Occupational employment projections to 2006 (EXCERPT), Monthly Labor Review Online, Nov. 1997

Occupational employment projections to 2006

George T. Silvestri

Total employment is projected to increase by 18.6 million jobs over the 1996–2006 period, rising from 132.4 million to 150.9 million, according to the latest projection of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The projected 14-percent change in employment is less than the 19-percent increase attained during the previous 10-year period, 1986–96, when the economy added 21 million jobs. Consequently, growth rates among the major occupational groups will be very different from the past, resulting in a change in the structure of employment from 1996 to 2006.

The economy will continue generating jobs for workers at all levels of education and training, although average growth is projected to be greater for detailed occupations requiring at least an associate’s degree than for occupations requiring less training. Still, many occupations requiring less formal education or training are projected to have above-average growth as well. Many slower growing occupations, some requiring little education and training and others having significant educational requirements, will add significant numbers of jobs primarily due to their large employment bases. There also will be numerous job openings due to the need to replace workers who leave the labor force or move to other occupations.

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