10 Occupations That Have the Most Job Openings
Are you looking for a job right now? These careers are hiring and some require very little training. If you don't need a job immediately, but instead want to train for an occupation that should have job openings in a couple of years, you might find it on this list as well. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts these careers will have the most job openings through 2022.
It's important to keep in mind that, regardless of how easy it may be to find work, any career you choose must be suitable for you. That is especially true if you are picking a career that you hope to stay with for a while. Be wary of best careers lists. Explore your career options by reading job descriptions. Once you have done that, conduct informational interviews with people who work in the occupations that you are seriously considering to learn more about them. Then do a self assessment to find out what your own interests, personality type, aptitude and values are. Make sure the career you are considering is good match for you based on those characteristics.
Remember that the median wage given here should serve only as a point-of-reference. Earnings vary by employer and depend on factors including experience, training, and location.
Sources:
CareerOneStop, Occupations With the Most Job Openings
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-2015
O*NET OnLine
Retail salespeople sell products directly to consumers. They work for retailers, including department stores, clothing and accessories stores, car dealers and electronics stores, and are trained on the job. Although there aren't any formal educational requirements, many employers prefer to hire job candidates who have a high school or equivalency diploma. Retail salespeople earned median hourly wages of $10.29 and a median annual salary of $21,390 in 2013.More »
Fast food workers prepare and take payments for customers' orders of food and drinks. They also keep food preparation and dining areas neat and clean. Employers usually hire high school students and provide short term on-the-job training. Fast food workers earned median hourly wages of $8.85 and median annual earnings of $18,410 in 2013.More »
Cashiers receive payments from customers in retail establishments such as supermarkets, department stores, movie theaters and gas stations. When filling full time positions, many employers prefer high school graduates, but they usually hire high school students for part-time jobs. Cashiers receive on-the-job training. They earned median hourly wages of $9.16 and a median annual salary of $19,060 in 2013.More »
Waiters and waitresses serve customers food and beverages in restaurants. They also greet them when they arrive, explain menu items to them and sometimes recommend dishes. Employers provide on-the-job training. Although many prefer to hire high school graduates, other hire workers who are still in school. Waiters and waitresses earned median hourly wages of $9.01 and a median annual salary of $18,730 in 2013.More »
Registered nurses provide direct patient care in hospitals and other health care facilities. They give patients and their families advice and emotional support. A registered nurse must have either a bachelor's of science degree in nursing, an associate degree in nursing or a nursing diploma issued by a hospital. They earned a median annual salary of $66,640 and median hourly wages of $32.04 in 2013. This is the highest paying occupation on this list. It also requires significantly more training than any of the others.More »
Customer service representatives answer questions and resolve problems for consumers. While many employers will hire workers who have a high school diploma, others prefer those who have an associate or bachelor's degree. Customer service representatives are trained on-the-job. They earned a median annual salary of $31,200 and median hourly wages of $15.00 in 2013.More »
Although duties vary by employer and one's level of experience, office clerks generally file, answer telephones, schedule appointments, do data entry, type correspondence and handle mail. Employers prefer job candidates who have a high school or equivalency diploma. Preparation can include taking high school or community college classes in word processing, other software applications and office procedures, in addition to on-the-job training. Office clerks earned median hourly wages of $13.78 and a median annual salary of $28,670 in 2013.More »
Laborers and hand material movers use dollies, forklifts, hand trucks and other manually-operated equipment to move freight, stock and other materials. Employers often prefer to hire workers who have a high school or equivalency diploma. They provide on-the-job training. Laborers and hand material movers earned median hourly wages of $11.74 and a median annual salary of $24,430 in 2013.More »
Janitors maintain buildings including residences, office buildings, schools, stores and health care facilities. They clean and make minor repairs. They learn how to do their job by working alongside more experienced employees. Janitors earned median hourly wages of $10.98 and a median annual salary of $22,840 in 2013.More »
Home care aides help people who have physical or cognitive disabilities perform activities of daily living. They assist them with personal hygiene, food preparation and housekeeping. Also known as personal care aides and companions, home care aides do not provide any medical services. They are not required to have a high school diploma but many do. Some states, but not all, require them to be formally trained through courses at community colleges, healthcare agencies and vocational schools. Home care aides earned median hourly wages of $9.83 and a median annual salary of $20,440 in 2013.More »
It's important to keep in mind that, regardless of how easy it may be to find work, any career you choose must be suitable for you. That is especially true if you are picking a career that you hope to stay with for a while. Be wary of best careers lists. Explore your career options by reading job descriptions. Once you have done that, conduct informational interviews with people who work in the occupations that you are seriously considering to learn more about them. Then do a self assessment to find out what your own interests, personality type, aptitude and values are. Make sure the career you are considering is good match for you based on those characteristics.
Remember that the median wage given here should serve only as a point-of-reference. Earnings vary by employer and depend on factors including experience, training, and location.
Sources:
CareerOneStop, Occupations With the Most Job Openings
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-2015
O*NET OnLine
1. Retail Salespeople
Retail salespeople sell products directly to consumers. They work for retailers, including department stores, clothing and accessories stores, car dealers and electronics stores, and are trained on the job. Although there aren't any formal educational requirements, many employers prefer to hire job candidates who have a high school or equivalency diploma. Retail salespeople earned median hourly wages of $10.29 and a median annual salary of $21,390 in 2013.More »
2. Fast Food Workers
Fast food workers prepare and take payments for customers' orders of food and drinks. They also keep food preparation and dining areas neat and clean. Employers usually hire high school students and provide short term on-the-job training. Fast food workers earned median hourly wages of $8.85 and median annual earnings of $18,410 in 2013.More »
3. Cashiers
Cashiers receive payments from customers in retail establishments such as supermarkets, department stores, movie theaters and gas stations. When filling full time positions, many employers prefer high school graduates, but they usually hire high school students for part-time jobs. Cashiers receive on-the-job training. They earned median hourly wages of $9.16 and a median annual salary of $19,060 in 2013.More »
4. Waiters and Waitresses
Waiters and waitresses serve customers food and beverages in restaurants. They also greet them when they arrive, explain menu items to them and sometimes recommend dishes. Employers provide on-the-job training. Although many prefer to hire high school graduates, other hire workers who are still in school. Waiters and waitresses earned median hourly wages of $9.01 and a median annual salary of $18,730 in 2013.More »
5. Registered Nurse
Registered nurses provide direct patient care in hospitals and other health care facilities. They give patients and their families advice and emotional support. A registered nurse must have either a bachelor's of science degree in nursing, an associate degree in nursing or a nursing diploma issued by a hospital. They earned a median annual salary of $66,640 and median hourly wages of $32.04 in 2013. This is the highest paying occupation on this list. It also requires significantly more training than any of the others.More »
6. Customer Service Representatives
Customer service representatives answer questions and resolve problems for consumers. While many employers will hire workers who have a high school diploma, others prefer those who have an associate or bachelor's degree. Customer service representatives are trained on-the-job. They earned a median annual salary of $31,200 and median hourly wages of $15.00 in 2013.More »
7. Office Clerk
Although duties vary by employer and one's level of experience, office clerks generally file, answer telephones, schedule appointments, do data entry, type correspondence and handle mail. Employers prefer job candidates who have a high school or equivalency diploma. Preparation can include taking high school or community college classes in word processing, other software applications and office procedures, in addition to on-the-job training. Office clerks earned median hourly wages of $13.78 and a median annual salary of $28,670 in 2013.More »
8. Laborers and Hand Material Movers
Laborers and hand material movers use dollies, forklifts, hand trucks and other manually-operated equipment to move freight, stock and other materials. Employers often prefer to hire workers who have a high school or equivalency diploma. They provide on-the-job training. Laborers and hand material movers earned median hourly wages of $11.74 and a median annual salary of $24,430 in 2013.More »
9. Janitors
Janitors maintain buildings including residences, office buildings, schools, stores and health care facilities. They clean and make minor repairs. They learn how to do their job by working alongside more experienced employees. Janitors earned median hourly wages of $10.98 and a median annual salary of $22,840 in 2013.More »
10. Home Care Aides
Home care aides help people who have physical or cognitive disabilities perform activities of daily living. They assist them with personal hygiene, food preparation and housekeeping. Also known as personal care aides and companions, home care aides do not provide any medical services. They are not required to have a high school diploma but many do. Some states, but not all, require them to be formally trained through courses at community colleges, healthcare agencies and vocational schools. Home care aides earned median hourly wages of $9.83 and a median annual salary of $20,440 in 2013.More »
Source...