Winter 2003-04 Vol. 47, Number 4

Occupational employment

This section shows 2002-12 projected growth or
decline in employment by occupation. Employment change affects the opportunities available to jobseekers. Occupations with fast growth, many new jobs, or many new job openings generally offer better prospects for jobseekers.

Most of these charts show which occupations or occupational groups are expected to grow fastest or gain the most jobs during the projections decade. But, when it comes to job prospects, job growth tells only part of the story. Job openings for workers come from the need to replace workers who leave an occupation, as well as from the need to fill new jobs that are added to an occupation. A few charts show which occupations and occupational groups are expected to have the most openings.

Overall employment growth is projected to average 15 percent. That average is shown as a vertical line in charts presenting percent change.