 403.8 665.8 High school diploma or equivale

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 1,604.8 1,934.9 330.1 20.6 319.3 649.4 High school diploma or equivalePostsecondary Teachers Education, Training, and Library Occupations 1,756.0 2,061.7 305.7 17.4 280.4 586.1 Doctoral or professional degree First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers Office and Administrative Support Occupations 1,424.4 1,627.8 203.4 14.3 381.0 584.4 High school diploma or equivaleElementary School Teachers, Except Special Education Education, Training, and Library Occupations 1,476.5 1,725.3 248.8 16.8 324.4 573.2 Bachelor's degree 

Receptionists and Information Clerks Office and Administrative Support Occupations 1,048.5 1,297.0 248.5 23.7 317.1 565.6 High school diploma or equivale

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products Sales and Related Occupations 1,430.0 1,653.4 223.4 15.6 336.5 559.9 High school diploma or equivaleFirst-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers Sales and Related Occupations 1,619.5 1,755.5 136.0 8.4 377.7 513.7 High school diploma or equivaleNursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants Healthcare Support Occupations 1,505.3 1,807.2 302.0 20.1 194.1 496.1 Postsecondary non-degree awaTeacher Assistants Education, Training, and Library Occupations 1,288.3 1,479.3 191.1 14.8 290.5 481.6 High school diploma or equivaleBookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks Office and Administrative Support Occupations 1,898.3 2,157.4 259.0 13.6 208.8 467.8 High school diploma or equivaleStock Clerks and Order Fillers Office and Administrative Support Occupations 1,787.4 1,808.3 20.9 1.2 444.1 465.0 Less than high school 

Accountants and Auditors Business and Financial Operations Occupations 1,216.9 1,407.6 190.7 15.7 261.4 452.1 Bachelor's degree Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

Building and Grounds Cleaning and MaintenanceOccupations 1,151.5 1,392.3 240.8 20.9 203.6 444.4 Less than high school 

General and Operations Managers Management Occupations 1,767.1 1,848.6 81.6 4.6 328.5 410.1 Associate's degree Carpenters Construction and Extraction Occupations 1,001.7 1,197.6 196.0 19.6 212.3 408.3 High school diploma or equivale

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive Office and Administrative Support Occupations 2,032.2 2,150.8 118.5 5.8 272.5 391.0 High school diploma or equivaleMaintenance and Repair Workers, General Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations 1,289.0 1,431.0 142.0 11.0 237.1 379.1 High school diploma or equivaleFood Preparation Workers Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 813.7 897.9 84.1 10.3 293.0 377.1 Less than high school 

NOTE: For more information about the education, work experience, and on-the-job training categories assigned to occupations, see www.bls.gov/emp/ep_education_training_system.htm.

1 Total job openings represent the sum of employment increases and replacements. If employment change is negative, then job openings due to growth are zero and total job openings equal replacements. For more information abo

Occupational Replacement Needs," on the Internet at www.bls.gov/emp/ep_replacements.htm.

2 Represents the typical education level needed to enter the occupation. 3 Indicates if work experience in a related occupation is commonly considered necessary by employers for entry, or is a commonly accepted substitute for formal types of training.4 Indicates the typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the occupation. 

Table 10. The 30 occupations with the largest projected number of total job openings due to growth and replacements, 2010-20

Occupation Occupational group

Employment Change

Replacement 

needs

Total job 

openings due to 

growth and 

replacements1

Pre-employm