The 1995-2005 Job Outlook in Brief
by Geoffrey C. Gradler and Kurt E. Schrammel
Geoffrey C. Gradler and Kurt E. Schrammel are economists in
the Office of Employment Projections, BLS.
"What do you want to be when you finish school?"
The answers you can give to this question keep changing.
Occupations that once offered solid careers are in decline,
while positions once unheard of are now among the
fastestgrowing. About the only thing that hasn't changed in
the past 40 years is the relentlesspace of change itself.
Consumer demand, technology, and business practices are all
inconstant flux. In today's rapidly changing, international
marketplace, it is increasinglyimportant for people who are
planning their careers to be aware of what occupations
willbe in demand in the future. We can not stop the tide;
the best we can do is to know whichway it is running.
For the U. S. economy as a whole, the tide is rising.
The $5-trillion economy of 1992 isprojected to reach $6 to
$7.2 trillion in 2005. Employment is expected to reach
147.5million in 2005, an increase of 22 percent or 26
million jobs above the 1992 level. Thefollowing pages point
out which occupations will benefit most from this growth and
whichwill lose out. They give the numerical and percent
change in employment and a summaryof job prospects for the
1992-2005 period for about 250 occupations.
The next few pages discuss factors that affect
employment in an occupation, describe theassumptions used in
making the projections, and discuss general trends.
Why Employment Changes
The number of workers employed in any occupation depends in
large part on the demandfor the goods or services provided
by those workers. Over the last decade or so, forexample,
increased use of computers by businesses, schools,
scientific organizations, andgovernment agencies has
contributed to large increases in the number of systems
analysts,programmers, and computer repairers. Even if the
demand for goods and servicesprovided by a group of workers
rises employment may not increase at all or may increasemore
slowly than demand because of changes in the ways goods are
produced andservices are provided. In fact, some changes in
technology and business practices causeemployment to
decline. For example, while the volume of paperwork to
process isexpected to increase dramatically, the employment
of typists and word processors willprobably fall. This
reflects the growing use of word processing equipment that
increasesthe productivity of these workers and permits other
office workers to do more of theirown typing.
Using information on the demand for goods and services,
advances in technology,changes in business practices, and
the occupational composition of industries, economistsat BLS
have developed three sets of projections of the economy in
2005. Each set wasdeveloped in light of a series of
assumptions about the future. The various sets
refleddifferent the assumptions about such factors as growth
of the labor force, output,productivity, inflation, and
unemployment. Referred to as the low-, moderate-, and high-
growth scenarios, each provides a different employment
estimate for most occupations.The scenarios should not be
viewed as the bounds of employment growth but
asillustrations of what might happen under different
conditions. All the data in the "Brief"come from the
moderate-growth projections. Any projection of future
employment growth is clouded by uncertainty.
Unforeseenchanges in technology or the balance of trade
could radically alter future employment forindividual
occupations. A few of the uncertainties that blur our view
of the economy in2005 are highlighted in the accompanying
box, "Past Trends and Future Uncertainties."
Employment Through the Year 2005
Between 1992 and 2005, employment will rise from 121.1
million to 147.5 million. Thissection gives a brief overview
of projected employment change. It focuses on thefollowing
12 clusters of occupations based on the Federal Government's
StandardOccupational Classification (SOC) system:
* Executive, administrative, and managerial occupations
* Professional specialty occupations
* Technicians and related support occupations
* Marketing and sales occupations
* Administrative support occupations, including clerical
* Service occupations
* Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and related occupations
* Mechanics, installers, and repairers
* Construction trades and extractive occupations
* Production occupations
* Transportation and material moving occupations
* Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers.
Keep in mind that a particular occupation may not follow the
trend projected for its group.Therefore, you should refer to
the table on pages XX to XX for the outlook in a
specificoccupation. An index of individual occupations
appears on page XX.
Executive, administrative, and managerial occupations.
Workers in executive,administrative, and managerial
occupations establish policies, make plans,
determinestaffing requirements, and direct the activities of
businesses, government agencies, andother organizations.
Workers in management support occupations, such as
accountant andauditor or underwriter, provide technical
assistance to managers.
Growth due to the increasing number and complexity of
business operations will beoffset somewhat by corporate
restructuring and downsizing of management, resulting
inaverage growth for executive, administrative, and
managerial occupations. Because theseworkers are employed
throughout the economy, differences in the rate of expansion
forindividual industries will produce varying rates of
employment change for particular kindsof managers and
support workers. For example, employment of health services
managerswill grow much faster than average, whereas
wholesale and retail buyers are expected togrow more slowly
than average.
Due to growth in the number of people seeking these
positions and the increasinglytechnical skills required,
jobseekers with previous work experience, specialized
training, orgraduate study have an advantage in competition
for jobs. Familiarity with computers willcontinue to be
helpful as more managers rely on computerized information
systems to helpdirect their organizations.
Professional specialty occupations. This group includes
engineers; architects andsurveyors; computer, mathematical,
and operations research occupations; life, physical,and
social scientists; lawyers and judges; social, recreational,
and religious workers;teachers, librarians, and counselors;
health diagnosing, assessment, and treatingoccupations; and
communications, visual arts, and performing arts
occupations.Professional workers may provide services or
conduct research and are employed inalmost every industry.
As a whole, this group is expected to continue to grow
faster than average and toincrease its share of total
employment significantly by 2005. However, growth rates
forindividual occupations are as diverse as the jobs these
workers perform. Occupations suchas physical therapist,
human services worker, operations research analyst, and
computerscientist and systems analyst are expected to grow
much faster than average. Others, suchas physicist and
astronomer, mining and nuclear engineer, and dentist should
grow moreslowly than average. Most new jobs will be in the
education, business, and health servicesindustries.
Technicians and related support occupations. This group
includes health technologistsand technicians, engineering
and science technicians, computer programmers,
toolprogrammers, aircraft pilots, air traffic controllers,
paralegals, broadcast technicians, andlibrary technicians.
These workers operate and program technical equipment and
assistengineers, scientists, physicians, and other
professional workers. Changes in technology,
demographics, and ways of conducting business will cause
someof these occupations to grow faster than others. Overall
employment is expected to growfaster than average. This
group contains one of the fastest growing occupations_
paralegal; its growth will result in part from the
increasing reliance of lawyers on theseworkers. Increased
demand for health services from a growing and aging
population willspur growth for radiological technologist,
medical record technician, surgical technologist,and
electroencephalographic (EEG) technologist. In fact, jobs
for health technologists andtechnicians are expected to
account for over half of all the new jobs in this
group.Employment of computer programmers will also continue
to grow rapidly, as moreorganizations use computers and the
number of computer applications increases.
Employment growth in other occupations in this group
will be limited. For example,because of laborsaving
technological advances, employment of broadcast
techniciansshould show little change and employment of air
traffic controllers should grow slowerthan average.
Marketing and sales occupations. Workers in this group
sell goods and services,purchase commodities and property
for resale, and stimulate consumer interest.Employment is
expected to grow as fast as average because of the increased
demand forfinancial, travel, and other services. However,
the rate of growth should be slower thanover the previous 13
years because these workers are concentrated in retail
trade, anindustry which will grow more slowly than in the
past.
A large number of part-time and full-time positions are
expected to be available forcashiers and retail trade sales
workers due to the large size and high turnover of
theseoccupations, as well as employment growth. Higher
paying sales occupations, such assecurities and financial
services sales worker, tend to be more competitive than
retail salesoccupations. Job opportunities will be best for
well-trained, personable, and ambitiouspeople who enjoy
selling.
Administrative support occupations, including clerical.
Workers in this group prepareand record memos, letters, and
reports; collect accounts; gather and distributeinformation;
operate office machines; and handle other administrative
tasks.
This occupational group will continue to employ the
largest number of workers,although growth is expected to be
at the low end of the average range. As a result,
theseoccupations will decline as a proportion of total
employment by 2005. Despite thetremendous increase expected
in the volume of clerical tasks to be done,
increasedautomation and other technological changes will
limit growth in many clericaloccupations, such as typist,
word processor, and data entry keyer;
bookkeeping,accounting, and auditing clerk; and telephone
operator. In contrast, teacher aide shouldgrow much faster
than average as schools increase their use of these
workers.Receptionists and information clerks are expected to
experience faster than averagegrowth because these workers
are concentrated in rapidly growing industries.
Because many administrative support occupations are
large and have relatively highturnover, opportunities should
be plentiful for full- and part-time jobs, even in
slowgrowing occupations.
Service occupations. This group includes a wide range
of workers in protective, foodand beverage preparation,
health, personal, private household, and cleaning and
buildingservices. These occupations, as a group, are
expected to grow faster than average becauseof a growing
population and economy. Higher personal incomes and
increased leisure timewill spur demand for many different
types of services. This group is projected to add thelargest
number of jobs of any occupational group in the 1992-2005
period.
Among protective service occupations, the employment of
guards is expected to risemuch faster than average because
of growing concern over crime. As the number ofprisoners and
correctional facilities increases, more correction officers
also will be needed.However, only average employment growth
is expected for police patrol officer andfirefighter because
only slow growth in local government spending is
anticipated. Employment growth will also be faster than
average for food preparation and serviceoccupations. Due to
the large size, high turnover, and fast growth of many food
serviceoccupations_such as chef, cook, and other kitchen
worker_both full- and part-time jobswill be plentiful.
Growth in personal service, cleaning, and private
household workers will vary widely.Homemaker-home health
aide should be one of the fastest growing occupations, in
partbecause of the substantial increase in the elderly
population. Private household workers,on the other hand,
will decline rapidly due to the shift from home to
institutional childcare.
Among health services occupations, medical
assistant_one of the fastest growingoccupations in the
economy_and nursing aide, orderly, and attendant will grow
muchfaster than average, in response to the aging population
and expanding health careindustry.
Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and related
occupations. Workers in these occupationscultivate plants,
breed and raise animals, and catch fish. Although demand for
food, fiber,and wood is expected to increase as the world's
population grows, the use of moreproductive farming and
forestry methods and the consolidation of small farms
areexpected to result in little or no employment change in
most of these occupations. Theemployment of farm operators
and farm workers is expected to decline rapidly,
reflectinggreater productivity; the need for skilled farm
managers, on the other hand, should result in average
employment growth for that occupation.
Mechanics, installers, and repairers. Workers in this
group adjust, maintain, and repairautomobiles, industrial
equipment, computers, and many other types of
machinery.Average overall growth is expected due to the
continued importance of mechanical andelectronic equipment
throughout the economy, but projections vary by occupation.
Dataprocessing equipment repairer is expected to be the
fastest growing occupation in thisgroup, reflecting the
increased use of these types of machines. In sharp contrast,
twooccupations_communications equipment mechanic, installer,
and repairer and telephoneinstaller and repairer_are
expected to decline in employment due to
laborsavingadvances.
Construction trades and extractive occupations. Workers
in this group construct, alter,and maintain buildings and
other structures or operate drilling and mining
equipment.Virtually all of the new jobs will be in
construction. An increase in the number ofhouseholds and
industrial plants, the desire to alter or modernize existing
structures, andthe need to maintain and repair highways,
dams, and bridges will result in averageemployment growth in
construction. In contrast, continued stagnation in the oil
and gasindustries and low growth in the demand for coal,
metal, and other minerals will result in adecline in
employment of extractive workers.
Because the construction industry is sensitive to
fluctuations in the Nation's economy,employment in
construction occupations varies from year to year. Many
constructionworkers become unemployed during downturns in
construction activity.
Production occupations. These workers set up, adjust,
operate, and tend machinery anduse handtools and hand-held
power tools to make goods and assemble products. Increasesin
imports, overseas production, and automation_including
robotics and advancedcomputer techniques_will result in a
slight decline in overall employment. For a fewoccupations,
however, employment growth is expected. Expansion of the
printing andpublishing industry, for example, will create
average employment growth for printing pressoperator.
Many production occupations are sensitive to
fluctuations in the business cycle andcompetition from
imports. When factory orders decline, workers face
shortenedworkweeks, layoffs, and plant closings.
Transportation and material moving occupations. Workers
in this group operate theequipment used to move people and
materials. Although overall employment is expectedto grow
about as fast as average, prospects vary by occupation.
Subway operator willgrow much faster than average as more
cities build new systems and expand existing ones.Faster
than average growth is expected for school busdriver, and
average growth isexpected for taxidriver and chauffeur.
These projections reflect rising school enrollmentsand
growing demand for transportation services. However, slower
than average growth isexpected in the employment of material
moving equipment operator because of theincreased use of
automated material handling systems.
Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers.
Workers in these occupationsassist skilled workers and
perform routine tasks. Overall employment is expected to
growabout as fast as the average for all occupations. Growth
will be limited in someoccupations, such as machine feeder,
due to automation. Many opportunities will arisefrom the
need to replace workers who leave these occupations, because
turnover is veryhigh. However, economic downturns may
substantially lower the number of openings,particularly for
construction laborer and other occupations in industries
that are highlysensitive to changes in the economy.
Information in the "Brief"
"The Job Outlook in Brief" provides thumbnail sketches of
employment data for eachoccupation in the Occupational
Outlook Handbook, 1994-95 edition, on which it is
based.Nearly all employment estemets are from the BLS
industry-occupation matrix.Throughout this article,
employment growth rates are compared to the average for
alloccupations; the box, "Key Phrases in the Brief,"
explains the terms used. The box alsoexplains the phrases
used to describe the amount of competition jobseekers are
likely toencounter. The description of the relationship
between the supply of, and the demand for,workers in a
specific occupation is highly subjective. It is based on
information obtainedfrom technical journals and other
relevant literature, interviews with occupational
experts,historical data, and the judgment of the analyst who
studied the occupation. Assessing thedegree of competition
is difficult, although for occupations with lengthy training
and strictentry requirements, it can be done with some
accuracy. However, because mostoccupations have several
routes of entry and flexible requirements, the potential
supply ofworkers is difficult to measure. For many
occupations, therefore, no description of jobopportunities
or competition is given.
One last factor to remember when checking the outlook
for an occupation is that growthin employment is only one
source of job openings. In fact, BLS projects that 53
percent ofall job openings over the 1992-2005 period will
arise because of the need to replaceworkers who transfer to
other occupations or leave the labor force. As a result,
evenoccupations with slower than average growth may offer
many jobs for new workers; thisis especially true of large
occupations.
Beyond the "Brief"
"The Job Outlook in Brief" is only a starting point for the
exploration of economicprojections or careers. The
projections in it were produced by BLS as part of
itsemployment projections program, which develops new sets
of projections every 2 years.Besides occupational
employment, BLS also projects industry employment,
industryoutlook, labor force activity, and numerous
components of the gross domestic product.This information is
available in a variety of publications designed to meet
different needs.
The fall 1993 issue of the Occupational Outlook
Quarterly contains more than 40 chartsthat illustrate the
economic. labor force, and employment projections.
Considerably moredetail is available in the November 1993
issue of the Monthly Labor Review. Thesearticles_along with
additional data_are reprinted in BLS Bulletin 2452, The
AmericanWork Force: 1992-2005 (price: $X.XX). Occupational
Projections and Training Data,1994 edition, (Bulletin 2451,
price: $X.XX) is statistical supplement to the
OccupationalOutlook Handbook containing current and
projected employment estimates for about 500occupations. It
also presents information on occupational separation rates,
unemploymentrates, and the demographic characteristics of
workers when such information is available. People weighing
the advantages of different career choices will probably
find two otherBLS publications more useful than the
technical ones: Occupational Outlook Handbook,1994-95
edition (Bulletin 2450, price: $X.XX) and "Matching Yourself
With the World ofWork in 1992" (price: $1). "The Job
Outlook in Brief" provides outlook information in a format
that allows easycomparison of job prospects in different
fields, employment prospects are not the onlyconsideration
when choosing a certain career. Matching your goals and
abilities to thework done on the job and the education
required is another important part of choosing acareer.
Where you want to live and how much money you want to earn
also are important.Information like this appears in the
Handbook and "Matching."
The Handbook has been a major source of career guidance
information for more than 40years. It contains more about
the outlook for each of the occupations in the "Brief,"
aswell as information about the nature of the work, training
and personal qualifications,earnings, and other subjects.
Originally published in the Fall 1992 OOQ, "Matching" is
a20-page, tabular presentation similar in format to the
"Brief." Rather than outlook, Ithighlights significant job
characteristics, including educational level required,
workingconditions, and interaction with data, people, and
things (price: $X.XX).
Additional information on job growth also is available
from State Job Service offices.The outlook for many
occupations varies considerably among local job markets.
Forexample, sections of the country with slow population
growth may have less need forelementary school teachers than
regions with high growth. State Job Service offices,
listedin the State government section of local telephone
directories, can provide information onlocal labor market
conditions. Also, see the section on "Sources of State and
Local JobOutlook Information" in the Handbook.
Ordering Information
BLS publications are usually available in libraries, career
centers, and the offices of schoolguidance counselors and
employment counselors. They are sold by the
GovernmentPrinting Office. Send orders to either of the
following addresses:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Publication
Sales Center
P.O. Box 2145
Chicago, IL 60690
New Orders
Superintendent of Documents
P.O. Box 371954
Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954.Payment by check, money order,
VISA, MasterCard, or GPO deposit account mustaccompany your
order. Make check or money order payable to the
Superintendent ofDocuments.Key Phrases in the "Brief"
Changing employment between 1992 and 2005
If the statement about growth reads... Employment is
projected to...
------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------
Much faster than average Increase 41 percent or more
Faster than average Increase 27 to 40 percent
About as fast as average Increase 14 to 26 percent
Little change or more slowly
than average Increase 0 to 13
Decline Decrease 1 percent or more
Opportunities and competition for jobs
If the statement about opportunities reads... Job
openings compared to
job seekers may be...
Excellent Much more numerous
Very good More numerous
Good or favorable About the same
May face competition Fewer
May face keen competition Much fewer
Reprints of this article will be sold by the Superintendent
of Documents, U.S. GovernmentPrinting Office, Washington, DC
20402.
The 1992-2005 Job Outlook in Brief
Key:
-----
Occupation Subgroup
Estimated employment 1992
Percent change in employment 1992-2005
Numerical change in employment 1992-2005
EXECUTIVE, ADMINISTRATIVE, AND MANAGERIAL OCCUPATIONS
Accountants and auditors
939,000
32
304,000
Faster than average employment growth will be spurred
byincreases in the number of businesses and the complexity
offinancial information. In addition to setting up books
andpreparing taxes, more accountants and auditors will
beneeded to tailor financial information and
advisemanagement individually. Those with a bachelor's or
higherdegree in accounting, particularly CPA's, should have
goodjob opportunities; however, competition will remain keen
forprestigious jobs with major accounting and business
firms.
Administrative services
226,000
13
30,000
Slower than average employment growth will result
frommanagerscorporate restructuring and contracting of
administrativeservices in an effort to cut costs will result
in . However,demand for these managers will increase in
managementservices, management consulting, and facilities
supportservices firms to which these services are
contracted. Theample supply of competent, experienced
workers seekingadvancement will result in competition for
these jobs.
Budget analysts
67,000
20
13,000
Average employment growth is expected for budget
analysts.Businesses and governments seeking to increase
theirefficiency will create a strong demand for these
workers.However, computer-induced productivity gains will
offsetsome of the demand. The large number of qualified
applicantswill contribute to competition for positions.
Jobseekers with atleast a 4-year college degree, some
experience, and afamiliarity with financial software
packages will have the bestopportunities.
Construction and building
66,000
30
20,000
Faster than average employment
inspectorsgrowth will stem from increases in the amount
andcomplexity of construction projects, rising concern for
publicsafety, and improved quality. Job prospects will be
best forexperienced craft workers who have some college
educationor certification.
Construction contractors
180,000
47
85,000
Much faster than average growth should result from increases
and managers in the size and complexity of construction and
increasedspending on the Nation's infrastructure_highways,
bridges,dams, schools, subways, airports, and water and
sewagesystems. Particularly favorable prospects are expected
forexperienced construction managers with a bachelor's
orhigher degree in construction science with an emphasis
onconstruction management.
Cost estimators
163,000
30
49,000
Employment is expected to increase faster than average
asmore estimators will be needed to project the cost
ofconstruction and manufacturing projects. In construction,
jobprospects should be best for those workers who
havesubstantial experience in construction or those with a
degreein construction management, engineering, or
architecturaldrafting. In manufacturing, experienced people
with degreesin engineering, science, mathematics,
businessadministration, or economics and who have
computerexpertise should have the best job prospects.
Education administrators
351,000
23
81,000
Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average
asschool enrollments rise, services provided to students
grow,efforts to improve the quality of education continue,
andinstitutions comply with government regulations.
However,stiff competition is expected. Candidates who have
doctoratedegrees and are willing to relocate should have the
best jobprospects.
Employment interviewers
79,000
22
17,000
Average growth is expected. Most new jobs will be
withtemporary help or personnel supply firms; little growth
isexpected in State job service offices. Job opportunities
will bebest for college graduates.
Engineering, science, and data
337,000
32
106,000
Employment, which is expected to increase processing
managers faster than average, is closely related to the
growth of theoccupations these workers supervise and to
changes in theindustries in which they are found. Underlying
much of thegrowth of managers in science and engineering
arecompetitive pressures and advancing technologies,
whichforce companies to update and improve products
morefrequently. Employment of data processing managers
willincrease rapidly due to the expansion of the computer
anddata processing services industry and the
increasedemployment of computer systems analysts.
Financial managers
701,000
25
174,000
Average employment growth is expected. The need for
skilledfinancial management will increase due to the demands
ofglobal trade, the proliferation of complex
financialinstruments, and changing laws and regulations;
however,many firms are reducing their ranks of middle
managers inan effort to be more efficient, thus preventing
dramaticemployment growth. Like other managerial
occupations, thenumber of applicants for financial
management jobs isexpected to exceed the number of job
openings, resulting incompetition for jobs.
Funeral directors
27,000
18
4,700
Average employment growth is expected, as demand forfuneral
services rises with the number of deaths.
Employmentopportunities are expected to be excellent because
the numberof graduates in mortuary science is likely to
continue to beless than the number of job openings in the
field.
General managers and top
2,871,000
13
380,000
Slower than average employment executives growth is expected
as companies restructure managerial hierarchies to cut
costs. Projected employment growth varieswidely by industry;
for example, employment in the servicesindustries will rise
faster than average while that inmanufacturing declines.
Competition will remain keen forthese top managerial jobs.
Government chief executives
73,000
3
2,200
Little, if any, employment growth and legislators is
expected because few, if any, new governments are likely
toform and the number of chief executives and legislators
inexisting governments rarely changes. Small increases
willoccur as growing communities become independent and
electa chief executive and legislators. A few new positions
willdevelop as cities and counties without managers hire
themand as unpaid positions_which are not counted
asemployment_are converted to paid positions.
Generally,there is less competition in small jurisdictions
than in largejurisdictions.
Health services managers
302,000
45
135,000
Much faster than average growth is expected as the
healthcare industry expands and diversifies. Most new jobs
will bein hospitals, offices and clinics of physicians,
nursingfacilities, and home health care.
Hotel managers and assistants
99,000
23
23,000
Job growth is expected to be about as fast as average
withgrowth in business and vacation travel and foreign
tourism.People with college degrees in hotel or
restaurantmanagement will have the best opportunities.
Industrial production
203,000
2
4,800
Little change in managers employment is expected as the
trend toward smallermanagement staffs and the lack of growth
in the employmentof production workers limit demand.
Opportunities should bebest for MBA's with undergraduate
engineering degrees andcollege graduates with degrees in
industrial engineering orbusiness administration.
Inspectors and compliance
155,000
27
41,000
Faster than average growth is officers, except construction
expected due to growing public demand for a saferenvironment
and higher quality products. Employmentgrowth in government
will stem from the expansion ofregulatory and compliance
programs; in private industry,from increasing self-
enforcement, particularly amongfranchise dealerships, which
are growing rapidly.
Loan officers and counselors
172,000
40
68,000
Faster than average employment growth is expected as
thepopulation and economy grow, increasing the number
ofapplications for commercial, consumer, and mortgage
loans.Growth in the variety and complexity of loans and
theimportance of loan officers to the success of banks and
otherlending institutions should also assure rapid
employmentgrowth. College graduates and those with banking
andlending experience should have the best job prospects.
Management analysts
208,000
43
89,000
Much faster than average employment growth is projected and
consultants because of the tendency for businesses to rely
on outsideexperts for many functions previously carried out
internally.Demand also will be driven by the need for firms
to improveperformance, expand markets, incorporate new
technologies,cope with government regulations, and adapt to
a changinglabor force. Despite projected rapid employment
growth,jobseekers will face keen competition.
Marketing, advertising, and
432,000
36
156,000
Faster than average growth is public relations managers
expected due to increasingly intense domestic and
globalcompetition. Many of these highly coveted jobs will be
soughtby other managers and other experienced people,
resulting insubstantial competition. College graduates with
extensiveexperience, a high level of creativity, and
strongcommunication skills should have the best job
opportunities.
Personnel, training, and
474,000
32
150,000
Faster than average growth is expected labor relations
Greater resources will be devoted to job-specific training
and managers programs in response to the growing complexity
of manyjobs, the aging of the work force, and technological
advancesthat can leave employees with obsolete skills. In
addition,legislation and court rulings setting standards in
occupationalsafety and health; equal employment opportunity;
wages; andhealth, pension, family leave, and other benefits
will spur jobgrowth. The job market is likely to remain
competitive inview of the abundant supply of qualified
college graduatesand experienced workers.
Property and real estate
243,000
35
85,000
Faster than average employment managers is expected to
result from increases in the number of officebuildings,
retail properties, and apartment and condominiumcomplexes
requiring management. Opportunities should bebest for people
with college degrees in businessadministration and related
fields.
Purchasers and buyers
624,000
8
49,000
Employment is expected to grow more slowly than average
asdemand is restricted by the consolidation of
buyingdepartments resulting from mergers, changes in the
waypurchases are made, and increases in the use of
automatedsystems.
Restaurant and food
496,000
46
227,000
Job growth is expected to service managers be much faster
than average. Population growth, risingpersonal incomes, and
increased leisure time will continue toproduce growth in the
number of eating and drinkingestablishments and, therefore,
of managers. People withcollege degrees in restaurant or
institutional food servicemanagement will have the best
opportunities.
Retail managers
1,070,000( )
15
162,000
Employment is expected to increase about as fast as
averageas an increase in the number of retail establishments
is offsetby labor-saving innovations, such as computerized
registersand inventory control systems. Competition is
expected forjobs that offer the highest earnings or best
workingconditions. Candidates with retail experience will
have thebest opportunities.
Underwriters
100,000
24
24,000
Jobs should increase about as fast as average. Demand
formore life, property, and casualty insurance should
risebecause of population growth_especially of people in
their40's and 50's, the age groups that tend to be most
concernedabout liability and financial security.
PROFESSIONAL SPECIALTY OCCUPATIONS
Engineers
1,354,000( )
23
306,000
Employment is expected to grow as fast as average because
ofrising investment in plant and equipment to
increaseproductivity and expand the output of goods and
services. Jobopportunities in engineering have been good for
a number ofyears, and this trend is expected to continue.
However, manyjobs in engineering are related to national
defense. Defenseexpenditures will decline, so the job
outlook for engineerswill not be as strong as in the 1980's,
when defenseexpenditures were increasing.
Aerospace engineers
66,000
14
9,200
Employment growth is expected to be slower than average,due
to declining purchases of military aircraft and only
slowgrowth of the commercial aircraft industry. Keen
competitionis expected.
Chemical engineers
52,000
19
10,000
Employment growth is expected to be as fast as
average.Although employment in the chemical
manufacturingindustry is expected to grow very little, the
relatively smallnumber of chemical engineering graduates
should findfavorable job opportunities. The production of
industrialchemicals, biotechnology, and materials science
may providebetter opportunities than other segments of the
chemicalmanufacturing industry.
Civil engineers
173,000
24
41,000
Employment is expected to increase about as fast as
average,spurred by population growth and an expanding
economy.More civil engineers will be needed to design and
constructhigher capacity transportation, water supply, and
pollutioncontrol systems and large buildings; the repair or
replacementof existing roads, bridges, and other public
structures willalso stimulate demand.
Electrical and
370,000
24
90,000
Average growth is expected, with the electronics engineers
fastest growth anticipated outside manufacturing.
Increaseddemand for computers and communications equipment
isexpected to account for much of the projected
employmentgrowth. However. layoffs of electrical engineers
could resultfrom cutbacks in defense spending.
Industrial engineers
19,000
17
20,000
Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average
dueto industrial growth, the increased complexity of
businessoperations, and the rising use of automation in
factories andoffices. The function of industrial
engineers_to improveproducts and productivity_should keep
their services indemand and job opportunities favorable.
Mechanical engineers
227,000
20
46,000
Employment is expected to increase about as fast as
average.Even in manufacturing, which is expected to decline
overall,the employment of mechanical engineers should
increasebecause industrial machinery and processes are
becomingincreasingly complex. Although many
mechanicalengineering jobs are in defense-related industries
andreductions will probably continue in these industries,
rapidgrowth in other industries should make job
opportunitiesfavorable overall.
Metallurgical, ceramic, and
19,000
28
5,400
Employment is expected to increase materials engineers
faster than average. Research, testing, engineering,
andarchitectural services should provide significant numbers
ofjob openings.
Mining engineers
3,600
3
( )
Little change in employment is expected. The small numberof
new graduates, however, is expected to find favorable
jobopportunities.
Nuclear engineers
17,000
1
(3)
Although employment is expected to change
little,opportunities should be good because the number of
peoplegraduating with degrees in nuclear engineering is
likely to below and in rough balance with the number of job
openings.
Petroleum engineers
14,000
-2
(3)
Employment is expected to decline unless oil and gas
pricesrise enough to increase exploration in this country,
which isunlikely. Even without job growth, opportunities
forpetroleum engineers should be good because the number
ofdegrees granted in petroleum engineering is low.
Architects and surveyors
Architects
96,000
26
25,000
Employment is expected to grow as fast as average as
newconstruction spurs demand. Competition for jobs will be
keen,however, particularly during recessions. Architects
familiarwith computer aided design technology may have
betteropportunities, especially when the job market is
tight.
Landscape architects
19,000
26
5,000
Average employment growth is expected, in keeping
withanticipated growth in construction. Landscape architects
willbe needed to design and develop land surrounding
newconstruction, convert open space into recreation areas
andparks, and refurbish existing sites.
Surveyors
99,000
13
13,000
Jobs are expected to increase more slowly than average.
Jobgrowth will not keep pace with construction activity
becausenew technology makes workers more productive. Growth
willfluctuate from year to year because construction is
sensitive toswings in the overall economy. Opportunities
should be bestfor people with at least a bachelor's degree.
Computer, mathematical, and operations research occupations
Actuaries
15,000
29
4,300
Despite expected faster than average employment
growth,especially for consulting actuaries, the number of
jobopenings will be low because of the small size of
thisoccupation. Relatively high potential earnings make
theoccupation attractive to many who have a
mathematicalaptitude, thereby increasing competition.
Computer scientists and systems analysts
666,000
111
737,000
Employment is expected to grow much faster than average as
organizations demand technologicaladvances to maximize the
efficiency of their computersystems and increasingly
recognize the need to designcomputer networks that will
facilitate the sharing ofinformation. Individuals with
advanced degrees in computer science should enjoy very
favorable job prospects. Those witha bachelor's degree in
computer science, computerengineering, information science,
or information systems alsoshould have good prospects for
employment.
Mathematicians
16,000
8
1,200
Expected slowdowns in research and development will resultin
slower than average employment growth. Job opportunitieswill
be best for those whose educational background includesboth
mathematics and a related discipline, such as
computerprogramming, operations research, or engineering.
Operations research analysts
45,000
61
27,000
Employment is expected to grow much faster than averagedue
to the increasing importance of quantitative analysis
indecisionmaking and the increasing availability of
computingresources. Much of the expected growth will be in
thetransportation, manufacturing, finance, and
servicesindustries. Job opportunities will be best for those
who hold amaster's or Ph.D.
Statisticians
16,000
9
1,500
The number of jobs for statisticians is expected to grow
moreslowly than average. Workers with a bachelor's degree
instatistics and a strong background in
mathematics,engineering, or physical or computer science
will have thebest prospects for finding jobs..
Life scientists
Agricultural scientists
29,000
14
4,200
Overall, average employment growth is expected
foragricultural scientists. Continued interest in the
environmentand in improved food products and processing
techniques willspur demand for soil scientists and food
technologists.Animal and plant scientists with a background
in molecularbiology, microbiology, genetics, or
biotechnology also shouldhave good opportunities. However,
budget cuts may limitfunding for basic research, creating
keen competition forthese jobs.
Biological and medical
117,000
27
31,000
Efforts to clean up and
scientists
preserve the environment, use biological methods to
developand produce goods, and expand health-related research
willfuel demand for biological and medical scientists,
leading tofaster than average employment growth.
Nevertheless, budgettightening may slow funding of
government research grants,creating competition for
positions.
Foresters and conservation scientists
35,000
12
4,300
Slower than average employment growth is expected for
foresters and conservationscientists, partly due to
budgetary constraints in the Federalgovernment, where
employment is concentrated.Opportunities will be better in
private industry and State andlocal governments, where
demand will increase in response toa growing emphasis on
environmental protection andresponsible land management.
Physical scientists
Chemists
92,000
21
20,000
Average employment growth is expected. Demand for
newconsumer goods such as better pharmaceuticals, personal
careproducts, and specialty chemicals designed to address
specificproblems will counterbalance the slower growth
expected inother types of research and development.
Geologists and geophysicists
48,000
22
11,000
Average employment growth is expected. Althoughemployment
prospects are uncertain in the petroleumindustry, demand for
these professionals in environmentalprotection and
reclamation is expected to be strong.
Meteorologists
6,100
24
1,500
Average employment growth will result both from hiring bythe
National Weather Service to improve short-term andlocal-area
weather forecasts and from the growth of
privateenvironmental, weather, and consulting firms.
Physicists and astronomers
21,000
-3
-700
Small employment declines will result from the
expectedreduction of civilian and defense-related research.
Lawyers and judges
716,000
28
197,000
Jobs for lawyers are expected to increase faster than
average in response to growth in population and business
activity.Employment of judges is expected to increase more
slowly than average as public concern about crime is
tempered by tight government budgets. Keen competition for
job openingsis expected for both occupations.
Social scientists and urban planners
258,000
37
95,000
Faster than average growth is expected due to rising concern
over theenvironment, crime, communicable diseases, mental
illness,and the growing elderly and homeless populations,
the increasingly competitive global economy, and a wide
range ofother issues. Job prospects are best for those with
advanceddegrees and are generally better in disciplines
which offermany opportunities in nonacademic settings.
Competitionmay ease for academic jobs due to an expected
wave ofretirements among college and university faculty.
Economists and marketing research analysts
51,000
25
13,000
Average growth is expected due to the increasingly complex
and competitiveglobal economy and increased reliance on
quantitativemethods of analyzing business trends,
forecasting sales, andplanning. Graduates with related work
experience or anadvanced degree should have the best job
opportunities.Training in quantitative techniques and their
application toeconomic modeling, forecasting, and marketing
researchprovide applicants with the most marketable skills.
Psychologists
143,000
48
69,000
Much faster than average growth is expected for
severalreasons: Increased emphasis on mental health
maintenance inconjunction with the treatment of physical
illness; publicconcern for the development of human
resources, includingthe growing elderly population;
increased testing andcounseling of children; interest in
rehabilitation of prisoners;and development of programs to
combat substance abuse,crime, marital strife, and other
problems plaguing society.Opportunities are best for
candidates with a doctoral degreein applied specialties.
Graduates with a master's degree mayencounter competition
for the limited number of jobs forwhich they qualify, while
bachelor's degree holders canexpect very few opportunities
directly related to psychology.
Sociologists
( )
(4)
(4)
Job growth will stem from increasing demand for research
insuch fields as demography, criminology, and gerontology
andfrom the need to evaluate and administer social and
welfareprograms. Sociologists well-trained in quantitative
researchmethods and practical rather than theoretical
sociologyshould have the widest choice of jobs. Ph.D.'s have
the bestopportunities for academic positions and will find
thatnonacademic opportunities also are expanding. People
with amaster's degree face keen competition for academic
positionsbut will be able to enter sociological practice.
Urban and regional planners
28,000
23
6,400
Average growth will stem from the importance of planning
inseveral fields. Those with certification or a master's
degreefrom an accredited planning program, or a master's
degree incivil engineering or landscape architecture coupled
withtraining in transportation or environmental planning
have thebest job prospects. Graduates with an accredited
bachelor'sdegree in planning have relatively good job
prospects.
Social and recreation workers
Human services workers
189,000
136
256,000
Jobs are expected to increase much faster than average due
tothe expansion of facilities and programs for the elderly
anddisabled and the provision of more services for families
incrisis. Opportunities for qualified people should be
excellentdue to high job turnover, relatively low pay, and
thedemanding nature of the work.
Social workers
484,000
40
191,000
Faster than average job growth is expected in response to
theincreased needs of the elderly, mentally ill, and
disabled aswell as individuals and families in crisis. Some
of the needwill be met through greater use of human services
workers toassist social workers. Competition for social
worker jobs isexpected in some areas.
Recreation workers
204,000
38
78,000
Employment is expected to grow faster than average
inresponse to population growth, increased interest in
healthand fitness, and rising demand for organized
recreationalactivities. Competition is expected for full-
time careerpositions, but opportunities for seasonal and
part-time workshould be good.
Religious workers
Protestant ministers
290,000
( )
(6)
Competition is expected to continue due to the slow growth
of church membership and the large number of men and women
attracted to the profession. Graduates of theological
schools should have the best opportunities.
Rabbis
3,9005
(6)
(6)
Job opportunities are expected to be generally favorable in
thefour major branches of Judaism. Present unmet needs
forrabbis, together with the many rabbis approaching
retirementage, should insure that the relatively constant
numbers ofpeople completing rabbinical training should have
good jobprospects.
Roman Catholic priests
53,0005
(6)
(6)
Opportunities are expected to continue to be very
favorabledue to a shortage of priests. The number of men
becomingpriests in recent years has not been, and will not
be, enoughto meet needs even if seminary enrollments
continue theirrecent slow increase, especially in light of
the growingnumbers of priests reaching retirement age.
Teachers, librarians, and counselors
Adult education teachers
540,000
32
172,000
Employment is expected to grow faster than average as
thedemand for adult education programs continues to rise.
Tokeep abreast of changes in their fields and advances
intechnology, an increasing number of adults are taking
coursesto advance their careers, upgrade their skills, and
enrich theirlives. Opportunities will be best in computer
technology,automotive mechanics, medical technology, and
other fieldsthat offer attractive, and often higher paying,
jobs outside ofteaching.
Archivists and curators
19,000
18
3,500
Average employment growth is expected. More archivists
willbe needed as institutions put more emphasis on
establishingarchives and organizing records. Museums and
botanical andzoological gardens, where curators are
concentrated, areexpected to grow in response to increased
interest in science,art, history, and technology. However,
competition for jobs isexpected to be keen. Graduates with
highly specializedtraining and practical work experience
have the bestopportunities.
College and university faculty
812,000
26
214,000
Employment is expected to increase about as fast as average
as enrollmentin higher education increases. In addition,
retirements shouldbegin increasing in the late 1990's,
resulting in improvedopportunities for college faculty
positions and tenure. Fewerfaculty members should have to
take part-time or short-termappointments. Job prospects will
continue to be better in suchfields as business,
engineering, health science, computerscience, physical
sciences, and mathematics than in otherspecialties, largely
because very attractive nonacademic jobswill be available
for many potential faculty members in thesefields.
Counselors
154,000
32
50,000
Employment is expected to grow faster than average
inresponse to increasing demand for school,
rehabilitation,mental health, and employment counselors.
Opportunitiesshould increase significantly by the end of the
decade as alarge number of counselors reach retirement age.
Librarians
141,000
12
17,000
Employment is expected to grow more slowly than
average,continuing the trend of the 1980's. Budgetary
constraints inschool, public, and college libraries and the
increasing use ofcomputerized information storage and
retrieval systems willdampen demand. Opportunities will be
best in nontraditionalsettings_information brokers, private
corporations, andconsulting firms. Willingness to relocate
will greatly enhancejob prospects.
School teachers_kinder- garten, elementary, and secondary
3,255,000
34
1,113,000
Faster than average employment growth is expected; however,
projected growth varies among individual teaching
occupations.Employment of special education teachers is
expected toincrease much faster than average due to
legislationemphasizing training and employment for
individuals withdisabilities; technological advances
resulting in moresurvivors of accidents and illnesses; and
growing publicinterest in individuals with special needs.
Employment ofsecondary school teachers is expected to grow
faster thanaverage, while average employment growth is
projected forkindergarten and elementary school teachers,
reflectingpopulation trends and corresponding student
enrollment. Jobprospects generally are better in cities and
rural areas than insuburbs. Mathematics, science, and
special education teachersremain in short supply in many
locales.
Health diagnosing occupations
Chiropractors
46,000
36
16,000
Employment is expected to grow faster than average becauseof
rapid growth in the older population, with its
increasedlikelihood of physiological problems. Greater
publicawareness of the profession also will encourage
growth.Replacement needs are low because chiropractors
generallyremain in the profession until they retire.
Dentists
183,000
5
9,500
Employment is expected to grow more slowly than
averagedespite growing demand. Dentists will absorb the
increase indemand for services by working more hours and
hiring moredental hygienists and dental assistants to handle
routineservices. Demand for dental care should grow
substantially:The baby-boom generation will seek more care
as it ages; theelderly will require more care than their
predecessors becausethey are more likely to retain their
teeth; and the youngergeneration will need preventive check-
ups.
Optometrists
31,000
16
4,800
Employment is expected to grow as fast as average in order
tomeet the needs of a population that is larger, older, and
moreaware of the need for proper eye care. Replacement needs
arelow because optometrists generally remain in the
professionuntil they retire.
Physicians
556,000
35
195,000
Employment is expected to grow faster than average due to
agrowing and aging population and technologicalimprovements
that encourage expansion of the health careindustry. Job
prospects are good for primary, geriatric, andpreventive
care specialists. Some shortages have beenreported in
general surgery and psychiatry and in some ruraland low
income areas. Replacement needs are low becausephysicians
generally remain in the profession until they retire.
Podiatrists
15,000
37
5,500
Employment is expected to grow faster than average due tothe
rising demand for podiatric services, especially by
olderpeople. Establishing a new podiatric practice will be
toughestin areas surrounding the seven colleges of podiatric
medicinesince podiatrists are concentrated in these
locations.Replacement needs are low because podiatrists
generallyremain in the profession until they retire.
Veterinarians
44,000
33
14,000
Employment is expected to grow faster than average due to
anincrease in the number of pets and greater willingness of
petowners to pay for more intensive care. The outlook will
beparticularly good for veterinarians with specialty
training intoxicology, laboratory animal medicine, and
pathology.
Health assessment and treating occupations
Dietitians and nutritionists
50,000
26
13,000
Employment is expected to grow about as fast as
averagebecause of increasing emphasis on nutrition in
nursinghomes, hospitals, physicians' offices, and social
serviceprograms.
Occupational therapists
40,000
60
24,000
Employment is expected to grow much faster than averagedue
to strong growth in rehabilitative services. Medicaladvances
now make it possible for more patients with criticalproblems
to survive and need therapy. Also, as the baby-
boomgeneration moves into middle age, the incidence of
heartattack and stroke will increase. The rapidly
growingpopulation 75 years of age and above and disabled
childrenentering special education programs will spur
furtherdemand.
Pharmacists
163,000
29
47,000
Spurred by the pharmaceutical needs of a larger and
olderpopulation and greater use of medication, employment
isexpected to grow faster than average.
Physical therapists
90,000
88
79,000
Employment is expected to grow much faster than
average.Growth will occur as new technologies save more
traumavictims and permit more disabled people to be treated,
whothen will need therapy. Demand also will come from an
agingpopulation that is more likely to encounter heart
attacks,strokes, and other debilitating conditions. Younger
peoplewill also need therapy as medical advances save the
lives ofmore newborns with birth defects.
Physician assistants
58,000
34
20,000
Employment is expected to grow faster than average due
toexpansion of the health services industry and
increasedemphasis on cost containment and primary care.
Jobprospects will be excellent, especially in rural and low
incomeareas that have difficulty attracting physicians.
Recreational therapists
30,000
40
12,000
Employment is expected to grow faster than average,
becauseof expansion in long-term care, physical and
psychiatricrehabilitation, and services for the disabled.
The growingnumber of older people is expected to spur job
growth foractivity directors in nursing homes, retirement
communities,adult day care programs, and social service
agencies.Continued growth is expected in community
residentialfacilities as well as in day care programs for
people withdisabilities. Job prospects are expected to be
best for thosewith clinical experience.
Registered nurses
1,835,000
42
765,000
Much faster than average growth is expected due to
overallgrowth in health care and medical technology. Job
prospectswill be good, especially as emphasis on primary
care grows.Many job openings will also result from the need
to replaceexperienced nurses who leave this large
occupation.
Respiratory therapists
74,000
48
36,000
Employment is expected to grow much faster than
averagebecause of the substantial growth in the middle-aged
andelderly population. An older population is more likely
tosuffer from cardiopulmonary diseases such as
pneumonia,chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and heart disease.
Rapidgrowth in the number of patients with AIDS also will
boostdemand since lung disease often accompanies AIDS.
Becausemedical advances will allow more premature infants
tosurvive, job opportunities are expected to be highly
favorablefor those with neonatal care skills.
Speech-language pathologists and audiologists
73,000
51
37,000
Much faster than average overall growth is expected because
the increasednumber of older people and the entrance of the
baby-boomersinto an age bracket when the possibility of
stroke-inducedhearing and speech loss increases. Increased
emphasis onearly detection and prevention will also spur
growth.
Communications occupations
Public relations specialists
98,000
26
26,000
Average growth will stem from the recognition
byorganizations of all sizes of the need for good public
relationsin an increasingly competitive business
environment. Keencompetition for public relations jobs will
likely continueamong recent college graduates with a degree
incommunications as the number of applicants is expected
toexceed the number of job openings.
Radio and television announcers and newscasters
56,000
25
14,000
Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average as
new radio andtelevision stations are licensed and the number
of cabletelevision systems continues to grow. Competition
will bevery keen because the broadcasting field attracts
many morejobseekers than there are jobs. Radio stations are
moreinclined than are television stations to hire beginners.
Reporters and correspondents
58,000
26
15,000
Employment is expected to grow about as fast as
average.Competition on large metropolitan newspapers and
broadcaststations and on national magazines will continue to
be keen.Small town and suburban newspapers will continue to
offerbetter opportunities for beginners. Talented writers
who canhandle highly specialized scientific or technical
subjects havean advantage.
Writers and editors
283,000
23
66,000
Employment is expected to increase about as fast as
average.Employment of salaried writers and editors by
newspapers,periodicals, book publishers, nonprofit
organizations, andadvertising and public relations agencies
is expected toincrease with growing demand for their
publications. Demandfor technical writers is expected to
increase because of thecontinuing expansion of scientific
and technical information.
Visual arts occupations
Designers
302,000
19
57,000
Employment is expected to grow about as fast as
average.Designers in most fields can expect to face
competitionthroughout their careers as a result of the
abundant supply oftalented, well-educated individuals
attracted to thisoccupation. Job opportunities should be
best in floral designdue to its relatively low pay and
limited advancementopportunities. Opportunities also should
be good for qualifiedpeople in some specialized fields, such
as furniture design.
Photographers and camera and newscasters
118,000
25
29,000
Average employment growth will stem from increasing use of
visual images in education,communication, entertainment,
marketing, and research anddevelopment and as businesses
make greater use of videos fortraining films, business
meetings, sales campaigns, andpublic relations work.
However, competition will be keen forwhat is generally
regarded as an exciting field.
Visual artists
273,000
23
63,000
Average employment growth is expected for both
graphicdesigners and fine artists. Despite demands by
advertisingagencies, publishing firms, and other businesses
for creativeand ingenious designs, graphic designers can
expectcompetition for employment. Competition for jobs also
willcontinue to be keen among fine artists, who often create
art tosatisfy their need for self-expression, and display
their worksin museums, art galleries, and homes.
Performing arts occupations
Actors, directors, and producers
129,000
54
69,000
Much faster than average job growth is expected. Keen
competition is expected for jobsbecause large numbers of
people are attracted to these careers,which do not require
formal preparation. Only a relativelyfew people will find
regular employment.
Dancers and choreographers
18,000
25
4,600
Jobs are expected to increase about as fast as average due
tothe public's continued interest in dance. Very
keencompetition is expected for job openings, and only the
mosttalented will find regular employment.
Musicians
236,000
25
59,000
Jobs are expected to grow about as fast as average due to
the continued demand for live and recorded
musicalentertainment. Competition for jobs will be keen, and
even many talented individuals will not be able to make a
living solely as musicians. Opportunities will be best for
people with an ability to play several instruments and a
variety of types of music.
TECHNICIANS AND RELATED SUPPORT OCCUPATIONS
Health technologists and technicians
Cardiovascular technologists and technicians
31,000
9
2,600
Overall employment is expected to grow more slowly than
average, but techniciansand technologists will experience
different patterns ofemployment change. Employment of EKG
technicians isexpected to decline as hospitals train nurses
and otherpersonnel to perform basic EKG procedures.
Employment ofcardiology technologists is expected to grow
faster thanaverage as the population ages because older
people have ahigher incidence of heart problems.
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians
268,000
26
71,000
Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average,
with demandstimulated by the growth of the older population
and itsaccompanying medical problems. Technological
advanceswill have opposite effects on employment: New,
morepowerful tests encourage more testing, but automation
andsimpler tests make each worker more productive. The
fastestgrowth is expected in independent medical
laboratories.Rapid growth also is expected in the offices
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