The Hot Jobs! List
If you’re in the market for a new job, this is the list for you. The Hot Jobs! list can help guide you to new employment in a high-demand career. We’ve analyzed online job posting data and surveyed employers to create a list of the 100 highest-growing and most in-demand jobs in West Michigan.
You can find a key to the list and methodology information below.
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- Occupations that meet the criteria for West Michigan Works! training scholarships.
- Occupations also in demand in the agriculture industry. The agriculture industry, including farming and food production, accounts for nearly 26,000 jobs and $300 million in labor income in the region.
- CONSTRUCTION/
ENERGY - HEALTH SCIENCES
- INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
- MANUFACTURING
- PROFESSIONAL/
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
NEW! Career guides for occupations in West Michigan’s high-demand industries. Guides include insights into qualifications needed, valuable skills, growth potential and more!
| Video | SOC Title | Job Title | Median Wage (mid-career) | Recommended Credential | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 17-1011 Architects, Except Landscape and Naval |
| $39.70 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience |  | |
| 47-2021 Brickmasons and Blockmasons |
| $26.11 | Apprenticeship | | |
| 49-3031 Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists |
| $23.10 | Certification and long-term OJT | |  |
| 51-7011 Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters |
| $18.83 | Apprenticeship | | |
| 43-5011 Cargo and Freight Agents |
| $21.99 | Moderate-term OJT | |
|
| 47-2051 Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers |
| $19.81 | Apprenticeship | | |
| 47-2061 Construction Laborers |
| $18.05 | Short-term OJT | ||
| 11-9021 Construction Managers |
| $43.19 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | | |
| 49-9012 Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door |
| $34.25 | High school diploma and 5+ years work experience | ||
| 13-1051 Cost Estimators |
| $29.80 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 47-2111 Electricians |
| $26.03 | Apprenticeship or technical school and license | | |
| 47-1011 First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers |
| $28.46 | High school diploma and 5+ years work experience | ||
| 37-1012 First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers |
| $23.34 | High school diploma and 5+ years work experience | ||
| 49-9021 Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers |
| $26.20 | Certification and long-term OJT, postsecondary non-degree award | | |
| 53-3032 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers |
| $22.08 | Commercial driver's license, postsecondary non-degree award | | |
| 37-3011 Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers |
| $15.79 | Short-term OJT | ||
| 47-2073 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators |
| $23.56 | Certification and moderate-term OJT | | |
| 47-2152 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters |
| $24.06 | Apprenticeship and license | | |
| 47-2181 Roofers |
| $18.88 | Short-term OJT | ||
| 49-9052 Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers |
| $21.25 | Short-term OJT | ||
| 47-2044 Tile and Marble Setters |
| $20.55 | Short-term OJT | ||
| 11-3071 Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers |
| $52.21 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | | |
NEW! Career guides for occupations in West Michigan’s high-demand industries. Guides include insights into qualifications needed, valuable skills, growth potential and more!
| Video | SOC Title | Job Title | Median Wage (mid-career) | Recommended Credential | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21-1021 Child, Family, and School Social Workers |
| $23.23 | Master's degree and license or limited license | ||
| 19-3033 Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists |
| $37.10 | Doctoral degree and license | ||
| 21-1094 Community Health Workers |
| $21.64 | Certification | | |
| 51-9081 Dental Laboratory Technicians |
| $18.83 | License | | |
| 29-2032 Diagnostic Medical Sonographers |
| $31.48 | Associate degree and certification | | |
| 39-1022 First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers |
| $23.06 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 21-1091 Health Educators |
| $24.43 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 21-1022 Healthcare Social Workers |
| $32.21 | Master's degree and license or limited license | ||
| 29-2061 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses |
| $23.18 | License | | |
| 31-9011 Massage Therapists |
| $23.52 | License | | |
| 11-9111 Medical and Health Services Managers |
| $44.97 | Bachelor's degree, license and 5+ years work experince | | |
| 31-9092 Medical Assistants |
| $17.05 | Certification | | |
| 29-2072 Medical Records Specialists |
| $19.34 | Certification and license | | |
| 43-6013 Medical Secretaries |
| $16.42 | High school diploma or equivalent | ||
| 21-1023 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers |
| $31.25 | Master's degree and license | ||
| 29-1171 Nurse Practitioners |
| $51.55 | Master's degree and license | ||
| 31-1131 Nursing Assistants |
| $14.46 | Certification and license | | |
| 29-1122 Occupational Therapists |
| $33.28 | Master's degree and license | ||
| 31-2011 Occupational Therapy Assistants |
| $21.25 | Certification and license | | |
| 29-2052 Pharmacy Technicians |
| $15.98 | Certification and license | | |
| 31-9097 Phlebotomists |
| $16.65 | License | | |
| 31-2021 Physical Therapist Assistants |
| $24.60 | Associate degree and license | | |
| 29-1123 Physical Therapists |
| $40.42 | Doctoral degree and license | ||
| 29-1071 Physician Assistants |
| $52.37 | Master's degree and license | ||
| 29-1141 Registered Nurses |
| $33.27 | Bachelor's degree and license | | |
| 21-1015 Rehabilitation Counselors |
| $15.57 | Bachelor's degree and license | | |
| 29-1126 Respiratory Therapists |
| $28.55 | Associate degree and license | | |
| 11-9151 Social and Community Service Managers |
| $35.20 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | | |
| 21-1093 Social and Human Service Assistants |
| $14.69 | High school diploma or equivalent | ||
| 29-1127 Speech-Language Pathologists |
| $35.85 | Master's degree | ||
| 21-1011 Substance Abuse and Behavorial Disorder Counselors |
| $23.35 | Master's degree and license | ||
| 29-2055 Surgical Technologists |
| $20.55 | Associate degree and license | | |
| 29-2056 Veterinary Technologists and Technicians |
| $15.25 | Associate degree | | |
NEW! Career guides for occupations in West Michigan’s high-demand industries. Guides include insights into qualifications needed, valuable skills, growth potential and more!
| Video | SOC Title | Job Title | Median Wage (mid-career) | Recommended Credential | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11-3021 Computer and Information Systems Managers |
| $60.01 | Bachelor's degree and 10+ years work experience | | |
| 15-1299 Computer Occupations, All Other |
| $35.38 | Bachelor's degree | | ||
| 15-1211 Computer Systems Analysts |
| $40.68 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 15-1232 Computer User Support Specialists |
| $26.29 | Postsecondary non-degree award or certification | | |
| 15-1212 Information Security Analysts |
| $45.90 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 13-1111 Management Analysts |
| $41.55 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 15-1252 Software Developers, Analysts and Testers |
| $42.19 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 15-2041 Statisticians |
| $37.98 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 15-1254 Web Developers and Digital Interface Designers |
| $33.40 | Bachelor's degree | |
NEW! Career guides for occupations in West Michigan’s high-demand industries. Guides include insights into qualifications needed, valuable skills, growth potential and more!
| Video | SOC Title | Job Title | Median Wage (mid-career) | Recommended Credential | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19-2031 Chemist |
| $32.97 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 27-1021 Commercial and Industrial Designers |
| $29.76 | Certification and 5+ years experience | | |
| 51-9162 Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Tool Programmers, Metal and Plastic |
| $25.66 | Certification and moderate-term OJT | | |
| 17-2071 Electrical Engineers |
| $49.35 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 51-1011 First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers |
| $30.69 | High school diploma and 5+ years experience | |
|
| 51-3091 Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders |
| $14.34 | High school diploma or equivalent | |
|
| 49-9098 Helpers-Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers |
| $14.48 | High school diploma or equivalent | |
|
| 51-9198 Helpers-Production Workers |
| $15.20 | High school diploma or equivalent | |
|
| 17-2112 Industrial Engineers |
| $47.88 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 49-9041 Industrial Machinery Mechanics |
| $24.18 | Apprenticeship | | |
| 11-3051 Industrial Production Managers |
| $50.66 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | | |
| 51-4041 Machinists |
| $19.98 | Certification and moderate-term OJT | | |
| 49-9071 Maintenance and Repair Workers, General |
| $18.59 | Certification and moderate-term OJT | | |
| 17-2141 Mechanical Engineers |
| $37.59 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 49-9044 Millwrights |
| $28.11 | Apprenticeship | | |
| 51-9195 Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic |
| $18.19 | High school diploma or equivalent | ||
| 53-7081 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors |
| $22.50 | High school diploma or equivalent and long-term OJT | ||
| 47-2211 Sheet Metal Workers |
| $22.78 | High school diploma or equivalent and long-term OJT | ||
| 51-6093 Upholsterers |
| $15.93 | High school diploma or equivalent |
NEW! Career guides for occupations in West Michigan’s high-demand industries. Guides include insights into qualifications needed, valuable skills, growth potential and more!
| Video | SOC Title | Job Title | Mediam Wage (mid-career) | Recommended Credential | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35-1011 Chefs and Head Cooks |
| $25.77 | Associate degree and certification | | |
| 13-1141 Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists |
| $28.95 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 11-9033 Education Administrators, Elementary,Secondary, and Post Secondary School |
| $41.54 | Master's degree and 5+ years experience | ||
| 21-1012 Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors |
| $23.13 | Master's degree and certification | ||
| 25-2031 Elementary, Middle and Secondary School Teachers |
| $29.54 | Bachelor's degree and license | | |
| 11-3031 Financial Managers |
| $52.38 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | | |
| 53-1049 First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling |
| $25.67 | High school diploma and 5+ years work experience | |
|
| 11-1021 General and Operations Managers |
| $46.96 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | | |
| 25-9031 Instructional Coordinators |
| $36.15 | Master's degree and 5+ years work experience | ||
| 41-3021 Insurance Sales Agents |
| $30.62 | Bachelor's degree and license | | |
| 43-4131 Loan Interviewers and Clerks |
| $20.04 | High school diploma or equivalent | |||
| 13-2072 Loan Officers |
| $27.12 | Bachelor's degree and license | | |
| 13-1161 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists |
| $26.12 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 23-2011 Paralegals and Legal Assistants |
| $33.58 | Associate degree, certification | | |
| 25-1011 Postsecondary Teachers, Art, Business, Health |
| $31.70 | Master's or doctorate degree, experience in field | ||
| 25-2011 Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education |
| $14.39 | Associate degree or certification | | |
| 41-4012 Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products |
| $30.56 | High school diploma and moderate-term OJT | |
|
| 25-9042 Teacher Assistants |
| $15.91 | Associate degree or certification | | |
| 13-1151 Training and Development Specialists |
| $23.96 | Bachelor's degree | | |
Key
- SOC Title: Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) title used to classify workers for the purpose of collecting, calculating or disseminating data. The titles in this report represent one or more detailed occupations; in some cases occupations with similar job duties, skills, education and training are grouped together.
- Job Title: Local in-demand jobs that fall within the Standard Occupational Classification. These are the job titles used by West Michigan employers; job seekers can use the titles as a guide when searching for specific jobs.
- Median Wage: Median wages tend to align with an employee that is mid-career, not entry level.
- Recommended Credential: Training or preparation that local employers prefer that job seekers possess prior to employment in the field.
- OJT (On-the-job training): Training or preparation received while working to learn the skills needed for that occupation (short-term: 1 month or less, moderate-term: between 1-12 months, long-term: more than 12 months).
METHODOLOGY
Data Collection
Occupational data was obtained from the analytical program, EMSI, survey results from The Employers’ Association (TEA) of West Michigan and the State of Michigan Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives. Data and employer feedback were used to determine the industry focus for our region: manufacturing, health sciences, information technology, construction and energy, professional services, and agribusiness.
Criteria for Inclusion
Occupations on the Hot Jobs List must show a growth rate of at least 4% (the regional average) over 10 years; annual openings above industry averages; and wages at or above $14.30. The list was presented to West Michigan Works! staff and employers within the region’s industry talent councils for anecdotal feedback and insight into hiring needs.
Sources:
Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI), http://www.economicmodeling.com/data-sources/
The Employers’ Association (TEA) of West Michigan Wage and Salary Survey, https://www.teagr.org/teaimis/Members/Surveys/Survey_Home.aspx
O*Net O*NET OnLine. National Center for O*NET Development, http://www.onetonline.org/
Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/data/
Michigan DTMB Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, http://milmi.org/default.aspx
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