The 1996-2006 Job Outlook In Brief By Rick Melchionno and Michael Sean Steinman Bob Dylan told the world in 1963, "The times, they are a-changin'." Times were changing then - and still are today. Evolving technology, shifts in consumer taste, and innovative business practices are among the contributors to progress over the past 35 years and to anticipated growth for the future. Changing times lead to changing employment, keeping the world of work in constant flux. The wide array of occupations in the American labor market responds to societal, global, scientific, commercial, and legislative developments. These forces cause a decline in employment for jobs that once offered solid careers while creating rapid growth in positions that were unheard of not long ago. In today's dynamic marketplace, people must plan their careers carefully and be aware of which occupations will be in demand in the future. Employment projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provide important information for long-term career planning. The $6.9-trillion economy of 1996 is projected to reach $8.5 trillion by 2006. Employment in 2006 is expected to reach 150.9 million, an increase of 14 percent, or 18.6 million jobs, above the 1996 level. The table beginning on Page 9 shows the occupations that will benefit most from its growth as well as those in which employment is projected to decline. For each of about 250 occupations, the table gives the numerical and percent change in employment as well as a summary of job prospects for the 1996-2006 projections period. The next few pages discuss factors that affect an occupation's employment outlook, describe the assumptions used in making the projections, and point out general trends. Why Employment Changes The number of workers employed in an occupation depends largely on the demand for the goods or services those workers provide. Over the last decade, for example, increased use of computers by businesses, schools, scientific organizations, and government agencies has contributed to large numerical increases for systems analysts, programmers, and computer repairers. However, even if the demand rises for goods and services provided by a group of workers, employment may not increase at all or may increase more slowly than demand because of changes in the ways goods are produced and services are provided. In fact, some changes in technology and business practices cause employment to decline. For example, while the volume of paperwork is expected to increase dramatically, the employment of typists and word processors will probably fall. This reflects the growing us of word-processing equipment that increases efficiency and allows other office personnel to do more of their own typing. Traditionally, BLS economists have projected changes in the economy in terms of high, moderate, and low growth. These projections were made in light of various assumptions about factors such as output, unemployment, productivity, and inflation. For the 1996-2006 projections in this issue of the Quarterly, however, BLS economists held labor force assumptions constant while deriving projections from information on the demand for goods and services, advances in technology, changes in business practices, the occupational composition of industries, and historical trends. Any projection of employment growth is clouded by uncertainty. Unforeseen changes in technology, the balance of trade, or major international political upheavals could also radically alter future employment for individual occupations. Employment Through the Year 2006 Between 1996 and 2006, employment will rise to 150.9 million from 132.4 million. This section gives a brief overview of projected employment change. It focuses on the following 10 clusters of occupations based on the Federal Government's Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system: * Executive, administrative, and managerial occupations * Professional and technical occupations * Marketing and sales occupations * Administrative support occupations, including clerical * Service occupations * Mechanics, installers, ad repairers * Construction trades occupations * Production occupations * Transportation and material moving occupations * Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers. A particular occupation may not follow the trend projected for its group; therefore, you should refer to the table on pages 9 to 36 for the outlook for specific occupations. An index of individual occupations appears on pages 37-39. Executive, administrative, and managerial occupations. Workers in executive, administrative, and managerial occupations establish policies, make plans, determine staffing requirements, and direct the activities of businesses, government agencies, and other organizations. This group includes managerial and administrative occupations, such as financial property, health services, and construction managers; purchasers and buyers; education administrators; and funeral directors. It also includes management support occupations that provide technical assistance to managers. Some examples include accountants and auditors, budget analysts, loan officers, purchasing agents, and underwriters. Overall, employment of executive, administrative, and managerial occupations is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations. However, because these workers are employed throughout the economy, differences in the rate of expansion for individual industries will produce varying rates of employment change for particular kinds of managers and support workers. For example, employment of engineering, science, and computer systems managers will grow much faster than average, whereas the number of industrial production managers is expected to decline. Because of strong competition for these jobs, applicants with previous work experience, specialized training, or graduate study have an advantage. Computer skills will become essential as managers rely on computerized information systems to assist with the routine function of their organizations. Professional and technical occupations. Professional and technical occupations. Professional and technical personnel provide a variety of services, conduct research, and work in different industries. This group includes professionals such as engineers; architects; surveyors and mapping scientists; life, physical, and social scientists; lawyers and judges; social, recreational, and religious workers; teachers; librarians; and counselors. It also includes professionals working in computer, mathematical, and operations research occupations; health diagnosing, assessment, and treating occupations; and communications, visual arts, and performing arts occupations. This group also includes technical workers such as paralegals, computer programmers, health technologists and technicians, engineering and science technicians, aircraft pilots, air traffic controllers, broadcast technicians, and library technicians. Technical personnel usually program and operate technical equipment and assist engineers, scientists, physicians, and other professional workers. Professional and technical occupations are expected to grow faster than average and gain more new jobs than any other occupational group. However, projected growth rates for individual occupations are as diverse as the jobs themselves, reflecting changes in technology, demographics, and business practices, among other factors. For instance, paralegals will be one of the fastest growing occupations in the economy as lawyers increasingly rely on these workers to improve efficiency and cut the cost of legal services. Population trends and increasing student enrollments will fuel a faster than average increase in the overall employment of teachers, who will account for nearly one-fourth of all job growth among professional and technical occupations. Increased demand for health and social services from a growing and aging population will spur rapid growth for physical therapists, occupational therapists, and social and human services assistants. Likewise, employment of computer scientists, computer engineers, and systems analysts is expected to double during the next decade as organizations become increasingly dependent on advancing technologies and the workers who implement them. Along with continued efforts to reduce costs, these same technologies will adversely affect employment of other professional and technical workers. For example, employment of drafters and air traffic controllers should show little change because of increased use of laborsaving equipment. The number of physicists and astronomers, on the other hand, should decline because of budget tightening and decreased demand for physics-related research. Marketing and sales occupations. Workers in this group sell goods and services, purchase commodities and property for resale, and stimulate consumer interest. This group includes cashiers; counter and rental clerks; insurance agents and brokers; manufacturers' and wholesale sales representatives; real estate agents, brokers, and appraisers; retail sales workers; financial services sales representatives; and travel agents. Overall employment in this group is expected to grow as fast as average because of the increased demand for financial, travel, and other services. However, the rate of growth should be slower from 1996 to 2006 than during the previous decade because these workers are concentrated in wholesale and retail trade, industries that are expected to grow more slowly than in the past. Nonetheless, some occupations will experience rapid growth. Securities and financial services sales representatives should grow much faster than average as investment increases and diversifies and as financial institutions offer more complex services. Employment of services sales representatives should increase as the health care and computer industries expand rapidly, requiring more workers to market and service their products. Faster than average employment growth is expected for counter and rental clerks and travel agents due to increased demand for business and recreational services. There is greater competition for jobs in higher paying marketing and sales occupations, such as securities and financial services sales representatives, than in lower paying ones, such as retail sales workers. Opportunities will be best for well trained, personable, and ambitious people who enjoy selling. Administrative support occupations, including clerical. Workers in this group prepare and record memos, letters, and reports; collect accounts; gather and distribute information; operate office machines; and handle other administrative tasks. The group includes occupations such as adjuster, investigator, and collector in the insurance industry; computer and communications equipment operator; information clerk; postal clerk and mail carrier; secretary; bank teller; and typist, word processor, and data entry keyer. This occupational group will continue to employ the largest number of workers, although employment will grow more slowly than average. Despite the tremendous increase expected n the volume of clerical tasks, increased automation and other technological changes will cause a decline in some occupations, including typist, word processor, and data entry keyer; bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerk; and telephone operator. In contrast, employment of teacher aides should grow much faster than average as schools increasingly make use of these workers to help with growing enrollments, including those of students in special education and students for whom English is a second language. A projected faster than average increase in employment of receptionists reflects rapid growth of the services industries in which they work. Similarly, the expanding population, economy, and volume of insurance sales will spur growth among adjusters, investigators, and collectors. Because many administrative support occupations are large and have relatively high turnover, opportunities should be plentiful for full- and part-time jobs, even in slow-growing occupations. Service occupations. This group includes a wide range of workers in four subgroups; Food and beverage; health; personal, buildings, and grounds; and protective services. Included among service workers are chefs, cooks, and all other food and beverage service workers; health service occupations, such as dental and medical assistants, nursing and psychiatric aides, and physical, occupational, and corrective therapy assistants and aides; personal, buildings, and grounds service occupations such as animal caretakers, cosmetologists, flight attendants, gardeners, preschool teachers, and child-care and private household workers; and protective service occupations including correctional officers, firefighters, guards, police officers, detectives, and investigations. Population and economic growth and changes in health care delivery will fuel average employment growth among service occupations as a whole over the next decade. Employment of correctional officers is expected to rise faster than average as correctional facilities expand. The public's growing concern for security will also lead to faster than average growth for guards and average growth for police officers and detectives. However, firefighters should experience slow growth as various public service providers continue to compete for funding. Full- and part-time jobs will be plentiful for food and beverage service workers because of the group's large size, high turnover, and overall average employment growth. Most health services occupations - including medical assistants and physical and corrective therapy assistants and aides, which are among the fastest growing occupations in the economy - are expected to grow much faster than the average. Such rapid growth reflects an increasing and aging population, technological advances in medicine, and the increasing use of support personnel who are cost-effective providers of health care. Growth in personal, buildings, and grounds service occupations will vary widely. Homemaker-home health aide should grow much faster than the average because of the increase in the elderly population and advances in medical technology that can make in-home treatment more effective. Employment of private household workers, on the other hand, will decline rapidly, as child-care and household cleaning service firms increasingly assume those duties. Mechanics, installers, and repairers. Workers in this group adjust, maintain, and repair automobiles, industrial equipment, computers, and many other types of machinery. Occupations include electronics repairer; telephone and cable television line installer; aircraft, automotive, and motorcycle mechanic; millwright; musical instrument repairer; rigger; and watchmaker. Average overall growth is expected due to continued importance of mechanical and electronic equipment throughout the economy, but projections vary by occupation. Computer and office machine repairer is expected to be the fastest growing occupation in this group, reflecting the increased use of these machines. In contrast, employment of electronic home entertainment equipment repairer, telephone installer and repairer, farm equipment mechanic, millwright, and vending machine servicer and repairer is expected to decline due to laborsaving devices and improvements in reliability. Construction trades occupations. Workers in this group construct, alter, and maintain buildings and other structures. Occupations include carpenter, electrician, roofer, drywall worker, carpet installer, and plumber. Virtually all of the new jobs will be in construction. An increase in the number of households and industrial plants, the desire to alter or modernize existing structures, and the need to maintain and repair the Nation's infrastructure - highways, dams, and bridges - will result in a significant number of new jobs. However, overall employment is expected to grow more slowly than the average as construction activity declines and the industry benefits from productivity gains and more efficient technologies. Employment of insulation workers will grow the fastest, roofers and titlesetters the slowest. Because the construction industry is sensitive to fluctuations in the Nation's economy, employment in construction occupations varies from year to year. Many construction workers become unemployed during downturns in construction activity. Production occupations. These workers set up, adjust, operate, and tend machinery and use handtools and hand-held power tools to make goods and assemble products. Occupations include prepress printing worker, machinist, assembler, jeweler, stationary engineer, butcher, apparel worker, and fisher. Increases in imports, overseas production, and automation - including robotics and advanced computer techniques - will result in little change in overall employment. Growth, however slow, is nevertheless expected for printing press operators, workers, butchers, and meat, poultry, and fish cutters. Employment of water treatment plant operators is expected to grow faster than average due to construction of new plants and expansion of water and wastewater treatment services. Desktop publishing specialists should experience much faster than average employment growth with the shift to computer-based layout and printing. Many production occupations are sensitive to the business cycle and competition from imports. When factory orders decline, workers may face shortened workweeks, layoffs, and plant closings. Transportation and material moving occupations. Operating the equipment used for moving people and materials is the principal activity of workers in this group. Occupations include busdriver, rail and water transportation worker, subway and streetcar operator, and truckdriver. Overall employment is expected to grow about as fast as average, but prospects vary by occupation. The fastest growing occupations in this group are busdrivers and truckdrivers. Employment of busdrivers should increase to meet the needs of a growing school-age population, while the number of truckdrivers is also expected to increase as the expanding economy requires more shipment of goods. Employment declines are expected for rail and water transportation occupations, reflecting global competition improved efficiency, and technological advances. Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers. These workers perform routine tasks and assist skilled workers. Some occupations include parking lot attendants, service station attendants, and helpers in construction trades. Overall employment in this group is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations, although some occupations, such as machine feeder and service station attendant, will show little or no change. Many opportunities will arise from the need to replace workers who leave these high-turnover occupations. However, the number of openings will depend on the strength of the economy, particularly for construction laborer and other occupations in industries highly sensitive to changes in the business cycle. Information in the "Brief" "The Job Outlook in Brief" provides thumbnail sketches of employment data for each occupation in the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 1998-99 edition, on which it is based. Nearly all employment estimates are from the BLS industry-occupation matrix. Throughout this article, employment growth rates are compared to the average for all occupations; the box, "Key Phrases in the Brief," explains the terms used. The box also explains the phrases used to describe the amount of competition jobseekers are likely to encounter. Assessing the degree of competition is difficult, although for occupations with length training and strict entry requirements, it can be done with some accuracy. However, because most occupations have several routes of entry and flexible requirements, the potential supply of workers is difficult to measure. For many occupations, therefore, no description of job opportunities or competition is given. When given, the description of the relationship between supply and demand is based on information obtained from technical journals and other relevant literature, interviews with occupational experts, historical data, and the judgement of the analyst ho studied the occupation. Growth in employment is only one source of job openings. In fact, BLS projects that 3 out of 5 job openings over the 1996-2006 period will arise because of the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force. As a result, even occupations with slower than average growth may offer many jobs for new workers. This is especially true of large occupations. Beyond the "Brief" "The Job Outlook in Brief" is only a starting point for exploring economic projections or careers. The projections in it were produced by BLS as part of its employment projections program, which develops new sets of projections every 2 years. Besides occupational employment, BLS also projects industry employment, industry outlook, 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 winter 1997-98 issue of the Occupational Outlook Quarterly provides a graphic presentation of highlights of the projections. Considerably more detail is available in the November 1997 issue of the Monthly Labor Review. Employment Outlook: 1996-2006 presents an overview of BLS projections of the labor force, the economy, industry employment, and occupational employment; it also includes detailed statistical tables for the major components of the projections. Occupational Projections and Training Data, 1998 edition, is a statistical supplement to the Occupational Outlook Handbook that contains current and projected employment estimates for about 500 occupations. It also presents information on occupational separation rates, unemployment rates, and the demographic characteristics of workers when such information is available. The data and information in those publications also are accessible via the Office of Employment Projections homepage: http://stats.bls.gov/emphome.htm People weighing the advantages of different career choices will probably find two of the BLS publications more useful than the technical ones: the previously mentioned Occupational Outlook Handbook, 1998-99 edition, and "Matching Yourself With the World of Work in 1992." "The Job Outlook in Brief" provides information in a format that allows easy comparison of job prospects in different fields. But employment prospects are not the only consideration when choosing a certain career; matching your goals and abilities to the type of work and the education required is another part of choosing a career. Where you want to live and how much money you want to earn also are important. Information like this appears in the Handbook and in "Matching." The Handbook has been published for over 50 years. It contains more detailed information about the outlook for each of the occupations mentioned in the "Brief," as well as information about the nature of the work, training and personal qualifications, earnings, and other subjects. Originally published in the fall 1992 OOQ, "Matching Yourself With the World of Work in 1992" is a 20-page, tabular presentation similar in format to the "Brief." Rather than outlook, it highlights significant job characteristics, including educational level required, working conditions, and interaction with data, people, and things. An updated version, "Matching Yourself With the World of Work in 1998," will appear in the fall 1998 Quarterly. Additional information job growth is also available from State job service offices. The outlook for many occupations varies considerably among local job markets. For example, sections of the country with slow population growth may have less need for elementary school teachers than do regions with high growth. State job service offices, listed in the State government section of local telephone directories, can provide information on local labor market conditions. Also, see the section on "Sources of Career Information in the Handbook. Ordering Information The Occupational Outlook Handbook, 1998-99 edition (Bulletin 2500) is available for $42 paper cover, $46 hard cover, and $28 CD-ROM. Prices for other publications were not available at press time. BLS publications are usually available in libraries, career centers, and the offices of school and employment counselors. They are sold by the Government Printing Office. Use the order card in the back of this issue of the OOQ or request publications on a separate sheet of paper. Send orders to: Bureau of Labor Statistics Publication Sales Center P.O. Box 2145 Chicago, IL 60690 (312) 353-1880 Payment by check, money order, VISA, MasterCard, DiscoverNOVUS, or GPO deposit account must accompany your order. Make check or money order payable to the Superintendent of Documents. Key Phrases in the "Brief" Changing employment between 1996 and 2006 If the statement Employment is projected to... about growth reads... Much faster than average Increase 36 percent or more Faster than average Increase 21 to 35 percent About as fast as average Increase 10 to 20 percent Little change or more Increase 0 to 9 percent slowly than average Decline Decrease 1 percent or more Opportunities and competition for jobs If the statement about Job openings compared to opportunities reads... jobseekers may be... Excellent Much more numerous Very good More numerous Good or favorable About the same May face competition Fewer May face keen competition Many fewer Reprints of this article will be sold by the Superintendent of Documents and are available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Publication Sales Center, P.O. Box 2145, Chicago, IL 60690. -------------------------------------------------------- Occupational Outlook in Brief 1996-2006 The names of the 10 major occupational clusters are printed with ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. The names of subgroups are inset slightly, and the names of individual occupations are inset further. All estimates of employment in 1996 and projected change in employment are based on the BLS Industry-Occupational Matrix, unless otherwise noted. This symbol * marks the occupations that are projected to grow the fastest or provide the most new jobs. This column compares the employment change for the occupation with that for total employment. When possible, it also indicates the amount of competition that jobseekers can expect. The terms used for these comparisons are defined in the box on page 8. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Accountants and auditors Employment, 1996: 1,002,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 12 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 9,400 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow as fast as average. Professional recognition through certification or licensure, a master's degree, familiarity with accounting and auditing computer software, or specialized expertise provide an advantage in the job market. Due to the large size of this occupation, many job openings will occur. However, competition will remain keen for the most prestigious jobs: those with major accounting and business firms. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Administrative services managers Employment, 1996: 291,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 11 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 33,000 Employment prospects: Average employment growth is expected. Like other managerial occupations, this occupation is characterized by low turnover. These factors, coupled with the ample supply of competent, experience workers seeking managerial jobs, should result in keen competition for administrative services management positions in the future. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Budget analysts Employment, 1996: 66,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 12 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 7,700 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow as fast as average. Competition for jobs should remain keen because of the substantial number of qualified applicants; people with a master's degree should enjoy the best job prospects. Experience working with financial software will also enhance opportunities. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Construction and building inspectors Employment, 1996: 66,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 14 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 10,000 Employment prospects: Average employment growth is expected as growing concern for public safety and improvements in the quality of construction continue to stimulate demand. Job opportunities should be best for highly experienced supervisors and craft workers who have some college education, have some engineering or architectural training, or are certified as inspectors or plan examiners. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Construction managers Employment, 1996: 49,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 18 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 45,000 Employment prospects: Average employment growth is expected as the level of construction activity and complexity of construction projects continues to increase. Prospects in construction management, engineering and architectural services, and construction contracting firms should be particularly favorable for persons who have worked in construction and have a bachelor's degree or higher in construction science, construction management, or engineering. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Cost estimators Employment, 1996: 188,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 16 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 29,000 Employment prospects: Employment growth is expected to be about as fast as average. Job prospects should remain favorable. Growth in the construction industry, where over 60 percent of all cost estimators are employed, will be a driving force behind demand for these workers. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Education administrators Employment, 1996: 386,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 12 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 45,000 Employment prospects: Average employment growth is expected due to increasing school enrollments, services provided to students, and efforts to improve the quality of education. Substantial competition is expected for prestigious jobs such as higher education administrators. On the other hand, it is becoming more difficult to attract candidates for principal, vice principal, and administration jobs at the elementary and secondary school level, so competition for these jobs is decreasing. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Employment interviewers Employment, 1996: 87,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 16 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 14,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow as fast as average, spurred by expansion of personnel supply firms, particularly those specializing in temporary help. Job growth is not anticipated in State job service offices. In firms with a special focus such as accounting or law, a background in the specialized field is helpful, if not required. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Engineering, science, and computer systems managers Employment, 1996: 343,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 45* Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 155,000 Employment prospects: Employment, which is expected to increase much faster than average, is closely related to the growth of the occupations these workers supervise and to changes in the industries in which they are found. Underlying much of the growth of managers in science and engineering are competitive pressures and advancing technologies, which force companies to update and improve products more frequently. Employment of computer systems managers will increase rapidly due to the expansion of the computer services industry and the increased employment of computer systems analysts. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Farmer and farm managers Employment, 1996: 1,290,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -9 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -118,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to decline due to increasing productivity and consolidation in the agricultural production industry. Aquaculture, or fish farming, should provide some new job opportunities. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Financial managers Employment, 1996: 800,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 18 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 146,000 Employment prospects: Average employment growth reflects the need for skilled financial management. Jobseekers with lending experience should enjoy the best opportunities for branch management jobs in banks. Those who have a graduate degree, a strong analytical background, and knowledge of various aspects of financial management should enjoy the best opportunities for other positions. Developing expertise in a rapidly growing industry, such as health care, could also be an advantage in the job market. Like other managerial occupations, competition is expected because applicants will outnumber job openings. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Funeral directors Employment, 1996: 33,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 2 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 700 Employment prospects: Employment of funeral directors is expected to increase more slowly than average, but many openings will arise from replacement needs. Although funeral directors are highly attached to their jobs, there are more workers age 55 and over in this occupation than in any other. Employment opportunities are expected to be excellent because the number of graduates in mortuary science is likely to continue to be smaller than the number of job openings. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: General managers and top executives Employment, 1996: 3,210,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 15 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 467,000* Employment prospects: Average employment growth is expected. Because this is a large occupation, many openings will occur each year as executives transfer to other positions, start their own businesses, or retire. Nonetheless, competition for top managerial jobs will be keen. Many executives who leave their jobs transfer to other executive or managerial positions, limiting openings for new entrants. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Government chief executives and legislators Employment, 1996: 93,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 2 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 2,100 Employment prospects: Little, if any, growth is expected in the number of State or Federal government chief executives and legislators. Few new governments at any level are likely to form, and the number of chief executives and legislators in existing governments rarely changes. Some increase will occur at the local level as counties, cities, and towns take on new responsibilities. New positions will develop as cities and counties turn to professional management to deal with growth, Federal regulations, and long-range planning and as volunteer positions are converted to paid ones. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Health services managers Employment, 1996: 329,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 28 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 93,000 Employment prospects: Faster than average growth is expected as the health care industry expands and diversifies. Opportunities will be good in home health care, long-term care, and nontraditional health organizations, such as managed care operations, particularly for health services managers who combine work experience in the health care field with strong business and management skills. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Hotel managers and assistants Employment, 1996: 175,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 12 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 21,000 Employment prospects: Average job growth is expected. Population growth and rising personal incomes will continue to produce growth in the number of hotels and other lodging places and, therefore, of managers. Those with college degrees in hotel management will have the best opportunities. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Human resources specialists and managers Employment, 1996: 544,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 18 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 97,000 Employment prospects: Average employment growth reflects the increasing need for human resources specialists in a wide range of areas. While a college degree is sufficient for most positions, some jobs may require a graduate or professional degree. The job market is likely to remain competitive in view of the abundant supply of qualified college graduates and experienced workers. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Industrial production managers Employment, 1996: 207,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -3 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -5,200 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to decline as organizational restructuring and productivity increases reduce the demand for these workers. Just-in-time manufacturing will limit the need for production planning, while the application of computers to recordkeeping and production will help to balance responsibilities. Opportunities will be best for college graduates with degrees in business administration and industrial engineering. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Inspectors and compliance officers, except construction Employment, 1996: 163,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 5 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 8,400 Employment prospects: Little growth in employment is expected, reflecting a balance of continuing public demand for a safe environment and quality products against the desire for smaller government and fewer regulations. Job openings will arise primarily from the need to replace those who transfer to other occupations, retire, or leave the labor force for other reasons. In private industry, employment growth will reflect industry growth due to continuing self-enforcement of government and company regulations and policies, particularly among franchise operations in various industries. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Loan officers and counselors Employment, 1996: 209,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 28 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 59,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow faster than average. Increases in the number and complexity of loans will sustain the growth despite a projected employment decline in the banking industry, where most loan officers and counselor work. Those with a college education or a strong sales background will have the best employment opportunities. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Management analysts and consultants Employment, 1996: 244,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 21 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 52,000 Employment prospects: Faster than average employment growth is expected as industry and government increasingly rely on outside expertise to improve the performance of their organizations. Growth is expected not only in very large consulting firms, but also in smaller consulting firms whose consultants specialize in certain areas. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Marketing, advertising, and public relations managers Employment, 1996: 482,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 29 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 138,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to increase faster than average. Increasingly intense domestic and global competition in products and services offered to consumers should require greater marketing, promotional, and public relations efforts. Competition for these jobs should be intense, but college graduates with extensive experience, a high level of creativity, and strong communication skills will have the best prospects. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Property managers Employment, 1996: 271,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 16 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 44 Employment prospects: Average employment growth is projected. The number of commercial, industrial, and residential properties requiring professional property management is expected to drive employment growth. Opportunities should be best for persons with college degrees in business administration and related fields, as well as for those who attain professional designations. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Purchasers and buyers Employment, 1996: 639,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 5 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 32,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow more slowly than average. The increasing use of computers by businesses and governments when purchasing goods and services is expected to reduce the demand for these workers. Furthermore, new business practices, such as long term contracting and the use of credit cards, are expected to allow businesses and government agencies to rely on fewer purchasers and buyers when obtaining necessary supplies and services. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Restaurant and food service managers Employment, 1996: 493,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 34 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 166,000 Employment prospects: Job growth is expected to be faster than average. Population growth and rising personal incomes will continue to produce growth in the number of eating and drinking establishments and, therefore, of managers. Those with college degrees in restaurant or institutional food service management will have the best opportunities. Cluster: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Underwriters, insurance Employment, 1996: 95,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 6 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 5,700 Employment prospects: Employment is projected to grow more slowly than average as more businesses self-insure and as insurance companies increasingly forego some personal lines of insurance and use underwriting software systems that automatically analyze and rate insurance applications. Computer-literate college graduates will have the best opportunities. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Air transportation-related occupations Occupation: Aircraft pilots Employment, 1996: 110,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 14 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 15,000 Employment prospects: Despite employment growth as fast as average, pilots should face considerable competition for jobs because the glamour, prestige, and high pay associated with the occupation attracts many applicants. Generally, the best prospects are for pilots who have logged the most flying hours using the more sophisticated equipment and for those who have the most FAA licenses. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Air transportation-related occupations Occupation: Air traffic controllers Employment, 1996: 29,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 0 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 0 Employment prospects: Little or no employment growth is expected as productivity gains stemming from laborsaving air traffic control equipment offset the demand generated by more air travel. Competition for jobs is expected to remain keen because of the occupation's few job openings and relatively high pay. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Engineers and engineering technicians Occupation: Engineers Employment, 1996: 1,382,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 18 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 250,000* Employment prospects: Employment is expected to increase about as fast as average, while the number of degrees granted in engineering is expected to remain near present levels through 2006. Therefore, a favorable job outlook is expected. Companies increasingly will rely on engineers to improve both product design and efficiency. Computer technology is not expected to curtail employment opportunities. Increased investment in plant and equipment should account for many openings as companies expand their output of goods and services. More engineers will also be needed to improve or build new roads, bridges, water and pollution control systems, and other public facilities. Because defense expenditures are expected to continue at relatively low levels, the job outlook for engineers working for defense contractors may not be as favorable. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Engineers and engineering technicians Occupation: Aerospace Engineers Employment, 1996: 53,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 8 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 4,000 Employment prospects: Employment growth is expected to be slower than average due to decreased federal expenditures, particularly from the Defense Department. The growth of the commercial aircraft industry will account for most job openings. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Engineers and engineering technicians Occupation: Chemical engineers Employment, 1996: 49,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 15 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 7,400 Employment prospects: Although employment in the chemical manufacturing industry is projected to grow slowly, employment of chemical engineers should increase about as fast as average as chemical companies research and develop new chemicals and more efficient processes to increase output of existing chemicals. Nonmanufacturing industries, especially service industries and areas relating to the production of specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and plastics materials, may provide better opportunities than other portions of the chemical industry. The projected surplus of chemical engineering graduates may result in competition for jobs. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Engineers and engineering technicians Occupation: Civil engineers Employment, 1996: 196,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 18 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 35,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to increase as fast as average. Population growth and an expanding economy will require more civil engineers to design and construct buildings and higher capacity transportation, water supply, and pollution control systems. Employment opportunities will vary by geographic area and may decrease during economic slowdowns, when construction often is curtailed. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Engineers and engineering technicians Occupation: Electrical and electronics engineers Employment, 1996: 367,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 29 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 105,000 Employment prospects: Faster than average job growth is expected. The need for electronics manufacturers to invest heavily in research and development to remain competitive will provide many openings, as will increased demand for improved computers and communications equipment and other electronic products. Job growth is expected to be fastest in nonmanufacturing industries as firms increasingly obtain electronic engineering expertise from consulting and service companies. Opportunities for electronics engineers in defense-related firms may improve with the upgrading of existing aircraft and weapons systems. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Engineers and engineering technicians Occupation: Industrial engineers Employment, 1996: 115,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 14 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 16,000 Employment prospects: Average employment growth and favorable opportunities are expected due to industrial growth, more complex business operations, and the greater use of automation in factories and offices. Industrial engineers' function - to improve a product's quality and efficiency - should result in continued demand for their services. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Engineers and engineering technicians Occupation: Mechanical engineers Employment, 1996: 228,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 16 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 36,000 Employment prospects: Average employment growth is expected, and job opportunities should be sufficient to absorb new entrants to the field. In manufacturing, the number of engineers should increase as the demand for improved machinery and tools grows an industrial processes become more complex. Business and engineering services firms are expected to have the most openings as other industries increasingly consult with these firms for engineering expertise. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Engineers and engineering technicians Occupation: Metallurgical, ceramic, and materials engineers Employment, 1996: 18,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 7 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 1,200 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to increase more slowly than average. Many industries in which these engineers are concentrated are expected to experience little or no employment growth. However, research, testing, and engineering and architectural consulting services should provide enough job openings to absorb the relatively low number of new graduates. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Engineers and engineering technicians Occupation: Mining engineers Employment, 1996: 3,100 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -13 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -400 Employment prospects: Employment, which is closely linked to the price of metals and minerals, is expected to decline. New graduates, despite their small number, are expected to encounter competition for the traditionally few job opportunities. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Engineers and engineering technicians Occupation: Nuclear engineers Employment, 1996: 14,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 5 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 700 Employment prospects: Slow employment growth is expected because of limited construction of nuclear power plants and the possibility that others may shut down. Nevertheless, nuclear engineers will be needed to operate existing plants, comply with environmental standards, and develop nuclear medical technology. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Engineers and engineering technicians Occupation: Petroleum engineers Employment, 1996: 13,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -14 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -1,900 Employment prospects: Employment will decline unless the price of oil and gas prices enough to fund further investment in oil and gas exploration and production in this country. Even without job growth, opportunities for petroleum engineers should be favorable because of the low number of degrees awarded in petroleum engineering. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Engineering technicians Occupation: Employment, 1996: 698,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 10 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 70,000 Employment prospects: Average growth is expected overall, though the employment outlook varies with area of specialization and industry. The growing availability and use of advanced technologies, such as computer-aided design and drafting and computer simulation, will continue to increase productivity and affect employment growth. As technology becomes more sophisticated, employers continue to look for technicians skilled in new technology. Opportunities should be best for individuals who have completed a 2-year program in engineering technology. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Architects, surveyors, and drafters Occupation: Architects Employment, 1996: 94,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 20 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 18,000 Employment prospects: Average employment growth is expected as construction of new buildings and the renovation of old buildings spur demand for architects. Competition for jobs is often keen, especially during recessions. Prospective architects who complete a summer internship while in school and know computer-aided design and drafting technology should have the best opportunities. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Architects, surveyors, and drafters Occupation: Drafters Employment, 1996: 310,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 2 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 7,000 Employment prospects: Little employment change is expected, despite an increase in the demand for drafting services due to industrial growth and complex design problems associated with new products and manufacturing. Greater use of computer-aided design and drafting equipment should offset growth in demand. Job opportunities should be best for individuals who have at least 2 years of training in a technically strong drafting program and experience using computer-aided drafting systems. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Architects, surveyors, and drafters Occupation: Landscape architects Employment, 1996: 17,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 21 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 3,500 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow faster than average. Planning and design of new developments and increased conversion of open space into recreation areas, wildlife refuges, and parks will require the skills of landscape architects. New graduates may face competition for jobs in the largest and most prestigious firms. Internship experience can enhance employment prospects. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Architects, surveyors, and drafters Occupation: Surveyors and mapping scientists Employment, 1996: 101,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -1 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -1,400 Employment prospects: A slight decline in employment is projected as widespread availability and use of advanced technologies are increasing both the accuracy and productivity of the work. Despite declining employment, job opportunities will continue to result from the need to replace workers who leave the occupation. Opportunities should be best for surveyors and mapping scientists who have at least a bachelor's degree and strong technical skills. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Computer, mathematical, and operations research occupations Occupation: Actuaries Employment, 1996: 16,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 2 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 300 Employment prospects: Employment of actuaries is projected to grow more slowly than average due to expected slower growth in the insurance industry. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Computer, mathematical, and operations research occupations Occupation: Computer programmers Employment, 1996: 568,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 23 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 129,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow faster than average. Drive by vary rapid growth n the computer and data processing services industry, job opportunities should remain plentiful in data processing services firms, software houses, and computer consulting businesses. Prospects should be best for college graduates with experience in a variety of programming languages who are knowledgeable about the latest skills and technologies. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Computer, mathematical, and operations research occupations Occupation: Computer scientists, computer engineers, and systems analysts Employment, 1996: 933,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 108* Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 1,004,000* Employment prospects: Much faster than average growth is expected as organizations continue to adopt and integrate sophisticated technology. Increasing demand for computer and data processing services, the need for computer support, and new applications should drive employment growth. Due to the very rapid growth expected, job opportunities should be excellent. Opportunities should be particularly favorable for individuals with a degree in computer science, computer engineering, information science, or information systems. Prospects should also be very favorable for college graduates with noncomputer science majors who have had courses in computer science, computer programming, and systems analysis. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Computer, mathematical, and operations research occupations Occupation: Mathematicians Employment, 1996: 16,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 9 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 1,400 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to increase more slowly than average. The number of jobs available for workers whose educated background is solely mathematics is not expected to increase significantly. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Computer, mathematical, and operations research occupations Occupation: Operations research analysts Employment, 1996: 50,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 8 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 3,900 Employment prospects: Although slow employment growth is expected, job prospects should be better for individuals who hold master's or Ph.D. degrees in management science or operations research. People with these credentials who seek employment as operations research or management science analysts should find good opportunities. The number of openings is expected to exceed the number of persons with graduate degrees. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Computer, mathematical, and operations research occupations Occupation: Statisticians Employment, 1996: 14,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 1 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 100 Employment prospects: Little or no employment growth is expected through the year 2006; however, job opportunities should remain favorable for people with statistical training, especially those with advanced degrees. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Scientists and science technicians Occupation: Employment, 1996: Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: Employment prospects: Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Life scientists Occupation: Agricultural scientists Employment, 1996: 24,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 20 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 4,800 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow as fast as average. The need to develop new an improved agricultural products and practices to feed a growing population will drive demand. Competition may be keen for some research jobs. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Life scientists Occupation: Biological and medical scientists Employment, 1996: 118,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 25 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 29,000 Employment prospects: Faster than average employment growth reflects further research into health-related issues such as AIDS, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease; the growing use of biotechnology techniques in pharmaceutical firms; and continuing advances in genetic research. Biological and medical scientists can expect strong competition for basic research positions. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Life scientists Occupation: Foresters and conservation scientists Employment, 1996: 37,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 17 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 6,400 Employment prospects: Overall, average employment growth is expected. A continuing emphasis on responsible management of forested lands will spur demand for foresters. However, budgetary constraints in the Federal Government and reductions in timber harvesting on public lands will dampen overall job growth. Government regulations regarding water quality and the management of stormwater and coastlines will spur the need for soil conservationists and water quality experts at the State and local government levels. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Physical scientists Occupation: Chemists Employment, 1996: 91,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 18 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 17,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow as fast as average. Slow or declining employment growth in most segments of the chemical industry will be offset by demand for chemists in pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms and in research, development, and testing firms. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Physical scientists Occupation: Geologists and geophysicists Employment, 1996: 47,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 15 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 6,900 Employment prospects: Average employment growth is expected, due in part to a generally improved outlook in the oil and gas industry. Job opportunities should be limited in the U.S. Geological Survey and other agencies as the Federal Government attempts to balance its budget. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Physical scientists Occupation: Meteorologists Employment, 1996: 7,300 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 8 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 600 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow more slowly than average. Some job growth is expected in private weather consulting firms and environmental consulting firms. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Physical scientists Occupation: Physicists and astronomers Employment, 1996: 18,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -2 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -300 Employment prospects: A slight decline in employment will result from further reductions in defense-related research, a continued slowdown in the growth of civilian physics-related research, and proposed cutbacks and overall budget tightening in the Federal Government. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Science technicians Occupation: Employment, 1996: 228,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 13 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 29,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to increase as fast as average. Growth in scientific and medical research and the development and production of technical products should stimulate demand for technicians in all areas. Job opportunities are expected to be best for qualified graduates of science technician training programs or applied science technology programs who are knowledgeable of equipment used in industrial and government laboratories and production facilities. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Legal occupations Occupation: Lawyers and judges Employment, 1996: 699,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 17 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 120,000 Employment prospects: Employment of lawyers is expected to grow about as fast as average, reflecting growth in the population and in business activities; increased legal action in health care, intellectual property, international law, elder law, sexual harassment, and the environment; and the wider availability and affordability of legal clinics and prepaid legal service. Employment of judges is expected to grow more slowly than average due to tight government budgets. Competition should remain keen for job openings for both lawyers and judges. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Legal occupations Occupation: Paralegals Employment, 1996: 113,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 68 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 76,000 Employment prospects: Much faster than average growth is expected as law firms and other employers increasingly hire paralegals to lower the cost and increase the availability and efficiency of legal services. Competition for jobs should continue the growing number of graduates from paralegal education program keeps pace with employment growth. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Social scientists Occupation: Economists and marketing research analysts Employment, 1996: 51,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 19 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 9,400 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average. Most job openings are likely to result from the need to replace experienced workers who transfer to other occupations, retire, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Social scientists Occupation: Psychologists Employment, 1996: 143,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 8 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 11,000 Employment prospects: Overall employment is expected to grow more slowly than average. Job opportunities should increase only slightly in health care while increasing more rapidly in other services. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Social scientists Occupation: Urban and regional planners Employment, 1996: 29,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 5 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 1,400 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow more slowly than average. Factors contributing to limited job growth include the need for governments to do more with less. Most planners work in local government, where limited resources require careful balancing of competing demands for services. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Social and recreation workers Occupation: Recreation workers Employment, 1996: 233,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 22 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 52,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to increase faster than average as growing numbers of people have both the time and the money to enjoy leisure services. Job growth will also stem from increased interest in fitness and health and the rising demand for recreational opportunities for residents of senior centers and retirement communities. Competition is expected for full-time career positions, but prospects are better for the large number of seasonal jobs. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Social and recreation workers Occupation: Social and human services assistants Employment, 1996: 178,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 55* Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 98,000 Employment prospects: Jobs are expected to increase much faster than average due to the expansion of facilities and programs for the elderly and disabled and for families in crisis. Faced with rapid growth in the demand for services but slower growth in resources to provide these services, employers are expected to rely increasingly on social and human services assistants rather than on workers who command higher pay, such as social workers. Opportunities for qualified people should be excellent due to high job turnover, relatively low pay, and the demanding nature of the work. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Social and recreation workers Occupation: Social workers Employment, 1996: 585,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 32 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 188,000 Employment prospects: Faster than average job growth is expected in response to the increased needs of the elderly, mentally ill, people with chronic health problems, and families in crisis. Competition for jobs is stronger in cities where training programs for social workers are prevalent; qualified staff is more difficult to attract and retain in rural areas. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Clergy Occupation: Protestant ministers Employment, 1996: 300,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: Employment prospects: Competition is expected to continue to the slow growth of church membership and the large number of men and women attracted to the ministry. Graduates of theological schools should have the best opportunities. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Clergy Occupation: Rabbis Employment, 1996: 4,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: Employment prospects: Job opportunities are expected to be generally favorable in the four major branches of Judaism. The present unmet need for rabbis and the fact that many rabbis are approaching retirement age should insure good job prospects for future graduates of rabbinical seminaries. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Clergy Occupation: Roman Catholic priests Employment, 1996: 49,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: Employment prospects: Opportunities are expected to continue to be very favorable due to a shortage of priests. The number of men becoming priests in recent years has not been sufficient to meet Church needs. This situation is likely to continue even if the recent modest increase in seminary enrollments continues, as an increasing proportion of priests is approaching retirement age. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Teachers, counselors, and library occupations Occupation: Adult education teachers Employment, 1996: 559,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 22 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 123,000 Employment prospects: Faster than average growth is expected as the demand for adult programs continues to rise. Opportunities should be best for part-time positions, especially in fields that offer attractive, and often higher paying, job opportunities outside of teaching. These include computer technology, automotive mechanics, and medical technology. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Teachers, counselors, and library occupations Occupation: Archivists and curators Employment, 1996: 20,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 15 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 2,900 Employment prospects: Average growth is expected as organizations establish archives and as public interest increases in science, art, history, and technology. However, museums and other cultural institutions are often subject to funding cuts during recessions or periods of budget tightening, reducing demand for archivists and curators during these times. Competition for jobs is expected to be keen as qualified applicants out-number job openings. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Teachers, counselors, and library occupations Occupation: College and university faculty Employment, 1996: 864,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 19 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 162,000 Employment prospects: Average job growth, coupled with increasing enrollments in higher education, will produce many job openings. In an effort to cut costs, however, some institutions are expected to leave these positions vacant or hire part-time faculty. Applicants will face keen competition as growing numbers of Ph.D. graduates vie for fewer full-time openings. Job prospects will be better in fields that offer attractive nonacademic job opportunities, such as computer science, engineering, and business. As more Ph.D.'s compete for openings, master's degree holders may find even more intense competition for jobs. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Teachers, counselors, and library occupations Occupation: Counselors Employment, 1996: 175,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 19 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 33,000 Employment prospects: Overall, average employment growth is expected. Rapid job growth is expected among rehabilitation and mental health counselors. However, budgetary constraints may limit growth among school counselors. When funding is tight, schools usually prefer to hire new teachers before adding counselors in an effort to keep classroom sizes at acceptable levels. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Teachers, counselors, and library occupations Occupation: Librarians Employment, 1996: 155,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 5 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 7,300 Employment prospects: Slow employment growth, along with an increasing number of graduates with a master's degree in library science, will result in more applicants competing for fewer jobs. Slower than average employment growth reflects budgetary constraints in educational institutions and increased computerization of library services. Opportunities will be best for librarians in nontraditional settings such as information brokers, private corporations, and consulting firms. Applicants for librarian jobs in large cities or suburban areas will face competition, while those willing to work in rural areas should have better job prospects. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Teachers, counselors, and library occupations Occupation: Library technicians Employment, 1996: 78,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 28 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 22,000 Employment prospects: Faster than average employment growth is expected. The increasing use of library automation - including computerized information systems - has enabled library technicians to handle many tasks formerly performed by librarians. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Teachers, counselors, and library occupations Occupation: School teachers - Kindergarten, elementary, and secondary Employment, 1996: 3,053,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 16 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 483,000 Employment prospects: Overall, average employment growth is expected. Employment of secondary school teachers is expected to grow faster than average and average employment growth is projected for kindergarten and elementary school teachers, reflecting population trends and corresponding student enrollments. Job outlook varies widely by geographic area and subject specialty. Job prospects should be better in cities and rural areas than in suburban districts, and many school districts have difficulty hiring qualified teachers in mathematics, science (especially chemistry and physics), bilingual education, and computer science. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Teachers, counselors, and library occupations Occupation: Special education teachers Employment, 1996: 407,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 59* Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 241,000 Employment prospects: Much faster than average growth will be spurred by the increasing number of special education students, legislation emphasizing training and employment for persons with disabilities, growing public concern for individuals with special needs, and educational reform. Job turnover and rapid employment growth, coupled with a declining number of graduates from special education teaching programs, should result in excellent job prospects. Many school districts report shortages of qualified teachers. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health diagnosing occupations Occupation: Chiropractors Employment, 1996: 44,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 27 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 12,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow faster than average as consumer demand for alternative medicine grows. Chiropractic treatment of back, neck, extremities, and other joint damage has become more accepted due to new research and changing public attitudes. Job prospects should be good, especially for those who establish a practice in areas with a low concentration of chiropractors. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health diagnosing occupations Occupation: Dentists Employment, 1996: 162,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 8 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 13,000 Employment prospects: Slower than average employment growth is expected. Although the growing middle-aged and elderly population requires more dental care, young people are troubled less by tooth decay. If the number of dentists being trained increases significantly above present levels, jobseekers may face competition. Most jobs will result from the need to replace the large number of dentists projected to retire. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health diagnosing occupations Occupation: Optometrists Employment, 1996: 41,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 12 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 4,800 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow as fast as average in response to the vision care needs of a growing and aging population. Employment of optometrists will also grow due to greater recognition of the importance of vision care, rising personal incomes, and growth in employee vision care plans. Replacement needs are low because optometrists generally remain in the profession until they retire. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health diagnosing occupations Occupation: Physicians Employment, 1996: 560,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 21 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 118,000 Employment prospects: Faster than average employment growth is expected as the health care industries continue to expand due to a growing and aging population, as well as the development of new technologies permitting more intensive care. Job prospects will be best for generalist physicians, while some specialists may face competition. Any overall physician oversupply will be alleviated if the number of new physicians entering the workforce is reduced. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health diagnosing occupations Occupation: Podiatrists Employment, 1996: 11,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 10 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 1,200 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average due to rising demand for podiatric services, especially from older people. A limited number of job openings for podiatrists is expected because the occupation is small and most podiatrists remain in the occupation until they retire. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health diagnosing occupations Occupation: Veterinarians Employment, 1996: 58,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 23 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 13,000 Employment prospects: Faster than average employment growth is projected. Despite expected slowdowns in the growth of the pet population, veterinarians will continue to provide more and better care to animals using new technologies and medical advancements. Large numbers of new veterinary school graduates continue to be attracted to small animal medicine, contributing to competition in this area. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health assessment and treating occupations Occupation: Dieticians and nutritionists Employment, 1996: 58,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 18 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 11,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average because of increasing emphasis on the prevention of disease through improved health habits. Employment of dieticians in hospitals is expected to decline because of anticipated slow growth in the number of inpatients, and as hospitals contract out food service operations. On the other hand, faster than average employment growth is expected in nursing homes as the number of elderly people rises sharply, as well as in contract providers of food services, residential care facilities, offices and clinics of physicians, and other social services. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health assessment and treating occupations Occupation: Occupational therapists Employment, 1996: 57,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 66* Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 38,000 Employment prospects: Much faster than average employment growth will be driven by increasing demand for rehabilitation and long-term care services from nearly all age groups. Favorable job opportunities are expected to continue. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health assessment and treating occupations Occupation: Pharmacists Employment, 1996: 172,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 13 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 22,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average due to the increased pharmaceutical needs of a larger and older population and greater use of medication. Cost conscious insurers and health systems will continue to emphasize the role of pharmacists and drug therapies in primary and preventive health services. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health assessment and treating occupations Occupation: Physical therapists Employment, 1996: 115,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 71* Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 81,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow much faster than average. Employment growth will be driven by the rising number of elderly people who are vulnerable to chronic and debilitating conditions requiring therapeutic services. Demand for physical therapy services will also rise as the baby-boom generation enters the prime age for heart attacks and strokes, increasing the need for cardiac and physical rehabilitation. Improvements in medical technology will also permit a higher survival rate of trauma victims and newborns with health problems, creating additional demand for rehabilitative care. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health assessment and treating occupations Occupation: Physician assistants Employment, 1996: 64,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 47* Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 30,000 Employment prospects: Much faster than average employment growth is expected due to anticipated expansion of the health services industry and an emphasis on cost containment. Job opportunities are expected to be excellent, particularly in areas or settings that have difficulty attracting physicians, such as rural and inner city clinics. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health assessment and treating occupations Occupation: Recreational therapists Employment, 1996: 38,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 21 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 8,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow faster than average because of anticipated expansion in long-term care, physical and psychiatric rehabilitation, and services for people with disabilities. The growing number of older adults also is expected to spur job growth. Jobs will continue to be concentrated in hospitals and nursing homes. Prospects are expected to be best for those with clinical experience. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health assessment and treating occupations Occupation: Registered nurses Employment, 1996: 1,971,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 21 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 411,000* Employment prospects: Faster than average growth of this large occupation is expected to result in many new jobs. Many job openings will also result from the need to replace registered nurses who transfer to other occupations or retire. As nursing school enrollments level off or decline, the number of qualified applicants will fall and the reported competition for jobs will be reduced. There will always be a need for traditional hospital nurses, but a large number of new nurses will be employed in home health, long term, and ambulatory care. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health assessment and treating occupations Occupation: Respiratory therapists Employment, 1996: 82,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 46* Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 37,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow much faster than average because of substantial growth of the middle-aged and elderly population, a development expected to result in an increase in cardiopulmonary disease. Job opportunities are expected to be good, especially for respiratory therapists with cardiopulmonary care skills and experience working with infants. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health assessment and treating occupations Occupation: Speech-language pathologists and audiologists Employment, 1996: 87,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 51* Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 44,000 Employment prospects: Much faster than average growth is expected. Employment in health and rehabilitation services will increase with advances in medical technology and growth in the elderly population. Employment in schools will increase with growth in elementary and secondary school enrollments, including enrollment of special education students. The number of speech-language pathologists and audiologists in private practice, though small, is like to rise sharply due to the increasing use of contract services by managed care, hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health technologists and technicians Occupation: Cardiovascular technologists and technicians Employment, 1996: 32,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 8 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 2,400 Employment prospects: Overall employment will grow more slowly than average, but technologists and technicians will experience different patterns of employment change. Employment of cardiology technologists is expected to grow faster than average. Growth will occur as the population ages because older people have a higher incidence of heart problems. In contrast, employment of EKG technicians is expected to decline as hospitals train registered nurses and others to perform basic EKG procedures. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health technologists and technicians Occupation: Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians Employment, 1996: 285,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 15 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 42,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average as the volume of laboratory tests increases with population growth and the development of new tests. Due to consolidation and restructuring, hospitals and independent laboratories have boosted productivity without hiring additional personnel. As a result, competition for jobs has increased and jobseekers may now have to look longer and harder than in the past to find employment. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health technologists and technicians Occupation: Dental hygienists Employment, 1996: 133,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 48* Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 64,000 Employment prospects: Much faster than average employment growth is expected in response to increasing demand for dental care and greater substitution of hygienists for services previously performed by dentists. Job opportunities should continue to be good if the number of graduates of dental hygiene programs does not greatly increase. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health technologists and technicians Occupation: Dispensing opticians Employment, 1996: 67,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 14 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 9,400 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow as fast as average in response to rising demand for corrective lenses. This occupation is vulnerable to changes in the business cycle because eyeglass purchases can often be deferred. The need to replace dispensing opticians who leave the occupation will result in additional job openings, but there will be relatively few job openings overall because the occupation is small. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health technologists and technicians Occupation: Electroneurodiagnostic technologists Employment, 1996: 6,500 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 24 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 1,500 Employment prospects: Faster than average employment growth is expected for electroneurodiagnostic technologists, reflecting the increased numbers of neurodiagnostic tests performed. However, the occupation is small, and few openings are expected each year. Most jobs will be found in hospitals but growth will be fastest in offices and clinics of neurologists. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health technologists and technicians Occupation: Emergency medical technicians Employment, 1996: 150,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 45* Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 67,000 Employment prospects: Employment of EMT's is expected to grow much faster than average. Much of this growth will occur as positions change from volunteer to paid and as the elderly population, which makes greatest use of emergency medical services, continues to grow. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health technologists and technicians Occupation: Health information technicians Employment, 1996: 87,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 51* Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 44,000 Employment prospects: Much faster than average employment growth is expected due to rapid increases in the number of medical tests, treatments, and procedures available. Most technicians will be employed in hospitals, but job growth will be faster in offices and clinics of physicians, nursing homes, and home health agencies. Job prospects for formally trained technicians should be very good. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health technologists and technicians Occupation: Licensed practical nurses Employment, 1996: 699,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 21 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 148,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow faster than average in response to the general growth of health care, especially the long term needs of a rapidly growing elderly population. Nursing homes will provide most new jobs. Jobseekers in hospitals may face competition as the number of hospital jobs for LPN's declines and the number of inpatients, with whom most LPN's work, stabilizers. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health technologists and technicians Occupation: Nuclear medicine technologists Employment, 1996: 13,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 13 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 1,700 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow as fast as average due to increases in the number of middle-aged and older persons, the primary users of diagnostic procedures such s nuclear medicine tests. However, relatively few job openings will occur because the occupation is small. Technologists trained in both radiologic technology and nuclear medicine will have the best prospects. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health technologists and technicians Occupation: Radiologic technologists Employment, 1996: 174,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 29 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 50,000 Employment prospects: Faster than average employment growth is expected, but jobseekers may face competition as hospitals merge radiologic and nuclear medicine departments to cut costs. The streamlining of these departments has led to slower job growth in hospitals at the same time the number of qualified applicants entering the field has increased, creating an imbalance that may persist. Technologists cross-trained in nuclear medicine technology will have the best prospects. Sonographers should experience somewhat better job opportunities as ultrasound becomes an increasingly attractive alternative to radiologic procedures. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Health technologists and technicians Occupation: Surgical technologists Employment, 1996: 49,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 32 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 15,000 Employment prospects: Faster than average growth is expected due to an aging, growing population and technological advances that will increase the number of surgical procedures performed. Hospitals will continue to be the primary employer of surgical technologists, although much faster employment growth is expected in physician offices and clinics, including ambulatory surgical centers. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Communications occupations Occupation: Broadcast technicians Employment, 1996: 46,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 15 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 6,900 Employment prospects: Overall employment is expected to grow about as fast as average, but keen competition is expected for jobs, particularly in large cities. In radio and television broadcasting, slow employment growth in expected because of laborsaving technical advances. Employment in the cable industry will grow about as fast as average, as cable operators offer additional channels. Employment in the motion picture industry will grow faster than average. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Communications occupations Occupation: Public relations specialists Employment, 1996: 110,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 27 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 30,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to increase faster than the average, but competition for jobs is likely to continue. Demand for public relations specialists should be spurred by recognition of the need for good public relations and a good public image in an increasingly competitive business environment. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Communications occupations Occupation: Radio and television announces and newscasters Employment, 1996: 52,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -1 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -300 Employment prospects: A slight decline in employment is expected. Competition for jobs as announcers will be very keen because the broadcasting field typically attracts many more jobseekers than there are jobs. Cable systems may still find some growth as young people - who are more accustomed to paying for TV than are their parents - begin to head their own households. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Communications occupations Occupation: Reporters and correspondents Employment, 1996: 60,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -3 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -1,900 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to decline. Small town and suburban newspapers will offer the best opportunities for beginners. Some growth is expected in radio and television stations, and fast growth is expected in new online media. Competition for jobs will be keen. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Communications occupations Occupation: Writers and editors Employment, 1996: 286,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 21 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 61,000 Employment prospects: Faster than average employment growth is projected, but competition is expected for jobs. Opportunities will be good for technical writers. Online publications and services, which are relatively new, will continue to grow and require increased numbers of writers and editors. Opportunities should also be good on small daily and weekly newspapers and in small radio and television stations. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Visual arts occupations Occupation: Designers Employment, 1996: 342,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 26 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 89,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow faster than average. Because of an abundance of talented, well-educated individuals, designers in most fields can expect to face stiff competition throughout their careers. Jobs in floral design should be relatively easy to find due to the occupation's relatively low pay and limited advancement opportunities. Opportunities also should be good for qualified people in some specialized fields, such as furniture design. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Visual arts occupations Occupation: Photographers and camera operators Employment, 1996: 154,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 17 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 26,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow as fast as average. The demand for images, pictures, or films - for use in newspapers, training videos, commercial films, magazines, advertising, or sales campaigns, for example - is expected to increase. However, competition is expected to be keen for what is considered an exciting career. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Visual arts occupations Occupation: Visual arts Employment, 1996: 276,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 28 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 78,000 Employment prospects: Faster than average employment growth is expected for all types of artists. However, keen competition is expected because this field's glamorous and exciting image attracts many talented people. Those who have a variety of abilities, including computer skills, will have the best job prospects. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Performing arts occupations Occupation: Actors, directors, and producers Employment, 1996: 105,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 24 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 25,000 Employment prospects: Despite faster than average job growth, keen competition is expected because large numbers of people are attracted to these careers. Only the most talented will find regular employment. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Performing arts occupations Occupation: Dancers and choreographers Employment, 1996: 23,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 28 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 6,500 Employment prospects: Jobs are expected to increase faster than average due to the public's continued interest in dance. However, very keen competition is expected for job openings, and only the most talented will find regular employment. Cluster: Professional and Technical Occupations Subgroup: Performing arts occupations Occupation: Musicians Employment, 1996: 274,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 33 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 92,000 Employment prospects: Jobs are expected to increase faster than average due to the continued demand for live and recorded music. Competition for jobs will be keen, however, and even many talented individuals will be unable to support themselves solely as musicians. Those who can play various instruments and types of music have the best prospects. Cluster: Marketing and Sales Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Cashiers Employment, 1996: 3,146,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 17 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 530,000* Employment prospects: Employment is expected to increase about as fast as average due to a growing populations increasing demand for goods and services. Because the occupation is large and turnover is high, replacement needs will continue to create a large number of both full- and part-time employment opportunities. Cluster: Marketing and sales occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Counter and rental clerks Employment, 1996: 374,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 23 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 84,000 Employment prospects: Faster than average employment growth is expected, largely due to anticipated employment growth in industries where counter and rental clerks are concentrated - business services, automotive rentals, and amusement and recreation services. Cluster: Marketing and sales occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Insurance agents and brokers Employment, 1996: 409,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 4 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 18,000 Employment prospects: Slower than average employment growth is expected as agents increasingly use computers to handle sales and access information on potential clients, enabling plans to be individually tailored. Opportunities should be best for ambitious people who enjoy competitive sales work and have expertise in a wide range of insurance and financial services. Cluster: Marketing and sales occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Manufacturers' and wholesale sales representatives Employment, 1996: 1,557,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 14 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 211,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to increase about as fast as average due to continued growth in the amount of goods to be sold. Technology is not expected to dramatically affect employment because sales workers will still need to visit prospective customers to demonstrate or describe goods or services. Cluster: Marketing and sales occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Real estate agents, brokers, and appraisers Employment, 1996: 408,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 8 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 32,000 Employment prospects: Slower than average employment growth is expected. Increasing use of electronic information technology - such as laptop computers, faxes, modems, and databases - may increase the productivity of agents, brokers, and appraisers. Use of this technology is expected to eliminate some of the more marginal workers, such as those practicing real estate part time or between jobs. Cluster: Marketing and sales occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Retail sales worker managers and supervisors Employment, 1996: 929,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 8 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 71,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow more slowly than average as retail companies place more emphasis on sales staff and increase the responsibilities of retail sales worker supervisors and managers. Some companies bypass the department level manager by requiring their sales staffs to report directly to upper management personnel. Cluster: Marketing and sales occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Retail sales workers Employment, 1996: 4,522,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 11 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 499,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to increase about as fast as the average due to anticipated growth in retail sales. Good employment opportunities are expected for full- or part-time work because of the large number who leave the occupation each year. Cluster: Marketing and sales occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Securities and financial services sales representatives Employment, 1996: 263,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 38* Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 100,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow much faster than average as investment increases and financial institutions offer more complex services. Due to the highly competitive nature of securities sales work, many new entrants are unable to develop sufficient clientele and leave after a short time. Cluster: Marketing and sales occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Services sales representatives Employment, 1996: 694,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 57* Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 393,000 Employment prospects: Although job prospects vary depending on the industry, overall employment is expected to grow much faster than average. Sales representatives for the computer and health services industries will account for a large share of the growth. However, technological advances may temper growth as automation increases sales workers' efficiency and productivity. Those who have at least a bachelor's degree or a proven sales record will have the best prospects. Cluster: Marketing and sales occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Travel agents Employment, 1996: 142,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 24 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 34,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow faster than average due to increased travel for business and pleasure. All employers require computer skills to operate reservation systems. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Adjusters, investigators, and collectors Employment, 1996: 1,340,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 25 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 335,000* Employment prospects: Overall employment is expected to increase faster than average because of growth in the population, economy, and volume of insurance sales. Employment of bill and account collectors and insurance adjusters and examiners will grow more rapidly than that of policy processing clerks, which will decline as their duties are increasingly computerized and assumed by other workers. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Bank tellers Employment, 1996: 545,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 1 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 4,600 Employment prospects: Little or no change in employment is expected due to the spread of technology and consolidation in the banking industry. Jobseekers interested in part-time positions will have the best opportunities as banks continue to reduce the number of full-time tellers they employ. Because of the large size of this occupation, many opportunities will result from job turnover. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Clerical supervisors and managers Employment, 1996: 1,369,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 19 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 262,000* Employment prospects: Projected average employment growth reflects the increasing amount of clerical work. While office automation will cause employment growth in some clerical occupations to slow or even decline, supervisors will be more likely to retain their jobs because of their relatively higher skills and longer tenure. As with other supervisory jobs, applicants can expect competition. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Computer operators Employment, 1996: 291,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -32 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -94,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to decline sharply as computer operations become more automated. Experienced operators are expected to compete for the small number of openings arising each year to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force. Opportunities should be best for operators who are familiar with a variety of operating systems and who have kept up with changes in technology. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Court reporters, medical transcriptionists, and stenographers Employment, 1996: 98,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 4 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 4,000 Employment prospects: Overall employment is projected to grow more slowly than average, as growth in medical transcriptionist jobs is offset by the decline in stenographer jobs. Demand for medical transcriptionists is expected to increase rapidly, along with the need for health care and the industries providing it. The rising number of criminal court cases and civil lawsuits will increase demand for court reporters, but budget constraints should limit expansion of Federal, State, and local courts. The widespread use of dictation machines has reduced the need for office stenographers. Certified medical transcriptionists and court reporters should have the best prospects. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: General office clerks Employment, 1996: 3,111,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 7 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 215,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow more slowly than average. Nonetheless, good job opportunities should continue to exist because of the large size and high turnover associated with this occupation. Opportunities should be best for jobseekers with computer word processing and other secretarial skills and knowledge of basic office machinery. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Information clerks Employment, 1996: 1,591,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 23 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 366,000* Employment prospects: Overall employment is expected to increase faster than average due to economic growth and business expansion. Turnover is high among these jobs. This work is well suited to flexible work schedules, and many opportunities for part-time employment will continue to be available. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Hotel and motel desk clerks Employment, 1996: 144,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 21 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 30,000 Employment prospects: Faster than average growth is expected as more hotels, motels, and other lodging establishments are built and as occupancy rates rise. Employment should be favorably affected by an increase in business and leisure travel. Turnover is high, and job opportunities should be plentiful. Many opportunities for part-time work should also continue to exist. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Interviewing and new accounts clerks Employment, 1996: 208,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 11 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 22,000 Employment prospects: Average growth is expected, but growth rates will vary by industry. Employment growth of interviewing clerks is expected to be average in health services as hospitals and health care facilities consolidate their staffs. Much faster than average employment growth is expected in personnel supply services as more organizations contract out for their services. But little change in employment is expected for new account clerks as banking technology and consolidation continue to affect growth. Opportunities should be best for applicants with a broad range of skills. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Receptionists Employment, 1996: 1,074,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 30 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 318,000* Employment prospects: Faster than average growth is expected because many receptionists work in services industries expecting significant growth. Job openings should be plentiful due to this occupation's large size and high rate of turnover. Because many receptionists also perform secretarial duties, opportunities should be best for persons with a wide range of clerical skills and experience. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks Employment, 1996: 166,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -3 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -4,500 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to decline slightly as technology continues to automate the work of these occupations. Automated reservations and ticketing, as well as ticketless travel, is reducing the need for some of these positions. Applicants are likely to face competition because entry requirements for these jobs are minimal and the number of qualified applicants exceeds the expected number of openings. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Loan clerks and credit authorizers, checkers, and clerks Employment, 1996: 252,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 1 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 3,400 Employment prospects: Little change in employment is expected. Employment in the banking industry - where most clerks work - is projected to decline slightly. However, demand for credit will grow, and the interpersonal nature of the work should keep computers from significantly affecting employment levels. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Mail clerks and messengers Employment, 1996: 268,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 9 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 23,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow more slowly than average. Despite an anticipated increase in volume, expanding us of automated systems will moderate the demand for these workers. However, favorable employment opportunities are expected due to the need to replace the large number of workers who leave the occupation each year. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing occupations Employment, 1996: 3,633,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 6 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 224,000 Employment prospects: Overall employment is expected to grow more slowly than average, and job prospects will vary among the individual occupations. Automation, which allows employees to be more productive, is the primary cause of limited job growth for most jobs in this group. Budgetary constraints and resource consolidation will affect job prospects for public-safety dispatchers. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Dispatchers Employment, 1996: 234,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 10 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 24,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average. Tight government budgets and a reallocation of resources will offset much of the increased demand for emergency services. Employment prospects should be better for dispatchers in fields other than emergency services. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Stock clerks Employment, 1996: 1,844,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 3 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 54,000 Employment prospects: Little job growth is expected in this very large occupation. Job prospects, however, should be favorable because of this occupation's high turnover. The growing use of automation will continue to affect the work of stock clerks. But most of the impact will be felt in the manufacturing divisions. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Traffic, shipping, and receiving clerks Employment, 1996: 759,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 11 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 83,000 Employment prospects: Average employment growth is expected for this occupation. Automation has had a tremendous impact on job tasks and productivity. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Postal clerks and mail carriers Employment, 1996: 629,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 7 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 41,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow more slowly than average due to improvements in and increasing use of automated systems for mail handling and sorting. Jobseekers can expect keen competition because of the high salaries, good pension plan, and job security these workers enjoy. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Record clerks Employment, 1996: 3,870,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 0 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 16,000 Employment prospects: Little or no change in employment is expected. The declines in employment growth for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks and payroll and timekeeping clerks are offsetting growth for other record clerks. Because of high turnover in this large occupational group, job opportunities should be plentiful. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Billing clerks and billing machine operators Employment, 1996: 437,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 12 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 54,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow as fast as average due to increasing demand for billing services, while employment of billing machine operators is expected to decline with computerization. Job openings are expected to be numerous because of high turnover. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks Employment, 1996: 2,250,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -5 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -102,000 Employment prospects: Declining employment is expected as new computer software streamlines the accounting process, requiring fewer workers. However, employment opportunities should be plentiful due to the occupation's large size. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Brokerage clerks and statement clerks Employment, 1996: 102,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 14 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 14,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow as fast as average for all occupations as securities transactions increase. The number of statement clerks is expected to decline slightly due to automation. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: File clerks Employment, 1996: 293,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 7 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 22,000 Employment prospects: Employment of file clerks is expected to grow more slowly than average, reflecting increased use of automated recordkeeping. However, high turnover should produce ample job openings. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Library assistants and bookmobile drivers Employment, 1996: 125,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 15 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 19,000 Employment prospects: Average employment growth is expected. Cost containment efforts may result in hiring of more library support staff than librarians. Opportunities should be good since turnover among these workers is high. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Order clerks Employment, 1996: 329,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 3 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 8,500 Employment prospects: Slower than average employment growth is expected due to automation. Substantial replacement needs should result in plentiful job openings, however, especially for outside order clerks who deal directly with the public. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Payroll and timekeeping clerks Employment, 1996: 161,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -6 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -9,600 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to decline as computer software continues to make this work more efficient, allowing these tasks to be performed by other workers. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Personnel clerks Employment, 1996: 124,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 1 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 1,800 Employment prospects: Little or no change in employment is expected for personnel clerks due to the increased use of computers. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Secretaries Employment, 1996: 3,403,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 1 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 25,000 Employment prospects: Increasing office automation will ensure little or no change in overall employment of this very large occupation. Growth in the health and legal services industries, however, will spur employment growth among medical and legal secretaries. Job openings should be plentiful, especially for those who are well qualified and experienced. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Teacher aides Employment, 1996: 981,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 38* Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 370,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow much faster than average. Student enrollment is expected to decline, but outlook will vary among the different groups. Employment of operators in telephone companies is expected to decline sharply as automation continues to increase productivity and deregulation increases competition for phone services from other industries. The number of switchboard or PBX operators is expected to grow, although more slowly than the average, as many firms employ switchboard operators in response to customer preferences. However, as older, human-operated switchboards are replaced by ones that route calls automatically, some operator jobs will be eliminated. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Telephone operators Employment, 1996: 319,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -9 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -30,000 Employment prospects: Job opportunities will be limited as overall employment is expected to decline, but outlook will vary among the different groups. Employment of operators is telephone companies is expected to decline sharply as automation continues to increase productivity and deregulation increases competition for phone services from other industries. The number of switchboard or PBX operators is expected to grow, although more slowly than the average, as many firms employ switchboard operators in response to customer preferences. However, as older, human-operated switchboards are replaced by ones that route calls automatically, some operator jobs will be eliminated. Cluster: Administrative Support Occupations Including Clerical Subgroup: Occupation: Typists, word processors, and data entry keyers Employment, 1996: 1,088,151 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -7 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -74,000 Employment prospects: Employment is projected to decline due to the proliferation of personal computers and other technologies. Job prospects will be brightest for those with expertise in computer equipment and software packages. Cluster: Service Occupations Subgroup: Food and beverage service occupations Occupation: Chefs, cooks, and other kitchen workers Employment, 1996: 3,402,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 17 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 583,000* Employment prospects: Employment will increase about as fast as average as more people dine out. High turnover - characteristic of occupations attractive to people seeking a short-term source of income rather than a career - will result in plentiful job openings. Cluster: Service Occupations Subgroup: Food and beverage service occupations Occupation: Food and beverage service workers Employment, 1996: 4,766,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 11 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 530,000* Employment prospects: Average employment growth is projected as more people dine out. Job openings should continue to be plentiful due to high turnover. Cluster: Service Occupations Subgroup: Health service occupations Occupation: Dental assistants Employment, 1996: 202,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 38* Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 77,000 Employment prospects: Much faster than average employment growth and above average job turnover should result in good job opportunities. Population growth and greater retention of natural teeth by middle-aged and older people will fuel demand for dental services. Dentists are expected to hire more assistants to perform routine tasks. Cluster: Service Occupations Subgroup: Health service occupations Occupation: Medical assistants Employment, 1996: 225,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 74* Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 166,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow much faster than average as the health services industry expands due to a growing and aging population and technological advances in medicine. Growth will be driven by an increasing number of group practices, clinics, and other health care facilities. Medical assistants work primarily in outpatient settings, where much faster than average growth is expected. Job prospects should be best for medical assistants with formal training or experience. Cluster: Service Occupations Subgroup: Health service occupations Occupation: Nursing aides and psychiatric aides Employment, 1996: 1,415,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 24 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 342,000* Employment prospects: Faster than average employment growth is expected in response to an emphasis on rehabilitation and the long-term care needs of a rapidly aging population. Job prospects for nursing aides should be good due to fast growth and high turnover. In contrast, employment of psychiatric aides is expected to grow more slowly than average because employment in hospitals is likely to decline due to limits on inpatient psychiatric treatment. Cluster: Service Occupations Subgroup: Health service occupations Occupation: Occupational therapy assistants and aides Employment, 1996: 16,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 69* Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 11,000 Employment prospects: Much faster than average employment growth is expected as the population ages and requires occupational therapy and as medical advances allow more critically ill patients to survive and benefit from rehabilitation. Opportunities for jobseekers should be favorable, but the number of job openings will be low because the occupation is small. Cluster: Service Occupations Subgroup: Health service occupations Occupation: Physical and corrective therapy assistants and aides Employment, 1996: 84,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 79* Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 66,000 Employment prospects: Physical therapy assistants and aides is expected to be one of the fastest growing occupations in the economy, as a growing and aging population increases the demand for physical therapy services. Older patients often need more assistance in their treatment, making the roles of assistants and aides vital. Licensed physical therapy assistants provide cost-effective physical therapy, allowing more patients to receive care at substantially lower costs. Cluster: Service Occupations Subgroup: Personal, buildings, and grounds service occupations Occupation: Barbers and cosmetologists Employment, 1996: 701,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 10 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 72,000 Employment prospects: Employment of cosmetologists is projected to grow about as fast as average, while employment of barbers is expected to decline. The increasing demand for cosmetology services of a growing population will drive employment growth, and the rising popularity of full-service salons will benefit cosmetologists more than barbers. The outlook is especially bright for manicurists and cosmetologists specializing in skin care. Cluster: Service Occupations Subgroup: Personal, buildings, and grounds service occupations Occupation: Flight attendants Employment, 1996: 132,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 35 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 46,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow faster than average as the number of airline passengers continues to increase. Applicants with at least 2 years of experience in dealing with the public should have good prospects. Cluster: Service Occupations Subgroup: Personal, buildings, and grounds service occupations Occupation: Homemaker-home health aides Employment, 1996: 697,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 79* Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 550,000* Employment prospects: Much faster than average employment growth is expected because of increasing reliance on home health care for patients of all ages. Demand for home health care services will stem from moving patients out of hospitals and nursing facilities quickly, the move toward providing treatment in familiar surroundings, and the development of improved medical technologies for in-home treatment. Due to rapid growth and high turnover, job opportunities should be excellent, especially for those with experience or training as homemaker-home health aides or nursing aides. Cluster: Service Occupations Subgroup: Personal, buildings, and grounds service occupations Occupation: Janitors and cleaners and cleaning supervisors Employment, 1996: 3,242,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 4 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 135,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow more slowly than average. Job openings should be plentiful for janitors and cleaners because limited formal education and training requirements, low pay, and numerous part-time and temporary jobs contribute to a high turnover rate in this large occupation. Cluster: Service Occupations Subgroup: Personal, buildings, and grounds service occupations Occupation: Landscaping, groundskeeping, nursery, greenhouse, and lawn service occupations Employment, 1996: 925,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 20 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 180,000 Employment prospects: Average employment growth is expected. New construction will contribute to demand as developers continue to use landscaping services to attract buyers and tenants. Landscaping, groundskeeping, and lawn service workers will also be needed to maintain and renovate existing landscapes on commercial and residential sites. Many jobs are seasonal, and opportunities vary depending on local economic conditions. Cluster: Service Occupations Subgroup: Personal, buildings, and grounds service occupations Occupation: Preschool teachers and child-care workers Employment, 1996: 1,172,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 32 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 379,000* Employment prospects: Faster than average growth is expected. Although the number of children under age 5 is expected to decline slightly, the proportion of youngsters in child care and preschool should increase. High turnover combined with rapid job growth is expected to create many openings for preschool teachers and child-care workers. Qualified persons should have little trouble finding a job. Cluster: Service Occupations Subgroup: Personal, buildings, and grounds service occupations Occupation: Private household workers Employment, 1996: 802,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -15 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -121,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to decline as private household duties are increasingly assumed by child-care and household cleaning service firms. Nevertheless, job opportunities should be excellent due to the limited number of jobseekers in this field. Cluster: Service Occupations Subgroup: Personal, buildings, and grounds service occupations Occupation: Veterinary assistants and nonfarm animal caretakers Employment, 1996: 163,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 23 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 37,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow faster than average as pet owners increasingly make use of grooming, daily and overnight boarding, and veterinary services. Cluster: Service Occupations Subgroup: Protective service occupations Occupation: Correctional officers Employment, 1996: 320,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 32 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 103,000 Employment prospects: Faster than average employment growth and the need to replace correctional officers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force will generate many thousands of job openings each year. Job opportunities are expected to be favorable. Cluster: Service Occupations Subgroup: Protective service occupations Occupation: Firefighting occupations Employment, 1996: 293,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 5 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 16,000 Employment prospects: Slower than average employment growth is expected as fire departments compete for funding with other public service providers. Growth will be driven by the expansion of residential areas beyond urban centers and increased complexity of the work resulting in fewer qualified volunteers. Available openings are expected to fall short of applicants, causing keen competition. Cluster: Service Occupations Subgroup: Protective service occupations Occupation: Guards Employment, 1996: 955,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 23 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 221,000 Employment prospects: Faster than average employment growth is expected, contributing to favorable job opportunities. The occupation's large size and high turnover rate place it among those providing the greatest number of job openings. Many opportunities are expected. Cluster: Service Occupations Subgroup: Protective service occupations Occupation: Police, detectives, and special agents Employment, 1996: 704,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 13 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 90,000 Employment prospects: Employment of police officers, detectives, and special agents is expected to increase as fast as average. Demand for police services should increase with society's heightened concern about crime and security. Cluster: Service Occupations Subgroup: Protective service occupations Occupation: Private detectives and investigators Employment, 1996: 58,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 18 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 11,000 Employment prospects: Employment of private detectives and investigators is expected to grow as fast as average. In addition, job turnover should create many additional openings, particularly among wage and salary workers. Nevertheless, competition is expected for openings because of the many people who find private detective and investigator careers attractive and the relatively young law enforcement and military retirees who are qualified to enter the field. Cluster: Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Subgroup: Occupation: Aircraft mechanics, including engine specialists Employment, 1996: 137,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 13 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 18,000 Employment prospects: Average employment growth is expected as use of air travel continues to expand. Job prospects should be best at smaller commuter and regional airlines and FAA repair stations and in general aviation. Cluster: Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Subgroup: Occupation: Automotive body repairers Employment, 1996: 225,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 13 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 29,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to increase as fast as average due to growth in the number of motor vehicles made of materials that are more difficult to work with and are more easily damaged than steel. Opportunities should be best for persons with formal training in automotive body repair or mechanics. Cluster: Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Subgroup: Occupation: Automotive mechanics Employment, 1996: 775,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 12 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 96,000 Employment prospects: Average employment growth is expected. The need for qualified mechanics to service a growing number of motor vehicles will continue to be concentrated in automobile dealerships, independent automotive repair shops, and specialty car care chains. Job opportunities are expected to be good for people who complete formal automotive training programs. Persons whose training includes basic electronics skills should have the best opportunities. Cluster: Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Subgroup: Occupation: Diesel mechanics Employment, 1996: 266,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 8 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 22,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to increase more slowly than average as trucks and other diesel-powered transportation equipment require qualified mechanics. Opportunities should be best for those who complete formal diesel mechanic training programs. Cluster: Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Subgroup: Occupation: Electronic equipment repairers Employment, 1996: 386,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 8 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 32,000 Employment prospects: Overall employment is expected to grow more slowly than average. Although the amount of electronic equipment will grow rapidly, lower equipment prices and improvements in product reliability and ease of service will dampen the need for repairers. Cluster: Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Subgroup: Occupation: Commercial and industrial electronic equipment repairers Employment, 1996: 60,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 12 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 7,000 Employment prospects: Average employment growth is expected overall. Employment in private industry is expected to grow faster than average as business and industrial firms install more equipment to boost productivity and improve product quality. Because of cuts in the defense budget, however, employment in the Federal Government is expected to decline significantly. Cluster: Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Subgroup: Occupation: Communications equipment mechanics Employment, 1996: 116,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 4 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 5,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow more slowly than average. Fewer workers are needed for maintenance and repair because new digital systems are more reliable and compact and permit more efficient centralized maintenance. Consolidations and mergers of cable and telephone companies will result in greater efficiency and could cause slower growth in employment. Further slowing may occur as companies cut costs in the wake of deregulation and heightened competition. Cluster: Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Subgroup: Occupation: Computer and office machine repairers Employment, 1996: 141,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 37* Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 53,000 Employment prospects: Overall employment is expected to grow much faster than average. The development of new computer applications and lower computer prices will spur demand. Employment of those who repair office machines is expected to grow about as fast as average because slower growth in the amount of non-computer based office equipment will somewhat dampen demand for these repairers. Cluster: Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Subgroup: Occupation: Electronic home entertainment equipment repairers Employment, 1996: 33,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -19 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -6,200 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to decline. Improvements in reliability and ease of servicing should reduce service requirements, even while equipment use is expected to increase. However, job opportunities should be good, due to the need to replace those who transfer to higher paying occupations that also require a knowledge of electronics. Cluster: Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Subgroup: Occupation: Telephone installers and repairers Employment, 1996: 37,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -74 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -27,000 Employment prospects: Few openings are likely because employment is expected to decline sharply. Widespread use of prewired jacks and telephones and related equipment is eliminating the need for installers, and fewer phones will be worth repairing as the price of new ones continues to decline. In addition, repairers will become more efficient with portable terminals that hook into a central testing system. Cluster: Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Subgroup: Occupation: Elevator installers and repairers Employment, 1996: 25,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 8 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 2,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to increase more slowly than average. Need for these workers will increase with a growing stock of equipment and construction of new buildings with elevators and escalators. Demand will be dampened somewhat by relatively low replacement needs; workers tend to stay in these jobs because of high earnings and time invested in training. Cluster: Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Subgroup: Occupation: Farm equipment mechanics Employment, 1996: 44,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -16 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -7,000 Employment prospects: Declining employment is expected, due to continued consolidation of farmland and increased reliability of the equipment. Most job openings will arise from the need to replace experienced mechanics who retire. Opportunities should be good for persons with formal training in farm equipment repair or diesel mechanics. Cluster: Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Subgroup: Occupation: General maintenance mechanics Employment, 1996: 1,362,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 18 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 246,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to increase about as fast as average as the number of office and apartment buildings, stores, schools, hospitals, hotels, and factories increases. Although construction of these facilities is expected to slow, many replacement workers will be needed. Cluster: Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Subgroup: Occupation: Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration technicians Employment, 1996: 256,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 17 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 44,000 Employment prospects: Average employment growth is expected. Demand should increase as environmental concerns continue to prompt development of energy-saving systems and as older systems are replaced with more efficient ones in existing homes and buildings. Job prospects for highly skilled technicians are expected to be very good, particularly for those with technical school or formal apprenticeship training. Cluster: Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Subgroup: Occupation: Home appliance and power tool repairers Employment, 1996: 71,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 3 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 2,400 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to increase more slowly than average as the number of households and businesses grows and new and improved appliances and tools are introduced. Increased use of electronic parts in appliances will reduce the frequency of repairs. Nevertheless, prospects should continue to be good for well trained repairers, particularly those with a strong background in electronics. Cluster: Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Subgroup: Occupation: Industrial machinery repairers Employment, 1996: 459,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 7 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 30,000 Employment prospects: Slower than average employment growth will be driven by the increasing use of automation in factories. As machines are installed, industrial machinery repairers will be hired for maintenance and repair. The machinery's reliability and self-diagnostic capabilities will limit employment growth, but prospects should be favorable for repairers with a broad range of skills. Cluster: Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Subgroup: Occupation: Line installers and cable splicers Employment, 1996: 309,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 14 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 44,000 Employment prospects: Overall employment is expected to grow about as fast as average. Technological change is expected to have little impact on electrical power line installers, whose employment should grow more slowly than average. Employment of telephone and cable television line installers and repairers, however, is projected to grow about as fast as average, consistent with the growth in telephone and cable television use. Job prospects will be best in telephone companies, particularly for those with knowledge of line installation, cable splicing, and equipment repair. Cluster: Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Subgroup: Occupation: Millwrights Employment, 1996: 78,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -2 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -1,700 Employment prospects: Employment is projected to decline slightly with productivity increases due to automation, limited growth in industrial construction, and the growing use of lower skilled workers for machinery installation and maintenance. However, good job opportunities should exist for skilled applicants to maintain and repair existing machinery, dismantle old machinery, and install new equipment. Cluster: Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Subgroup: Occupation: Mobile heavy equipment mechanics Employment, 1996: 104,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 6 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 6,800 Employment prospects: Slower than average employment growth is expected. Mechanics will be needed to support growth in the construction industry and of equipment dealers and rental and leasing companies, as well as to service equipment that maintains and repairs the country's highways and bridges. Due to shortages of qualified entrants, opportunities should be good for persons with formal training in diesel or heavy equipment mechanics. Cluster: Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Subgroup: Occupation: Motorcycle, boat, and small-engine mechanics Employment, 1996: 45,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 7 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 3,200 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow more slowly than average because of advances that have made equipment more reliable and maintenance free. Job prospects should be especially favorable for people who complete mechanic training programs. Cluster: Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Subgroup: Occupation: Musical instrument repairers and tuners Employment, 1996: 9,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 7 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 700 Employment prospects: Slower than average employment growth is expected. Growing numbers of instrument repairers will be needed to work on equipment leased to students, schools, and other organizations. The number of job openings will be small, but because only a few schools offer training, opportunities should be excellent for those who complete programs in instrument repair and tuning. Cluster: Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Subgroup: Occupation: Vending machine servicers and repairers Employment, 1996: 21,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -7 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -1,300 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to decline because of improved technology. Opportunities should be best for those who have formal training in electronics and electrical repair. Cluster: Construction Trades Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Bricklayers and stonemasons Employment, 1996: 142,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 14 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 19,000 Employment prospects: Average employment growth is expected as brick is used for decorative work and in construction of new factories, schools, hospitals, offices, and other structures. Opportunities should be good as growth in the need for trained workers outpaces the number available. Cluster: Construction Trades Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Carpenters Employment, 1996: 996,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 6 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 60,000 Employment prospects: Employment is projected to grow more slowly than average due to slower growth expected in residential and commercial construction. Employment opportunities should be plentiful because this large occupation has substantial replacement needs. Cluster: Construction Trades Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Carpet installers Employment, 1996: 64,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 12 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 7,800 Employment prospects: Average employment growth is expected due to the need to renovate existing structures and to install new carpet in industrial plants, schools, hospitals, and other structures. Cluster: Construction Trades Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Concrete masons and terrazzo workers Employment, 1996: 137,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 7 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 10,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow more slowly than average despite an increased demand for concrete and terrazzo. Productivity gains resulting from improved materials, equipment, and tools will somewhat offset the increased demand for new workers. Cluster: Construction Trades Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Drywall workers and lathers Employment, 1996: 133,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 5 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 6,600 Employment prospects: Slower than average employment growth is expected, reflecting the slow growth of new construction and renovation. However, there will be a substantial number of job openings due to high turnover in this occupation. Cluster: Construction Trades Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Electricians Employment, 1996: 575,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 9 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 52,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow more slowly than average. As the population and the economy grow, more electricians will be needed to install and maintain electrical devices and wiring in homes, factories, offices, and other structures. Opportunities for skilled electricians are expected to be very good as growth in demand outpaces the supply of trained workers. Cluster: Construction Trades Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Glaziers Employment, 1996: 36,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 5 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 1,900 Employment prospects: Slower than average employment growth is expected as a result of slow growth in both residential and commercial construction. Cluster: Construction Trades Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Insulation workers Employment, 1996: 65,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 19 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 13,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow as fast as average due to the demand for insulation in new construction and renovations and the demand for asbestos removal in existing structures. Because of high turnover, job opportunities are expected to be plentiful. Cluster: Construction Trades Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Painters and paperhangers Employment, 1996: 444,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 15 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 66,000 Employment prospects: Average employment growth is expected, and prospects should be favorable. The number of buildings in need of painting will grow, although new construction is expected to increase slowly. Cluster: Construction Trades Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Plasterers Employment, 1996: 32,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 13 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 4,200 Employment prospects: Employment growth is expected to be about as fast as average due to growing recognition of the durability and attractiveness of troweled finishes and the need to repair plaster surfaces in older buildings. Cluster: Construction Trades Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Plumbers and pipefitters Employment, 1996: 389,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 5 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 18,000 Employment prospects: Slower than average employment growth is expected as the growing use of plastic pipe and fittings, more efficient sprinkler systems, and other laborsaving technologies offset much of the increasing demand for plumbing services. Cluster: Construction Trades Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Roofers Employment, 1996: 138,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 4 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 6,000 Employment prospects: Slower than average employment growth is expected as innovations and advances in materials, techniques, and tools make roofers more productive. However, job openings should be plentiful because of high turnover. Cluster: Construction Trades Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Sheetmetal workers Employment, 1996: 110,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 12 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 13,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to increase as fast as average, reflecting increasing demand for sheetmetal in residential and commercial construction. Renovation of existing structures will also require sheetmetal for new air-conditioning and heating systems. Opportunities should be good for individuals with apprenticeship training. Cluster: Construction Trades Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Structural and reinforcing ironworkers Employment, 1996: 77,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 7 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 5,100 Employment prospects: Slower than average employment growth is expected. Rehabilitation and maintenance of older buildings, factories, power plants, highways, and bridges is expected to increase, but employment growth will be slowed by the continued slow growth in new industrial and commercial construction. Cluster: Construction Trades Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Tilesetters Employment, 1996: 29,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 4 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 1,200 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow more slowly than average due to the increasing use of tile substitutes, such as plastic or fiberglass tub and shower enclosures. Job opportunities will not be as plentiful as in other construction occupations because the occupation is small and turnover is relatively low. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Assemblers Occupation: Precision assemblers Employment, 1996: 380,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 1 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 2,800 Employment prospects: Little growth in employment is expected. Increasing automation and globalization of production will offset most employment growth that would result from industrial development. Employment prospects, however, vary by industry. For example, opportunities for precision assemblers will be somewhat better in the aerospace industry than in the structural metals industries. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Assemblers Occupation: Blue-collar worker supervisors Employment, 1996: 1,899,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 3 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 48,000 Employment prospects: Overall, slower than average growth is projected. Employment in manufacturing is expected to decline, reflecting the increasing use of computers and self-directed work teams and corporate downsizing. Employment in construction and most other nonmanufacturing industries is expected to rise with employment of the workers they supervise. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Fishing, hunting, and forestry occupations Occupation: Fishers, hunters, and trappers Employment, 1996: 47,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -21 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -9,600 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to decline because of technological advances and the fact that many fishing, hunting, and trapping operations are at or beyond stock supplies. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Fishing, hunting, and forestry occupations Occupation: Forestry and logging occupations Employment, 1996: 122,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 1 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 1,300 Employment prospects: Little or no growth in overall employment is expected. Despite steady demand for lumber and other wood products, automation of logging operations and improvements in logging equipment will continue to depress demand for timber cutting and logging workers. Slow growth is expected in employment of forest and conservation workers, reflecting budgetary constraints in the Federal and many State governments. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Food processing occupations Occupation: Butchers and meat, poultry, and fish cutters Employment, 1996: 369,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 6 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 22,000 Employment prospects: Slower than average employment growth is projected. Consolidation of meat processing and rising worker productivity will moderate employment growth resulting from the increasing consumption of meat, poultry, and fish. Job growth will be concentrated among meat, poultry, and fish cutters who have lower level skills, as cutting and processing shift from retail stores to food processing plants. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Food processing occupations Occupation: Inspectors, testers, and graders Employment, 1996: 634,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -4 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -24,000 Employment prospects: The projected employment decline for inspectors, testers, and graders reflects growing use of automated inspection and reassignment of quality control responsibilities from inspectors to other production workers. Employment is expected to grow in industries less suited to automation and in business services, as firms hire temporary inspectors to increase their staffing options. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Metalworking and plastics-working occupations Occupation: Boilermakers Employment, 1996: 18,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -3 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -600 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to decline as a result of repairing rather than replacing boilers, the use of smaller boilers with less onsite assembly, boiler importation, and increased automation. Competition may be keen for available apprenticeships and job openings. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Metalworking and plastics-working occupations Occupation: Jewelers Employment, 1996: 32,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -2 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -500 Employment prospects: Employment of jewelers is expected to decline slightly. Nontraditional jewelry marketers that typically require few jewelers, such as discount stores, mail-order catalog companies, and television shopping networks, have limited sales growth of traditional jewelers. Increasing manufacturing automation also will adversely affect employment, especially that of lower skilled workers. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Metalworking and plastics-working occupations Occupation: Machinists and tool programmers Employment, 1996: 393,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 0 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -1,600 Employment prospects: No change in employment is expected. Demand caused by growth in manufactured goods production will be offset by productivity increases from new automation. In spite of the stagnant employment outlooks, job opportunities are expected to be excellent because of reported shortages of skilled machinists across the Nation. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Metalworking and plastics-working occupations Occupation: Metalworking and plastics-working machine operators Employment, 1996: 1,512,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 3 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 51,000 Employment prospects: Overall, slower than average growth is projected for metalworking and plastics-working machine operators. Employment will grow for workers who operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools, plastics molding machines, and combination machine tools. However, employment of most manual cutting and forming machine tool operators and sheetmetal workers is expected to decline due to technological growth, the demand for goods, the effects of trade, and the reorganization of production processes. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Metalworking and plastics-working occupations Occupation: Tool and die makers Employment, 1996: 134,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -7 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -9,400 Employment prospects: Advancements in automation will contribute to a projected decline in employment, but the integral role tool and die makers have in retooling and production will moderate this decline. Jobseekers with appropriate skills and background should enjoy excellent opportunities due to reported shortages across the Nation of these highly skilled workers. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Metalworking and plastics-working occupations Occupation: Welders, cutters, and welding machine operators Employment, 1996: 453,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 7 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 32,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow slowly, bug job prospects should be favorable. Demand for these workers will be greatest in transportation, wholesale trade, utilities, services, and construction, as well as for repair, maintenance, and construction work that cannot be automated. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Plant and systems operators Occupation: Electric power generating plant operators and power distributors and dispatchers Employment, 1996: 47,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 4 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 2,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow slowly as demand for electricity increases. Job opportunities depend on plant construction and equipment upgrading and should be tempered by deregulation and excess capacity. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Plant and systems operators Occupation: Stationary engineers Employment, 1996: 27,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -6 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -1,600 Employment prospects: A decrease in employment is expected, so jobseekers may face competition. Employment opportunities will be best for those with apprenticeship or vocational school training in computerized systems operation. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Plant and systems operators Occupation: Water and wastewater treatment plant operators Employment, 1996: 98,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 23 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 23,000 Employment prospects: Job prospects should be good because employment is expected to grow faster than average, and there usually are few applicants in this field. Employment growth is being driven by the construction of new plants and the expansion of existing water and wastewater treatment services. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Printing occupations Occupation: Bindery workers Employment, 1996: 86,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 4 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 3,300 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow more slowly than average because of automation. Most openings will be due to replacement needs. Those with experience or formal training will have the best job prospects. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Printing occupations Occupation: Prepress workers Employment, 1996: 155,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -17 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -27,000 Employment prospects: Increased use of computers in typesetting and page layout will result in an overall employment decline for prepress workers. However, demand for workers skilled in automated desktop publishing will increase significantly as the printing industry expands. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Printing occupations Occupation: Printing press operators Employment, 1996: 244,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 5 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 13,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to grow more slowly than average due to increased use of automated presses. Demand for letterpress operators will decline sharply. Prospects are best for experienced printing press operators and for those who have completed postsecondary training. Jobseekers should face keen competition from displaced or retrained prepress workers. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Textile, apparel, and furnishings occupations Occupation: Apparel workers Employment, 1996: 835,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -16 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -13,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to decline due to increased imports, offshore assembly, and laborsaving machinery. Most job losses will occur among sewing machine operators. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Textile, apparel, and furnishings occupations Occupation: Shoe and leather workers and repairers Employment, 1996: 21,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -20 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -4,300 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to decline, primarily because of the availability of low-priced imported footwear. Employment has also been negatively affected by growth in laborsaving machinery and business costs. Workers employed in manufacturing and modifying custom-made molded or orthopedic shoes may enjoy the best job prospects. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Textile, apparel, and furnishings occupations Occupation: Textile machinery operators Employment, 1996: 272,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -14 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -38,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to decline due to laborsaving automation, mergers, and restructuring among textile firms, as well as limited demand for textiles from domestic apparel firms. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Textile, apparel, and furnishings occupations Occupation: Upholsterers Employment, 1996: 57,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 0 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 300 Employment prospects: Little or no employment growth is expected. However, opportunities will be very good for highly skilled upholsterers in reupholstery work and sample making. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Woodworking Occupation: occupations Employment, 1996: 359,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 2 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 7,600 Employment prospects: Employment is projected to grow more slowly than average. The demand for customized wood products will spur growth among precision woodworkers, while increasing automation and imports will cause a decline among woodworking machine operators. Job prospects will be best for highly skilled workers and those with knowledge of computer controlled machine tool operation. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Miscellaneous production occupations Occupation: Dental laboratory technicians Employment, 1996: 47,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 1 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 300 Employment prospects: Very slow, if any, employment growth is expected. Any increase will be due to the public's improving dental health. Further demand may arise from an aging public's interest in cosmetic prostheses. Job opportunities should be favorable, as employers have difficulty filling trainee positions because of low entry-level salaries and the public's lack of familiarity with the occupation. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Miscellaneous production occupations Occupation: Ophthalmic laboratory technicians Employment, 1996: 19,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 0 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 100 Employment prospects: Little, if any, change in employment is expected as employment growth in retail settings is offset by declining employment in manufacturing industries. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Miscellaneous production occupations Occupation: Painting and coating machine operators Employment, 1996: 171,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 8 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 14,000 Employment prospects: Overall, slower than average growth is projected. Average employment growth and favorable job prospects are projected for skilled automotive painters. Job prospects should be favorable. Cluster: Production Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Photographic process workers Employment, 1996: 63,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 6 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 3,600 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to increase more slowly than average as digital cameras and imaging become cheaper and more widely used by consumers. Most openings will result from replacement needs. Cluster: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Busdrivers Employment, 1996: 592,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 20 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 117,000 Employment prospects: Employment is expected to increase about as fast as average, primarily to meet the transportation needs of a growing school-age population. Opportunities should be best for individuals with good driving records who are willing to work part-time, as well as for those seeking jobs as school busdrivers in rapidly growing metropolitan areas. Cluster: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Material moving equipment operators Employment, 1996: 1,097,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 10 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 114,000 Employment prospects: Average employment growth is expected. Equipment improvements, including automation of material handling, continue to increase productivity and slow employment growth. Many opportunities in this large occupation arise replacement needs. Cluster: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Rail transportation occupations Employment, 1996: 83,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -5 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -3,800 Employment prospects: Employment for most rail transportation occupations is expected to decline; only employment of locomotive engineers and subway and streetcar operators is expected to grow. The amount of freight shipped by rail should continue to increase, but improvements in operations should allow the industry to continue work force reductions. Cluster: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Taxi drivers and chauffeurs Employment, 1996: 106,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 8 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 8,100 Employment prospects: Slower than average employment growth is expected as urban transportation needs increase with population growth. Opportunities should be best in rapidly growing metropolitan areas. Cluster: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Truckdrivers Employment, 1996: 3,050,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 15 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 442,000* Employment prospects: Employment is expected to increase about as fast as average as the economy grows and the amount of freight carried by trucks increases. Opportunities in this large occupation should be plentiful, but competition is likely for jobs offering the highest earnings or best working conditions. Cluster: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Subgroup: Occupation: Water transportation occupations Employment, 1996: 51,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: -4 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: -2,000 Employment prospects: Employment is projected to decline due to foreign competition and new ship designs that require much smaller crews. Cluster: Handlers, Equipment Cleaners, Helpers, and Laborers Subgroup: Occupation: Employment, 1996: 4,975,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: 14 Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: 679,000* Employment prospects: Overall employment is expected to grow about as fast as average. These workers are employed throughout the country in nearly every industry. Employment growth by occupation varies, depending on growth both in the industries employing these workers and among the skilled workers they assist. Job opportunities should be plentiful in this very large group of occupations because of relatively high turnover. Cluster: Job Opportunities In The Armed Forces Subgroup: Occupation: Employment, 1996: 1,478,000 Percent change in employment, 1996-2006: Numerical change in employment, 1996-2006: Employment prospects: America's strategic position is stronger than it has been in decades. Although there have been reductions in personnel concurrent with a diminished threat to U.S. security, the number of active duty personnel is now expected to remain constant. Opportunities will be very limited for enlisted personnel without a high school diploma. Competition for officer positions has always been keen and will continue to be so. Index to the 1996-2006 Job Outlook in Brief Accountants and auditors Accounting clerks Actors, directors, and producers Actuaries Adjusters, investigators, and collectors Administrative occupations Administrative services managers Administrative support occupations, including clerical Adult education teachers Advertising managers Aerospace Engineers Agents and brokers, insurance Agents, brokers, and appraisers, real estate Agricultural scientists Air traffic controllers Air-conditioning technicians Aircraft mechanics Aircraft pilots Animal caretakers, nonfarm Announcers and newscasters, radio and television Apparel workers Appliance repairers Appraisers, real estate Architects Archivists and curators Armed Forces Artists, performing Artists, visual Assemblers Assemblers, precision Astronomers Audiologists Auditing clerks Auditors Automotive body repairers Automotive mechanics Bank tellers Barbers and cosmetologists Billing clerks and billing machine operators Bindery workers Biological and medical scientists Blue-collar worker supervisors Boat engine mechanics Boilermakers Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks Bookmobile drivers Bricklayers and stonemasons Broadcast technicians Brokerage clerks and statement clerks Brokers, insurance Brokers, real estate Budget analysts Building inspectors Busdrivers Butchers and meat, poultry, and fish cutters Buyers Cable splicers Camera operators Cardiovascular technologists and technicians Carpenters Carpet installers Cashiers Ceramic engineers Chauffeurs Chefs, cooks, and other kitchen workers Chemical engineers Chemists Child-care workers Chiropractors Choreographers Civil engineers Cleaners, building services Cleaners, equipment Clergy Clerical supervisors and managers Clerks Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians Collectors, insurance College and university faculty Commercial and industrial electronic equipment repairers Communications equipment mechanics Communications occupations Computer and office machine repairers Computer occupations Computer operators Computer programmers Computer scientists, computer engineers, and systems analysts Computer systems managers Concrete masons and terrazzo workers Conservation scientists Consultants, management Construction and building inspectors Construction managers Construction trades occupations Cooks Correctional officers Correspondents Cosmetologists Cost estimators Counselors Counter and rental clerks Court reporters, medical transcriptionists, and stenographers Credit authorizers Curators Dancers and choreographers Data entry keyers Dental assistants Dental hygienists Dental laboratory technicians Dentists Designers Detectives, private Detectives, public Die makers Diesel mechanics Dietitians and nutritionists Directors, performing arts Dispatchers Dispensing opticians Drafters Drywall workers and lathers Economists and marketing research analysts Editors Education administrators Electric power generating plant operators and power distributors and dispatchers Electrical and electronics engineers Electricians Electroneurodiagnositc technologists Electronic equipment repairers Electronic equipment repairers, commercial and industrial Electronic home entertainment equipment repairers Elementary school teachers Elevator installers and repairers Emergency medical technicians Employment interviewers Engineering, science, and computer systems managers Engineering technicians Engineers Engineers, stationary Equipment cleaners Executive, administrative, and managerial occupations Faculty, college and university Farm equipment mechanics Farmers and farm managers File clerks Financial managers Financial service sales representatives Firefighting occupations Fish cutters Fishers, hunters, and trappers Flight attendants Food and beverage service workers Food processing occupations Food service managers Foresters and conservation scientists Forestry and logging occupations Funeral directors General maintenance mechanics General managers and top executives General office clerks Geologists and geophysicists Glaziers Government chief executives and legislators Graders, production Groundskeepers Guards Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers Health assessment and treating occupations Health diagnosing occupations Health information technicians Health service occupations Health services managers Health technologists and technicians Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration technicians Heavy equipment mechanics, mobile Home appliance and power tool repairers Home entertainment equipment repairers Homemaker-home health aides Hotel and motel desk clerks Hotel managers and assistants Human resources specialists and managers Hunters and trappers Industrial engineers Industrial machinery repairers Industrial production managers Information clerks Inspectors and compliance officers, except construction Inspectors, testers, and graders, production Installers and repairers Insulation workers Insurance agents and brokers Interviewing and new accounts clerks Investigators, insurance Investigators and private detectives Ironworkers, structural and reinforcing Janitors and cleaners Jewelers Judges Kindergarten teachers Kitchen workers Laborers Labor relations specialists and managers Landscape architects Landscaping, groundskeeping, nursery, greenhouse, and lawn service occupations Lawyers and judges Leather workers and repairers Legislators Librarians Library assistants and bookmobile drivers Library technicians Licensed practical nurses Life scientists Line installers and cablesplicers Loan clerks and credit authorizers, checkers, and clerks Loan officers and counselors Logging occupations Machinists and tool programmers Mail carriers Mail clerks and messengers Maintenance mechanics, general Management analysts and consultants Managerial occupations Managers, clerical Managers, farm Managers, retail sales workers Manufacturers' and wholesale sales representatives Marketing, advertising, and public relations managers Marketing and sales occupations Marketing research analysts Material moving equipment operators Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing occupations Materials engineers Mathematical occupations Mathematicians Meatcutters Mechanical engineers Mechanics, installers, and repairers Medical assistants Medical scientists Medical transcriptionists Messengers Metallurgical, ceramic, and materials engineers Metalworking and plastics-working machine operators Meteorologists Millwrights Mining engineers Ministers Mobile heavy equipment mechanics Motorcycle, boat, and small engine mechanics Musical instrument repairers and tuners Musicians Newscasters, radio and television Nuclear engineers Nuclear medicine technologists Nursery occupations Nurses, licensed practical Nurses, registered Nursing aides and psychiatric aides Nutritionists Occupational therapists Occupational therapy assistants and aides Office clerks, general Office machine repairers Operations research analysts Operators, telephone Ophthalmic laboratory technicians Opticians, dispensing Optometrists Order clerks Painters and paperhangers Painting and coating machine operators Paperhangers Paralegals Payroll and timekeeping clerks Performing arts occupations Personal, building, and ground service occupations Personnel clerks Petroleum engineers Pharmacists Photographers and camera operators Photographic process workers Physical scientists Physical therapists Physical and corrective therapy assistants and aides Physician assistants Physicians Physicists and astronomers Pilots, aircraft Pipefitters Plant and systems operators Plasterers Plastics-working machine operators Plumbers and pipefitters Podiatrists Police, detectives, and special agents Postal clerks and mail carriers Poultry cutters Power tool repairers Precision assemblers Prepress workers Preschool teachers and child-care workers Priests, Roman Catholic Printing press operators Printing occupations Private detectives and investigators Private household workers Producers, performing arts Production occupations Programmers, computer Programmers, tool Professional specialty occupations Property managers Protective service occupations Protestant ministers Psychiatric aides Psychologists Public relations managers Public relations specialists Purchasers and buyers Rabbis Radio and television announcers and newscasters Radiologic technologists Rail transportation workers Real estate agents, brokers, and appraisers Receiving clerks Receptionists Record clerks Recreation workers Recreational therapists Refrigeration technicians Regional planners Registered nurses Reinforcing iron workers Rental clerks Repairers Reporters and correspondents Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks Respiratory therapists Restaurant and food service managers Retail sales worker managers and supervisors Retail sales workers Roman Catholic priests Roofers Sales occupations School teachers: Kindergarten, elementary, and secondary Science managers Science technicians Scientists, life Scientists, physical Scientists, social Secondary school teachers Secretaries Securities and financial services sales representatives Service occupations Services sales representatives Sheetmetal workers Shipping and receiving clerks Shoe and leather workers and repairers Small engine mechanics Social and human services assistants Social scientists Social workers Special agents Special education teachers Speech-language pathologists and audiologists Statement clerks Stationary engineers Statisticians Stenographers Stock clerks Stonemasons Structural and reinforcing iron workers Supervisors, blue-collar worker Supervisors, cleaning Supervisors, clerical Supervisors, retail sales worker Surgical technologists Surveyors and mapping scientists Systems analysts, computer Taxi drivers and chauffeurs Teacher aides Teachers Teachers, preschool Technicians except health Technicians, health Technologists, health Telephone installers and repairers Telephone operators Television announcers and newscasters Tellers, bank Terrazzo workers Testers and graders, production Textile machinery operators Therapists Tilesetters Timekeeping clerks Tool and die makers Tool programmers Tool repairers, power Traffic, shipping, and receiving clerks Transportation and material moving occupations Transportation ticket agents Trappers Travel agents Travel clerks Truckdrivers Tuners, musical instrument Typists, word processors, and data entry keyers Underwriters University faculty Upholsterers Urban and regional planners Vending machine servicers and repairers Veterinarians Veterinary assistants and non-farm animal caretakers Visual artists Visual arts occupations Water and wastewater treatment plant operators Water transportation occupations Welders, cutters, and welding machine operators Wholesale sales representatives Woodworking occupations Word processors Writers and editors