The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.
Technical Information: (202) 691-5700 USDL 00-35
Media Contact: (202) 691-5902 For release: 10 A.M. EST
February 7, 2000
Internet: http://stats.bls.gov/ocohome.htm
2000-01 EDITION OF THE OCCUPATIONAL OUTLOOK HANDBOOK PUBLISHED
The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, has been the Federal Government's premier
career guidance publication for more than 50 years. The Handbook provides
comprehensive, up-to-date, and reliable labor market information that has
helped millions of Americans plan their future work lives. The 2000-01 edition
of the Handbook will help guide workers into the new century, presenting
essential information about prospective changes in the workplace and the
qualifications that will be needed by tomorrow's workforce.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook provides detailed information on over
250 occupations. The Handbook discusses the nature of the work and the
typicalworking conditions for persons in each occupation. In addition, it
gives details on the requirements for entry and the opportunities for
advancement. This information may be helpful in making career decisions that
utilize one's education and training. Each occupational statement discusses
projected job growth relative to the entire economy over the next decade and,
in some cases, the ease or difficulty of finding a job. Users also will find
current information on earnings, employment of salaried and self-employed
workers, related occupations, and sources of additional information. Each
statement begins with a section on significant points that highlights key
occupational characteristics.
Various factors affect the need for specific occupations. A growing,
aging, and increasingly diverse population will demand a changing mix of goods
and services. The skills of the workforce needed to fulfill these demands will
likewise continue to change, as employers incorporate technological innovations
and revise business practices to optimize their efficiency.
Total employment is expected to increase by 20.3 million jobs over the
1998-2008 period, a 14 percent increase. Occupations that require more
education and training generally are projected to grow the fastest. Table 1
lists the 30 fastest growing occupations; most require an associate or higher
degree, and computer and health occupations comprise 2 out of 3. The largest
occupations generally generate the most new jobs. Table 2 lists the 30
occupations with the largest projected job growth. Sixteen of these
occupations are among those requiring the least amount of training-short-term
on-the-job training-and account for over one-fourth of all new jobs expected to
be created between 1998 and 2008.
Although the Occupational Outlook Handbook targets junior and senior high
school students, it also can assist college students and experienced workers,
including those seeking to change careers or re-enter the labor force. All
successful workers need to make informed decisions and react quickly in an
economy impacted by global competition, technological innovation, and shifts in
occupational structure. The Occupational Outlook Handbook provides information
that reflects the needs of the present as well as the future labor force.
More detailed information on the 1998-2008 projections appears in five
articles in the November 1999 Monthly Labor Review. A graphic presentation of
the highlights of the projections is featured in the Winter 1999-2000
Occupational Outlook Quarterly.
Ordering Copies
Copies of the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2000-01 Edition (Bulletin
2520) can be purchased from the BLS Publications Sales Center, P.O. Box 2145,
Chicago, IL 60690-2145, phone (312) 353-1880, or the Superintendent of
Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, phone (202)
512-1800. The 2000-01 edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook with a soft
cover costs $49; a hard cover version costs $51. Payment can be made by VISA,
MasterCard, GPO Account, or check or money order. Make checks payable to the
Superintendent of Documents.
The Monthly Labor Review is sold by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. The Quarterly is sold by the
Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The
Review costs $31 a year; single copies are $10. The Quarterly costs $9.50 a
year; single copies are $4.00. Make checks payable to the Superintendent of
Documents.
The Handbook is available on the Bureau's Office of Employment Projections
Internet site: http://stats.bls.gov/emphome.htm. The Monthly Labor Review also
is accessible on the Internet: http://stats.bls.gov/opub/mlr/mlrhome.htm.
Information from this release will be made available to sensory impaired
individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-606-5886, TDD Message Referral
Phone Number: 1-800-877-8339.
Table 1. Fastest growing occupations covered in the 2000-01 Occupational
Outlook Handbook, 1998-2008
(Numbers in thousands of jobs)
Employment change,
Occupation 1998-2008 Most significant source of training
Number Percent
Computer engineers 323 108 Bachelor's degree
Computer support specialists 439 102 Associate degree
Systems analysts 577 94 Bachelor's degree
Database administrators 67 77 Bachelor's degree
Desktop publishing specialists 19 73 Long-term on-the-job training
Paralegals and legal
assistants 84 62 Associate degree
Medical assistants 146 58 Moderate-term on-the-job training
Personal care and home health
aides 433 58 Short-term on-the-job training
Social and human service
assistants 141 53 Moderate-term on-the-job training
Physician assistants 32 48 Bachelor's degree
Data processing equipment
repairers 37 47 Postsecondary vocational training
Residential counselors 88 46 Bachelor's degree
Electronic semiconductor
processors 29 45 Moderate-term on-the-job training
Engineering, natural science,
and computer and information
systems managers 142 44 Work experience, plus degree
Physical therapy assistants
and aides 36 44 Associate degree
Medical records and health
information technicians 41 44 Associate degree
Respiratory therapists 37 43 Associate degree
Surgical technologists 23 42 Postsecondary vocational training
Dental assistants 97 42 Moderate-term on-the-job training
Securities, commodities, and
financial services sales
agents 124 41 Bachelor's degree
Dental hygienists 58 41 Associate degree
Occupational therapy
assistants and aides 7 40 Associate degree
Speech-language pathologists
and audiologists 40 39 Master's degree
Cardiovascular technologists
and technicians 8 39 Associate degree
Correctional officers 148 39 Long-term on-the-job training
Social workers 218 36 Bachelor's degree
Biological scientists 28 35 Doctor's degree
Ambulance drivers and
attendants, except EMTs 7 35 Short-term on-the-job training
Bill and account collectors 110 35 Short-term on-the-job training
Physical therapists 41 34 Master's degree
Table 2. Occupations covered in the 2000-01 Occupational Outlook Handbook with
the largest projected job growth, 1998-2008
(Numbers in thousands of jobs)
Employment change,
Occupation 1998-2008 Most significant source of training
Number Percent
Systems analysts 577 94 Bachelor's degree
Retail salespersons 563 14 Short-term on-the-job training
Cashiers 556 17 Short-term on-the-job training
General managers and top
executives 551 16 Work experience, plus degree
Truck drivers light and
heavy 493 17 Short-term on-the-job training
Office clerks, general 463 15 Short-term on-the-job training
Registered nurses 451 22 Associate degree
Computer support
specialists 439 102 Associate degree
Personal care and home
health aides 433 58 Short-term on-the-job training
Teacher assistants 375 32 Short-term on-the-job training
Janitors and cleaners,
including maids and
housekeeping cleaners 365 12 Short-term on-the-job training
Nursing aides, orderlies,
and attendants 325 24 Short-term on-the-job training
Computer engineers 323 108 Bachelor's degree
Teachers, secondary
school 322 23 Bachelor's degree
Office and administrative
support supervisors and
managers 313 19 Work experience in a related occupation
Receptionists and
information clerks 305 24 Short-term on-the-job training
Waiters and waitresses 303 15 Short-term on-the-job training
Guards 294 29 Short-term on-the-job training
Marketing and sales worker
supervisors 263 10 Work experience in a related occupation
Food counter, fountain,
and related workers 247 12 Short-term on-the-job training
Child care workers 236 26 Short-term on-the-job training
Laborers, landscaping and
groundskeeping 234 21 Short-term on-the-job training
Social workers 218 36 Bachelor's degree
Hand packers and
packagers 213 22 Short-term on-the-job training
Teachers, elementary
school 205 12 Bachelor's degree
Blue-collar worker
supervisors 196 9 Work experience in a related occupation
College and university
faculty 195 23 Doctor's degree
Computer programmers 191 30 Bachelor's degree
Adjustment clerks 163 34 Short-term on-the-job training
Correctional officers 148 39 Long-term on-the-job training