Trends in Washington State Employment for 2008-2016

 

As parents, educators and adults who have influence in the lives of our youth we encourage our youth to dream big and take steps to follow their dreams. We also want to point them in the direction of careers that will be in demand for many years to come. 

Television and newspapers are full of information about careers where the average age of those in that career field is over 50; the most recent focus was a report on the airline pilots. Although the construction industry is slower than its been in the past five years, the average age in those trades is getting far to close to retirement. There has been a shortage in nursing for many years and is getting worse. These are just a few of the careers seeking more people.

The Career fields listed below are experiencing a 2% or better annual growth in Washington State.

 Washington State's Top 15 Occupation projection 2008-2016:

 

Occupational Title

2016 Employees

 Avg  Annual Openings

 Avg Wage 3/2008

Computer Software Engineers, System Software

19,160

779

 $92,622

Multi-Media Artists and Animators

    6,464  

 314 

$57,515

Computer Programmers

15,472

 710 

$82,798

Personal and Home Care Aides

30,422 

1,199

 $22,129

Computer Software Engineers, Applications

33,131

1,246

 $86,829

Home Health Aide

13,203

  418 

$21,815

Social and Human Service Assistants

8,227

 278 

$27,358

Computer System Analysts

16,328

761

$78,478

Network Systems & Data Communications Analysts

  9,125 

372

$78,786 

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

 11,621 

 472 

$72,586

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

 31,808  

1,000

$27,934

Medical Secretaries

22,283 

 757 

$35,006

Cosmetologists

 21,981 

670

$29,753

Computer Support Specialists

15,314

720

$48,186

Registered Nurses

 61,910 

2,032

$67,433