Fresh Profile: California Employment Outlook

Published on 2008-04-16

The Employment Development Department of California projects that nine of the ten fastest growing occupations in the state over the next decade will be computer or healthcare related. The California computer jobs that are expected to see the most growth include database administrators, computer software engineers, and network systems and data communications analysts. The fastest growing California medical jobs should include home health aides, dental hygienists and assistants, and physician assistants. With the exception of home health aides and dental assistants, all of these occupations require an AA, BA or BS degree.

Though California's computer and healthcare industries are on the rise, it's the service sector that will provide the greatest number of job openings in the coming years. Retail and warehouse jobs in California are at the top of the list, along with cashiers and office clerks. Waiter and waitress jobs are also among the top five occupations that will have the most job openings in the next decade.

Additional occupations that will offer a large number of CA job openings include:

•     Registered nurses - Over 100,000 California nursing jobs are expected to open over the next decade, with a median wage of $33.85/hour.
•     Janitors and cleaners (excluding maids and housekeepers)
•     General and Operations Managers - Management jobs are the highest paying positions on the list, but the job requirements are also higher: a BA or BS degree in addition to relevant work experience.
•     Combined food preparation and serving workers
•     Elementary school teachers

Employment in major metro areas of California

•   Los Angeles

The education and health services sector will be the fastest growing major industry for jobs in Los Angeles. About 90% of all new jobs created in L.A. over the next decade are expected to be in education and health services, professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, retail trade, and government.

• San Francisco

The professional and business services sector is projected to be the single fastest growing source of San Francisco jobs. Much of this growth will occur in computer-related industries. Other sectors that should see strong job growth include leisure and hospitality, education and health services, and retail trade.

• San Diego

Professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and government are the three primary sectors expected to have the greatest impact on the creation of San Diego jobs. Of the 50 fastest growing occupations in San Diego, most are in the high-tech, education, health and scientific sectors.

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