Technical information: (202) 691-5700 USDL 07-1922
http://www.bls.gov/oco/
http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/
For release: 10:00 A.M. EST
Media contact: 691-5902 Tuesday, December 18, 2007
2008--09 EDITIONS OF THE OCCUPATIONAL OUTLOOK HANDBOOK AND
THE CAREER GUIDE TO INDUSTRIES AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET
The 2008--09 editions of the Occupational Outlook Handbook and the Career
Guide to Industries were issued today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the
U.S. Department of Labor on the Bureau’s Internet site. The Handbook and the
Career Guide can be accessed on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco and
http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg, respectively. Print versions of both publications
are expected to be available by Spring 2008. //OOH QCT Resilio test 10/10/2023//
The Occupational Outlook Handbook has been a nationally recognized source
of career information since the late 1940s. The Career Guide to Industries was
developed as a companion publication to the Handbook in the early 1990s. These
publications provide comprehensive, up-to-date, and reliable labor market infor-
mation that has helped millions of Americans plan their future work lives. The
Handbook and the Career Guide discuss prospective changes in the job market and
the qualifications sought by employers, information that is widely used by coun-
selors, students, job seekers, education and training officials, and researchers.
These publications reflect the Bureau's latest employment projections,
which cover the 2006--16 decade. Detailed information on the 2006--16 projec-
tions appears in five articles in the November 2007 issue of the Monthly Labor
Review, accessible at http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/welcome.htm. A graphic pre-
sentation of projections highlights appears in the Fall 2007 Occupational Outlook
Quarterly, accessible at http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook
The Occupational Outlook Handbook provides detailed information about
hundreds of occupations, covering 9 out of 10 jobs in the economy. For each
occupation, the Handbook highlights key occupational characteristics, followed
by sections about the nature of the work and work environment, requirements for
entry and opportunities for advancement, employment of salaried and self-em-
ployed workers, earnings, related occupations, and sources of additional infor-
mation. Additionally, a section on "Job Outlook" describes each occupation's
projected employment change over the next decade, as well as the various factors
expected to affect this projection. Examples of such factors are the aging of
baby boomers, technological innovations, changes in business practices, changes
in the goods and services demanded by businesses and consumers, and changing
foreign competition.
Employment over the 2006--16 decade is expected to increase by 15.6 million,
or 10 percent. Table 1 lists the changes in employment over the 2006--16 decade
for the 30 fastest growing occupations. For 19 of these occupations, the most
significant source of postsecondary education or training is an associate or
higher degree. Computer-related and health-related occupations, in addition,
account for 16 of the 30 fastest growing occupations. Table 2 lists the changes
in employment over the 2006--16 decade for the 30 occupations with the largest
projected job growth. Short-term on-the-job training is the most significant
source of postsecondary education or training for 14 of these occupations.
- 2 -
The Career Guide to Industries
The Occupational Outlook Handbook's companion publication, the Career Guide
to Industries, analyzes employment change from an industry perspective, providing
information on 44 industries that cover 3 out of 4 wage and salary jobs in the
economy. For each industry, the Career Guide describes the nature of the indus-
try, typical working conditions, and key occupations employed in the industry.
The Career Guide also discusses industry training practices and worker earnings.
The "Outlook" section compares the industry's projected percentage change in wage
and salary employment with the percentage change in wage and salary jobs for all
industries combined.
Table 3 indicates the changes in wage and salary employment over the 2006--16
decade for each of the industries included in the Career Guide. Employment growth
is projected to be concentrated in the service-providing sector. Two industry
groups within the service-providing sector--education and health care--are expected
to account for half of all wage and salary employment growth in the economy. In
the goods-producing sector, employment is expected to grow in construction and
decline in natural resources and manufacturing.
Enhancements to the 2008--09 Editions
The new editions of the Occupational Outlook Handbook and Career Guide to
Industries incorporate several organizational changes. In addition to the major
headings used in previous editions, the new editions contain subheadings, which
make it easier to find relevant information within each section. For example,
the "Job Outlook" section of each statement now contains separate subheadings for
employment change and job prospects. An overview and discussion of this and the
many other enhancements can be found in the "Occupational Information Included in
the Handbook" and the "Information in the Career Guide to Industries" sections of
each respective publication.
Ordering Information
The print versions of the 2008--09 editions of the Occupational Outlook
Handbook and the Career Guide to Industries are sold by the U.S. Government
Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, and are expected to be available by
Spring 2008. Ordering and price information will appear online at http://
www.bls.gov/emp/emppub01.htm.
Occupational Projections and Training Data will be available online
May 2008 at http://www.bls.gov/emp/optd/home.htm.
To order the Monthly Labor Review, visit http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/
subscrib.htm.
Information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired
individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202)691-5200; TDD message referral
phone: 1-800-877-8339.
Table 1. The 30 fastest growing occupations covered in the 2008-09 Occupational Outlook Handbook
(Numbers in thousands)
Employment change
Occupation 2006-16 Most significant source of
postsecondary education
Number Percent training (1)
Network systems and data communications .... 140 53.4 Bachelor's degree
Personal and home care aides ............... 389 50.6 Short-term on-the-job
training
Home health aides .......................... 384 48.7 Short-term on-the-job
training
Computer software engineers, applications .. 226 44.6 Bachelor's degree
Veterinary technologists and technicians ... 29 41.0 Associate degree
Personal financial advisors ................ 72 41.0 Bachelor's degree
Makeup artists, theatrical and performance . 1 39.8 Postsecondary vocational
award
Medical assistants ......................... 148 35.4 Moderate-term on-the-
job training
Veterinarians .............................. 22 35.0 First professional degree
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder
counselors ................................ 29 34.3 Bachelor's degree
Skin care specialists ...................... 13 34.3 Postsecondary vocational
award
Financial analysts ......................... 75 33.8 Bachelor's degree
Social and human service assistants ........ 114 33.6 Moderate-term on-the-
job training
Gaming surveillance officers and gaming Moderate-term on-the-
investigators ............................. 3 33.6 job training
Physical therapist assistants .............. 20 32.4 Associate degree
Pharmacy technicians ....................... 91 32.0 Moderate-term on-the-
job training
Forensic science technicians ................ 4 30.7 Bachelor's degree
Dental hygienists ........................... 50 30.1 Associate degree
Mental health counselors .................... 30 30.0 Master's degree
Mental health and substance abuse social
workers .................................... 37 29.9 Master's degree
Marriage and family therapists .............. 7 29.8 Master's degree
Dental assistants ........................... 82 29.2 Moderate-term on-the-
job training
Computer systems analysts ................... 146 29.0 Bachelor's degree
Database administrators ..................... 34 28.6 Bachelor's degree
Computer software engineers, systems
software ................................... 99 28.2 Bachelor's degree
Gaming and sports book writers and runners .. 5 28.0 Short-term on-the-job
training
Environmental science and protection
technicians, including health............... 10 28.0 Associate degree
Manicurists and pedicurists ................. 22 27.6 Postsecondary vocational
award
Physical therapists ......................... 47 27.1 Master's degree
Physician assistants ........................ 18 27.0 Master's degree
1 An occupation is placed into 1 of 11 categories that best describes the postsecondary education or
training needed by most workers to become fully qualified in that occupation. For more information
about the categories, see Occupational Projections and Training Data, 2006-07 edition, Bulletin 2602
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, February 2006) and Occupational Projections and Training Data, 2008-09
edition, Bulletin 2702 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, forthcoming).
Table 2. The 30 occupations covered in the 2008-09 Occupational Outlook Handbook with the largest
employment growth
(Numbers in thousands)
Employment change
Occupation 2006-16 Most significant source of
postsecondary education
Number Percent training (1)
Registered nurses .......................... 587 23.5 Associate degree
Retail salespersons ........................ 557 12.4 Short-term on-the-job
training
Customer service representatives ........... 545 24.8 Moderate-term on-the-
job training
Combined food preparation and serving Short-term on-the-job
workers, including fast food .............. 452 18.1 training
Office clerks, general ..................... 404 12.6 Short-term on-the-job
training
Personal and home care aides ............... 389 50.6 Short-term on-the-job
training
Home health aides .......................... 384 48.7 Short-term on-the-job
training
Postsecondary teachers ..................... 382 22.9 Doctoral degree
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and Short-term on-the-job
housekeeping cleaners ..................... 345 14.5 training
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants ... 264 18.2 Postsecondary vocational
award
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing Moderate-term on-the-
clerks .................................... 264 12.5 job training
Short-term on-the-job
Waiters and waitresses ..................... 255 10.8 training
Short-term on-the-job
Child care workers ......................... 248 17.8 training
Executive secretaries and administrative Work experience in a
assistants ................................ 239 14.8 related occupation
Computer software engineers, applications .. 226 44.6 Bachelor's degree
Accountants and auditors ................... 226 17.7 Bachelor's degree
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers ..... 221 18.1 Short-term on-the-job
training
Elementary school teachers, except special
education.................................. 209 13.6 Bachelor's degree
Receptionists and information clerks ....... 202 17.2 Short-term on-the-job
training
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer ... 193 10.4 Moderate-term on-the-
training
Maids and housekeeping cleaners ............ 186 12.7 Short-term on-the-job
training
Security guards ............................ 175 16.9 Short-term on-the-job
training
Carpenters ................................. 150 10.3 Long-term on-the-job
training
Bachelor's or higher
Management analysts ........................ 149 21.9 degree, plus work
experience
Medical assistants ......................... 148 35.4 Moderate-term on-the-
job training
Computer systems analysts .................. 146 29.0 Bachelor's degree
Maintenance and repair workers, general .... 140 10.1 Moderate-term on-the-
job training
Network systems and data communications
analysts .................................. 140 53.4 Bachelor's degree
Food preparation workers ................... 138 15.3 Short-term on-the-job
training
Teacher assistants ......................... 137 10.4 Short-term on-the-job
training
1 An occupation is placed into 1 of 11 categories that best describes the postsecondary education or
training needed by most workers to become fully qualified in that occupation. For more information
about the categories, see Occupational Projections and Training Data, 2006-07 edition, Bulletin 2602
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, February 2006) and Occupational Projections and Training Data, 2008-09
edition, Bulletin 2702 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, forthcoming).
Table 3. Wage and salary employment in industries covered in the Career Guide to Industries, 2006
and projected change, 2006-16
(Numbers in thousands)
Industry Employment Employment change
2006 2016 Number Percent
All industries ....................................... 138,310 153,262 14,951 10.8
Natural resources, construction, and utilities ....... 10,076 10,710 634 6.3
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing .................. 1,220 1,114 -105 -8.6
Construction ........................................ 7,689 8,470 781 10.2
Mining .............................................. 619 609 -10 -1.6
Utilities ........................................... 549 518 -31 -5.7
Manufacturing ........................................ 14,197 12,695 -1,503 -10.6
Aerospace product and parts manufacturing ........... 472 497 25 5.4
Chemical manufacturing, except drugs ................ 576 486 -90 -15.7
Computer and electronic product manufacturing ....... 1,316 1,159 -157 -12.0
Food manufacturing .................................. 1,484 1,489 5 .3
Machinery manufacturing ............................. 1,192 1,045 -146 -12.3
Motor vehicle and parts manufacturing ............... 1,070 918 -153 -14.3
Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing ........... 292 362 69 23.7
Printing ............................................ 636 497 -139 -21.8
Steel manufacturing ................................. 154 116 -39 -25.1
Textile, textile product, and apparel manufacturing . 595 385 -211 -35.4
Trade ............................................... 21,217 22,332 1,115 5.3
Automobile dealers .................................. 1,247 1,388 141 11.3
Clothing, accessory, and general merchandise stores . 4,352 4,676 324 7.5
Grocery stores ...................................... 2,463 2,479 16 .7
Wholesale trade ..................................... 5,898 6,326 428 7.3
Transportation and warehousing ....................... 4,466 4,962 496 11.1
Air transportation .................................. 487 522 35 7.3
Truck transportation and warehousing ................ 2,074 2,381 307 14.8
Information .......................................... 3,055 3,267 212 6.9
Broadcasting ........................................ 331 362 31 9.3
Motion picture and video industries ................. 357 396 39 10.9
Publishing, except software ......................... 660 611 -49 -7.5
Software publishers ................................. 243 321 78 32.0
Telecommunications .................................. 973 1,022 49 5.0
Internet services providers, web search portals,
and data processing services ....................... 383 437 54 14.0
Financial activities ................................. 8,363 9,570 1,207 14.4
Banking ............................................. 1,825 1,899 74 4.0
Insurance ........................................... 2,316 2,488 172 7.4
Securities, commodities, and other investments ...... 816 1,192 376 46.1
Professional and business services ................... 17,552 21,644 4,092 23.3
Advertising and public relations services ........... 458 520 62 13.6
Computer systems design and related services ........ 1,278 1,768 489 38.3
Employment services ................................. 3,657 4,348 692 18.9
Management, scientific, and technical consulting
services ........................................... 921 1,639 718 77.9
Scientific research and development services ........ 593 649 56 9.4
Education, health, and social services ............... 29,082 34,543 5,461 18.8
Child day care services ............................. 807 1,078 272 33.7
Educational services ................................ 13,152 14,564 1,412 10.7
Health services ..................................... 13,621 16,576 2,954 21.7
Social assistance, except child day care ............ 1,502 2,326 823 54.8
Leisure and hospitality .............................. 13,143 15,016 1,873 14.2
Arts, entertainment, and recreation ................. 1,927 2,522 595 30.9
Food services and drinking places ................... 9,383 10,407 1,024 10.9
Hotels and other accommodations ..................... 1,833 2,088 254 13.9
Government and advocacy, grantmaking, and civic
organizations ....................................... 11,210 11,895 685 6.1
Advocacy, grantmaking, and civic organizations ...... 1,234 1,392 158 12.8
Federal Government .................................. 1,958 1,869 -90 -4.6
State and local government, except education and
health care ........................................ 8,018 8,634 617 7.7
NOTE: Columns may not add to totals due to omission of industries not covered in the Career
Guide to Industries.
United States Department of Labor
