US Employment Outlook

Employment Outlook Around The United States

Though the United States recently recorded a blip on its economic radar screen, future job growth looks promising. The technology slow down at the beginning of the millennium has not dampened the projected demand for related occupations. Eight of the ten fastest-growing jobs in the nation will be in the high tech field, with annual growth between five and ten percent. Wages will be highest for those with education, training, and experience.

As in North Dakota, the national need for healthcare workers will continue to expand as boomers age. A vast majority of the remaining fastest-growing occupations are in the healthcare field. Wages for these occupations should continue to be under pressure as facilities pay top dollar to attract and keep talent.

While North Dakota will see increases in technology and healthcare occupations, the nation's job growth will lean even more toward these fields, offering greater breadth and higher pay.

The lesson here is to figure out what you want to do and then find out where you are able to do it. It may be feasible in North Dakota; it may not. To find an ideal employment situation, you may need to be geographically flexible.

For more information on national employment projections, consult the Bureau of Labor Statistics website at www.bls.gov.

FASTEST-GROWING OCCUPATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES