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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- CONSTRUCTION/
ENERGY - HEALTH SCIENCES
- INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
- MANUFACTURING
- PROFESSIONAL/
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
| Title | Median Hourly Earnings | 2016-26 Projected Growth | 2016-26 Annual Openings | Education or Training Requirements* | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Architectural, Engineering Managers | $55.77 | 9.2% | 125 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | ||
 | | Brickmasons, Blockmasons | $25.16 | 11.2% | 55 | Apprenticeship and moderate-term OJT | |
 | | | Bus and Truck Mechanics, Diesel Engine Specialists | $22.16 | 12.7% | 180 | Certification and long-term OJT |
| Cabinet Makers, Bench Carpenters | $18.46 | 19.2% | 95 | Moderate-term OJT | ||
| | Carpenters | $18.99 | 11% | 475 | Apprenticeship | |
| | Cement Masons, Concrete Finishers | $19.69 | 13.6% | 140 | Apprenticeship | |
| | Civil Engineers | $37.35 | 12.1% | 85 | Bachelor's degree and license | |
| Construction Laborers | $17.14 | 13.9% | 555 | No formal educational credential, short-term OJT | ||
| Construction Managers | $39.13 | 12.3% | 95 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | ||
| | Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $38.47 | 11.1% | 90 | Certification and apprenticeship | |
| | | Electricians | $26.66 | 9.6% | 410 | License and apprenticeship |
| | First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service and Groundskeeping Workers | $23.94 | 15.5% | 110 | Certification | |
| | First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers and Repairers | $32.42 | 9.7% | 250 | 5+ years work experience | |
| | | Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | $24.02 | 16.8% | 175 | Certification and long-term OJT |
| | | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $20.15 | 10.6% | 1625 | Certification and short-term OJT |
| | Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $21.68 | 11.9% | 145 | Certification and moderate-term OJT | |
| | | Plumbers, Pipefitters, Steamfitters | $25.49 | 16.5% | 270 | License and apprenticeship |
| Roofers | $18.16 | 12% | 60 | Moderate-term OJT | ||
| | Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers | $23.85 | 20% | 40 | Certification | |
| Supervisors of Construction and Extraction Workers | $28.16 | 12.4% | 255 | 5+ years work experience |
| Title | Median Hourly Earnings | 2016-26 Projected Growth | 2016-26 Annual Openings | Education or Training Requirements* | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | Child, Family and School Social Workers | $23.38 | 17.7% | 290 | Bachelor's degree and license | |
| | Community Health Workers | $18.72 | 16.2% | 50 | Certification | |
| | Dental Assistants | $20.89 | 13.7% | 155 | Postsecondary non-degree award and license | |
| | Dental Hygienists | $33.06 | 13.6% | 105 | Associate degree and license | |
| | Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics | $16.76 | 13.6% | 55 | Certification and license | |
| Family and General Practitioners | $105.61 | 11.4% | 40 | Doctoral or professional degree | ||
| | Healthcare Social Workers | $26.41 | 18.7% | 160 | Bachelor's degree and license | |
| | Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $21.06 | 12% | 245 | License | |
| | Massage Therapists | $16.57 | 30.7% | 85 | Postsecondary non-degree award and license | |
| | Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists | $20.28 | 9.6% | 55 | Bachelor's degree and license | |
| | Medical and Health Services Managers | $45.04 | 18.1% | 190 | Bachelor's degree and less than 5 years work experience | |
| | Medical Assistants | $16.23 | 23.5% | 445 | Certification | |
| | Medical Records and Health Information Technicians | $17.34 | 14.1% | 50 | Certification | |
| Medical Secretaries | $16.00 | 17.8% | 410 | Short-term OJT | ||
| | Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $24.01 | 19.6% | 95 | Bachelor's degree | |
| | Mental Health Counselors | $21.42 | 19.2% | 95 | Bachelor's degree and license | |
| Nurse Practitioners | $50.07 | 32.2% | 40 | Master's degree and license | ||
| | Nursing Assistants | $13.86 | 12% | 1095 | Certification and license | |
| Occupational Therapists | $33.24 | 21.6% | 75 | Master's degree and license | ||
| | Occupational Therapy Assistants | $22.90 | 25% | 55 | Associate degree | |
| | Pharmacy Technicians | $15.24 | 11.8% | 170 | Certification, license and moderate-term OJT | |
| | Phlebotomists | $14.43 | 20.8% | 70 | Certification | |
| | Physical Therapist Assistants | $25.18 | 26.8% | 130 | Associate degree and license | |
| Physical Therapists | $40.03 | 24.4% | 110 | Doctoral or professional degree and license | ||
| Physician Assistants | $50.75 | 33.9% | 90 | Master's degree and license | ||
| Physicians and Surgeons, All Other | $95.83 | 9.3% | 55 | Doctoral or professional degree, license and residency | ||
| | Radiologic Technologists | $25.30 | 10.7% | 55 | Associate degree and license | |
| | Registered Nurses | $31.76 | 14.8% | 1010 | Bachelor's degree and license | |
| | Respiratory Therapists | $26.99 | 25.2% | 45 | Associate degree and license | |
| | Social and Community Service Managers | $34.73 | 18.3% | 95 | Bachelor's degree and less than 5 years work experience | |
| | Surgical Technologists | $20.88 | 11.2% | 60 | Certification |
| Title | Median Hourly Earnings | 2016-26 Projected Growth | 2016-26 Annual Openings | Education or Training Requirements* | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $53.79 | 12.9% | 90 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | ||
| | | Computer Network Support Specialists | $26.49 | 12.2% | 40 | Bachelor's degree |
| | Computer User Support Specialists | $22.37 | 15.9% | 270 | Postsecondary non-degree award or certification | |
| | Database Administrators | $30.07 | 11.3% | 30 | Bachelor's degree | |
| | Developers | $38.82 | 30.7% | 255 | Bachelor's degree | |
| | Graphic Designers | $19.17 | 9.6% | 135 | Bachelor's degree | |
| | Information Security Analysts | $37.13 | 34.6% | 15 | Bachelor's degree and less than 5 years work experience | |
| | | Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $33.39 | 9.1% | 80 | Bachelor's degree |
| | Web Developers | $31.92 | 15.5% | 35 | Associate degree |
| Title | Median Hourly Earnings | 2016-26 Projected Growth | 2016-26 Annual Openings | Educatio or Training Requirements* | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Accountants and Auditors | $29.23 | 12.3% | 560 | Bachelor's degree and certification |
| | Administrative Services Managers | $40.10 | 13.2% | 90 | Bachelor's degree | |
| Billing and Posting Clerks | $17.85 | 14.2% | 210 | Short-term OJT | ||
| | Cost Estimators | $28.18 | 10.1% | 145 | Bachelor's degree | |
| Education Administrators | $37.15 | 14.6% | 95 | Master's degree | ||
| Educational, Guidance, School and Vocational Counselors | $27.90 | 16.8% | 175 | Master's degree and certificaiton | ||
| | Elementary/Middle School Teachers, Except Special Education | $27.60 | 11.9% | 875 | Bachelor's degree and license | |
| Financial Managers | $51.20 | 21.5% | 245 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | ||
| | First-Line Supervisors of Services | $17.28 | 12.5% | 1000 | Moderate-term OJT | |
| | Food Service Managers | $27.83 | 11.6% | 150 | 5+ years work experience | |
| | General and Operations Managers | $44.84 | 10.5% | 880 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | |
| | | Human Resources Specialists | $26.34 | 9.3% | 225 | Bachelor's degree |
| Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks | $17.11 | 17% | 90 | Short-term OJT | ||
| Insurance Sales Agents | $23.33 | 16.5% | 290 | Moderate-term OJT | ||
| | Loan Officers | $24.88 | 19.2% | 120 | Bachelor's degree and license | |
| Management Analysts | $35.50 | 16.8% | 205 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | ||
| | | Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $27.13 | 25.2% | 310 | Bachelor's degree and certification |
| | Personal Financial Advisors | $37.41 | 18.4% | 85 | Bachelor's degree, license and long-term OJT | |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $37.21 | 16.3% | 270 | Master's or doctorate degree, experience in field teaching | ||
| Property, Real Estate and Community Association Managers | $31.00 | 13.4% | 105 | 5+ years work experience | ||
| | Sales Managers | $60.34 | 11% | 170 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | |
| Sales Representatives, Services, All Other | $25.97 | 9.9% | 390 | Short-term OJT |
2020 Hot Jobs List Key
- Title: Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) title as determined by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. 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.
- Projected Growth: Percentage of growth over 10 years. Rapidly growing occupations may indicate favorable prospects for employment. NOTE: When looking at the best option for job prospects, job growth should be considered in conjunction with annual openings.
- Annual Openings: Includes projected number of workers leaving an occupation entirely, transfers to a different occupation, and new jobs added due to growth.
- OJT: On-the-job training: Training or preparation received while employed to attain competency in an occupation (short-term: 1 month or less, moderate-term: between 1-12 months, long-term: more than 12 months).
- 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.
Methodology
Data Collection
Occupational data was obtained from the analytical program, EMSI, 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 agriculture.
Criteria for Inclusion
Occupations on the Hot Jobs List must show a growth rate of at least 9% (the regional average) over 10 years; annual openings above industry averages; and wages at or above $13.75 per hour.
The list was presented to West Michigan Works! staff and employers within the region’s industry councils for anecdotal feedback and insight into hiring needs.
Sources:
Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI), http://www.economicmodeling.com/data-sources/
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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