More job openings result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations, retire, or stop working for some other reason than from growth. For example, employment of secretaries is projected to increase by 386,000 jobs by 2005, but net replacement needs are expected to provide more than twice as many openings. Even occupations with little or no projected job growth have some openings. For example, precision production occupations are expected to have 68,000 job openings annually due to net replacement needs. Chart omitted Unemployment rate.
Some occupations have high unemployment rates.
This does not necessarily disqualify them as high-paying jobs. Those that provide high hourly earnings and unemployment compensation can still yield a high annual income. Furthermore, many workers in these occupations do have steady year-round jobs. High unemployment rates are common in many construction occupations, such as carpenter and electrician, as well as manufacturing jobs, such as assembler and machine operator. Recession and seasonal changes in production create cyclical unemployment in many occupations.