Michigan Releases Hot 50 Jobs Outlook through 2026, Includes Annual Wage Projections

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The Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget Wednesday released the latest long-term employment projections, which includes information about careers that are expected to be in the highest demand through 2026 in Michigan.

The Hot 50 lists the top high-demand, high-wage careers through 2026, highlighting career title, projected annual openings, hourly wage range, job growth information, and the education or training level needed. The Career Outlook brochure features the highest-demand jobs based on education level and highlights the top jobs in STEM careers.

Jobs on the Hot 50 list with the highest projected growth from 2016-2026 include health specialties teachers, postsecondary, with a 25.4 percent expected growth rate; nurse practitioners, with a 34.3 percent expected growth rate; physical therapist assistants, with a 30.7 percent expected growth rate; physical therapists, with a 27.4 percent expected growth rate; physician assistants, with a 37.8 percent expected growth rate; and software developers, applications, with a 31 percent growth rate.

Jobs with the most projected annual job openings include accountants and auditors, with 3,520; general and operations managers, with 5,760; heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, with 6,870; mechanical engineers, with 3,160; registered nurses, with 6,650; and sales representatives, except technical and scientific products, with 5,680.

This year was the first that an updated methodology was used to project future job openings. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics launched the new method in October 2017. The separations methodology better reflects the evolution of the workforce in the last 20 years and will help stakeholders better understand what will happen in the dynamic new economy.

“The data compiled in these lists are invaluable to students and jobseekers alike as they make decisions about their futures,” says Jason Palmer, director of DTMB’s Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives Bureau. “It is our goal to provide our education and workforce development partners with credible, relevant, timely, and transparent information to help them advise their constituents.”

The first-ever Michigan Occupational Outlook Conference, where the projections were first revealed, brought together representatives from education, state government, the legislature, and workforce development to learn about the information available to them and how it is developed.

Statistics about Michigan’s economy, labor force, population, and more are available here or through the MiEconomy app, available for iOS and Android.