Disappearing Versus Growing Jobs
On July 2, 2008, Forbes Magazine published an article entitled "America's Top 20 Growing And Disappearing Jobs", which examined 800 occupations for trends in employment. The results reflect an aging population, among other factors.
Using 2007 data (U.S. National, State & Metropolitan Area Occupational Employment & Wage Estimates) and referencing results of a national survey of employers in all industry sectors, the article identified certain jobs that are growing in number, versus those that are disappearing.
The expansion of an aging population nationwide is reflected in these employment trends, I believe.
For example, the article notes that job opportunities for health care providers and home health aides, which relate to personal care, will increase:
Most of the growing job opportunities are at the non-specialist, or unskilled, end of the field, though they run the full gamut of wage levels.On the other hand, declining jobs more relate to manufacturing:
Non-specialist physicians and surgeons earn an average $155,150 a year, while home health aides average $20,850 a year and had the largest absolute increase in numbers -- up 83,100 to 834,580, a year-on-year increase of 11%. * * *
The disappearing jobs are concentrated in the lower third of the pay range, though the field work was done before the onset of the credit crisis, so it precedes recent job losses in the housing and financial services industriesI selected four job categories from each of the twenty that are disappearing and the twenty that are growing. These demonstrate an environment into which our aging population now proceeds:
The disappearing jobs list also reflects the continuing long-term decline of no- and low-skilled manufacturing jobs in the U.S. -- sewing machine operators, engine assemblers, machine tool setters, home appliance repairers and textile knitting machine operators.* * *
Disappearing Jobs:
- Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners, Miscellaneous -- Non-specialist health diagnosing and treating practitioners. --2007 Jobs (44,350) vs. 2006 Jobs (53,270) = Percent Loss: -16.74%
- Tax Examiners, Collectors and Revenue Agents -- Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations. --2007 Jobs (65,750) vs. 2006 Jobs (75,160) = Percent Loss: -12.52%
- Compensation and Benefits Managers -- Plan, direct or coordinate compensation and benefits activities and staff of an organization. Include job analysis and position description managers. -- 2007 Jobs (41,780) vs. 2006 Jobs (46,640) = Percent Loss: -10.42%
- Word Processors and Typists -- Use word processor/computer or typewriter to type letters, reports, forms or other material from rough draft, corrected copy or voice recording. May perform other clerical duties as assigned. Excludes data enterers, secretaries and administrative assistants, court reporters and medical transcriptionists. --2007 Jobs (139,420) vs. 2006 Jobs (153,530) = Percent Loss: -9.19%
- Counselors, Miscellaneous -- All counselors; not substance abuse, educational, family, mental health or rehabilitation counselors. --2007 Jobs (28,900) vs. 2006 Jobs (24,260) = Percent Gain: 19.13%
- Physicians and Surgeons, Miscellaneous -- Non-specialist physicians and surgeons. -- 2007 Jobs (237,400) vs. 2006 Jobs (208,960) = Percent Gain: 13.61%
- Home Health Aides -- Provide routine, personal healthcare like bathing, dressing or grooming, to elderly, convalescent or disabled persons in the home of patients or in a residential care facility. 2007 Jobs (834,580) vs. 2006 Jobs (751,480) = Percent Gain: 11.06%
- Personal Financial Advisors -- Advise clients on financial plans utilizing knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status and financial objectives in order to establish investment strategies. --2007 Jobs (132,460) vs. 2006 Jobs (119,690) = Percent Gain: 10.67%
