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What occupations will grow the quickest in Missouri?

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Missouri Department of Economic Development officials estimate a net increase of 51,000 jobs statewide between 2017 and 2019, dominated by health care and technology positions.

Of the top 20 industries, four are in health care and technical occupations, and four are in computer and mathematical positions, according to data released by the DED’s Economic Research and Information Center.

Officials estimate the fastest-growing occupation will be personal care aides. The number of aides is expected to increase by 8.8 percent to 56,908 in 2019 compared with 52,312 in 2017.

While the personal care aide occupation is expected to grow by the largest amount, it’s the second-lowest paying job on the list, at an average annual wage of $20,810. The lowest is hotel, motel and resort desk clerks, at $20,790. The highest-paying job on the list is postsecondary teachers in health specialties, at $160,800, according to the DED data.

Below are the projected fastest-growing occupations in Missouri, by expected percent increases 2017-19. Also listed are projected employment numbers by 2020 and average annual wages:
    •    personal care aides, 56,908 jobs, 8.8 percent, $20,810;
    •    home health aides, 13,224, 7.8 percent, $22,440;
    •    software application developers, 15,597, 7.44 percent, $95,740;
    •    information security analysts, 3,199, 7.42 percent, $87,140;
    •    veterinary technologists and technicians, 1,725, 7 percent $36,370;
    •    veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers, 2,326, 6.9 percent, $24,350;
    •    veterinarians, 2,053, 6.8 percent, $90,220;
    •    statisticians, 1,011, 6.7 percent, $70,070;
    •    dental laboratory technicians, 912, 6 percent, $37,180;
    •    physician assistants, 1,119, 5.5 percent, $95,150;
    •    market research analysts and marketing specialists, 11,674, 5.4 percent, $65,220;
    •    nurse practitioners, 4,386, 5.3 percent, $93,140;
    •    paralegals and legal assistants, 5,400, 5.2 percent, $49,870;
    •    respiratory therapists, 2,904, 5.14 percent, $53,200;
    •    tax preparers, 1,796, 5.09 percent, $38,630;
    •    operations research analysts, 1,097, 5.08 percent, $73,020;
    •    postsecondary teachers in health specialties, 6,073, 4.9 percent, $160,800;
    •    biological technicians, 1,314, 4.8 percent, $39,550;
    •    hotel, motel and resort desk clerks, 4,972, 4.7 percent, $20,790; and
    •    postsecondary nursing instructors and teachers, 1,222, 4.6 percent, $74,300.

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steve@digitalprintink.net

If women want to improve on the imbalance between male and female wages their best bet is to go into jobs that pay better. "personal care aides, 56,908 jobs, 8.8 percent, $20,810; - home health aides - $22,440 will not get them there."

Take these two jobs for example according to the Paraprofessional Health Institute most of these jobs are filled by women. On this list though that are fast growing there are many professions that pay higher wages and should a higher number of women enter these fields we will see the imbalance improve.

According to Georgetown University: RE what majors pay the best and the % of male/female in them.

Number 1 best-paying major: Petroleum Engineering: 87% male

Number 2: Pharmaceutical Sciences: 48% male

3: Mathematics and Computer Science: 67% male

4: Aerospace Engineering: 88% male

5: Chemical Engineering: 72% male

Notice that women out-represent men in only one of the five top-paying majors – by only a few percentage points.

Now consider the same study's list of the five worst paying college majors:

Number 1: Counseling and Psychology: 74% female

Number 2: Early Childhood Education: 97% female

3: Theology and Religious Vocations: 66% male

4: Human Services and Community Organization: 81% female

5: Social Work: 88% female

The wage gap can be improved in many ways, but one clear way is by having more women enter majors that pay better. Your article provides many ideas that can help anyone considering a future major related to demand and potential income. Thanks for sharing

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