Table 6. The 30 occupations with the largest employment growth, 2008-18
(In thousands)
Occupation Occupational group Employment Change Most significant source of
postsecondary education
2008 2018 Number Percent or training (1)
Registered nurses....................... Professional and related occupations (2)... 2,619 3,200 582 22.2 Associate degree
Home health aides....................... Service occupations (3).................... 922 1,383 461 50.0 Short-term on-the-job
training
Customer service representatives........ Office and administrative support Moderate-term on-the-job
occupations.............................. 2,252 2,652 400 17.7 training
Combined food preparation and
serving workers, including fast food.. Service occupations (3).................... 2,702 3,096 394 14.6 Short-term on-the-job
training
Personal and home care aides............ Service occupations (3).................... 817 1,193 376 46.0 Short-term on-the-job
training
Retail salespersons..................... Sales and related occupations.............. 4,489 4,864 375 8.4 Short-term on-the-job
training
Office clerks, general.................. Office and administrative support Short-term on-the-job
occupations.............................. 3,024 3,383 359 11.9 training
Accountants and auditors................ Management, business, and financial
occupations (4).......................... 1,291 1,570 279 21.7 Bachelor's degree
Nursing aides, orderlies, and........... Service occupations (3).................... 1,470 1,746 276 18.8 Postsecondary vocational
attendants award
Postsecondary teachers.................. Professional and related occupations (2)... 1,699 1,956 257 15.1 Doctoral degree
Construction laborers................... Construction and extraction occupations.... 1,249 1,505 256 20.5 Moderate-term on-the-job
training
Elementary school teachers, except
special education..................... Professional and related occupations (2)... 1,550 1,794 244 15.8 Bachelor's degree
Truck drivers, heavy and
tractor-trailer....................... Transportation and material moving Short-term on-the-job
occupations.............................. 1,798 2,031 233 13.0 training
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers.. Service occupations (3).................... 1,206 1,423 217 18.0 Short-term on-the-job
training
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing
clerks................................ Office and administrative support Moderate-term on-the-job
occupations.............................. 2,064 2,276 212 10.3 training
Executive secretaries and administra-
tive assistants....................... Office and administrative support Work experience in a
occupations.............................. 1,594 1,799 204 12.8 related occupation
Management analysts..................... Management, business, and financial Bachelor's or higher degree,
occupations (4).......................... 747 925 178 23.9 plus work experience
Computer software engineers,
applications.......................... Professional and related occupations (2)... 515 690 175 34.0 Bachelor's degree
Receptionists and information clerks.... Office and administrative support Short-term on-the-job
occupations.............................. 1,139 1,312 173 15.2 training
Carpenters.............................. Construction and extraction occupations.... 1,285 1,450 165 12.9 Long-term on-the-job
training
Medical assistants...................... Service occupations (3).................... 484 648 164 33.9 Moderate-term on-the-job
training
First-line supervisors/managers of
office and administrative support
workers............................... Office and administrative support Work experience in a
occupations.............................. 1,457 1,618 160 11.0 related occupation
Network systems and data communica-
tions analysts........................ Professional and related occupations (2)... 292 448 156 53.4 Bachelor's degree
Licensed practical and licensed
vocational nurses..................... Professional and related occupations (2)... 754 909 156 20.7 Postsecondary vocational
award
Security guards......................... Service occupations (3).................... 1,077 1,229 153 14.2 Short-term on-the-job
training
Waiters and waitresses.................. Service occupations (3).................... 2,382 2,533 152 6.4 Short-term on-the-job
training
Maintenance and repair workers, general. Installation, maintenance, and repair Moderate-term on-the-job
occupations.............................. 1,361 1,509 148 10.9 training
Physicians and surgeons................. Professional and related occupations (2)... 661 806 144 21.8 First professional degree
Child care workers...................... Service occupations (3).................... 1,302 1,444 142 10.9 Short-term on-the-job
training
Teacher assistants...................... Professional and related occupations (2)... 1,313 1,448 135 10.3 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 Measures of Education and Training, on the
Internet at www.bls.gov/emp/ep_projections_methods.htm.
2 Major occupational groups 15-0000 through 29-0000 in the 2000 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC).
3 Major occupational groups 31-0000 through 39-0000 in the 2000 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC).
4 Major occupational groups 11-0000 through 13-0000 in the 2000 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC).
