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News
Bureau of Labor Statistics

(202) 691-5700
http://www.bls.gov/oco/
http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/

United States
Department
of Labor
Washington, D.C. 20212

Technical information:

USDL 07-1922

Media contact:

For release: 10:00 A.M. EST
Tuesday, December 18, 2007

691-5902

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.
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 information 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 counselors, 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 projections 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 presentation 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-employed workers, earnings,
related occupations, and sources of additional information. 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.

2

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.
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 industry, 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 serviceproviding 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)

Occupation

Employment change,
2006-16
Number

Percent

Most significant source of postsecondary
education or training 1

Network systems and data communications analysts ………………………

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 investigators ……………………

3

33.6

Moderate-term on-the-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

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

Dental assistants ………………………………………………………………

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)

Occupation

Employment change,
2006-16
Number

Percent

Most significant source of postsecondary
education or 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 workers, including fast food …

452

18.1

Short-term on-the-job 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 housekeeping cleaners ………

345

14.5

Short-term on-the-job training

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants ……………………………………

264

18.2

Postsecondary vocational award

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks ……………………………

264

12.5

Moderate-term on-the-job training

Waiters and waitresses ………………………………………………………

255

10.8

Short-term on-the-job training

Child care workers ……………………………………………………………

248

17.8

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants ………………………

239

14.8

Short-term on-the-job training
Work experience in a 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-job 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

Management analysts ………………………………………………………

149

21.9

Bachelor's or higher 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)
Employment

Employment change

Industry
2006

2016

138,310

153,262

Natural resources, construction, and utilities ……………………………………………………

10,076

10,710

634

6.3

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing ………………………………………………………………

1,220

1,114

-105

-8.6

Construction ………………………………………………………………………………………

All industries ………………………………………………………………………………………

Number
14,951

Percent
10.8

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
-12.0

Computer and electronic product manufacturing ……………………………………………

1,316

1,159

-157

Food manufacturing ……………………………………………………………………………

1,484

1,489

5

.3

Machinery manufacturing ………………………………………………………………………

1,192

1,045

-146

-12.3

Motor vehicle and parts manufacturing ………………………………………………………

-14.3

1,070

918

-153

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

487

522

35

7.3

2,074

2,381

307

14.8
6.9

Air transportation ……………………………………………………………………………..
Truck transportation and warehousing …………………………………………………………

3,055

3,267

212

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

816

1,192

376

46.1

Professional and business services ……………………………………………………………… 17,552

23.3

Information …………………………………………………………………………………………

Securities, commodities, and other investments ……………………………………………

21,644

4,092

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

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

Social assistance, except child day care ………………………………………………………

NOTE: Columns may not add to totals due to omission of industries not covered in the Career Guide to Industries .