Hot job markets

Diverse Issues in Higher Education, Nov 16, 2006

The hottest career fields and those projected to experience the most growth are primarily in the science and engineering fields, along with various jobs within the health care industry. Probably not surprising, these charts show that the more education you have, the more you're expected to earn.

But what may come as a surprise is the fact that, between 2004 and 2006, MBAs actually experienced a decline in hiring, the only group to do so.

Projected Job Growth, 2004-2014

                         Projected
                         Job Growth     2004 Average
Position                 2004-2014         Salary

Home Health Aide            56%           no data
                                          provided

Network systems and         55%            $41,820
data communications
analyst

Medical Assistant           52%        $27,500-$41,780

Physician Assistant         50%            $41,820

Computer software           48%            $42,000
engineer, applications

Physical                    44%        $27,500-$41,780
therapist assistant

Dental hygienist            43%       no data provided

Computer                    43%            $42,000
software engineer,
system software

Dental assistant            43%       no data provided

Personal and                41%            $19,600
home care aide

SOURCE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, 2004

Average Yearly Salary
for Bachelor's Degree-Holders;
2000 & 2006

                              2006       2000

Accounting                  $44,928     $36,710
Economics/Finance           $44,588     $37,757
Computer Science            $50,744     $49,055
Chemical Engineering        $56,269     $48,890
Electrical Engineering      $53,300     $48,613

* SOURCE: SALARY SURVEY (FALL 1999 2006), NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
COLLEGES AND EMPLOYERS

Note: Table made from bar graph.

Average Salary Based
On Degree Type, 2006

Degree                         Average Salary Range

Associate                        $28,700-$35,100
Bachelor's                       $38,600-$44,800
Master's                         $47,000,$55,200
MBA                              $58,200-$68,300
Ph.D./First Professional         $68,800-$86,400

SOURCE: COLLEGIATE EMPLOYMENT RESEARCH INSTITUTE,
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

HOT MAJORS

Accounting
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Finance
Logistics/Supply Chain
Marketing
Mechanical Engineering
Nursing
Pharmacy

SOURCE: COLLEGIATE EMPLOYMENT RESEARCH INSTITUTE,
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Who's Hiring?
Percent Increase In 2005 over 2004

Construction                           62%
Finance/Insurance/Real Estate          53%
Education                              49%
Information Services                   48%
Transportation                         46%
Public Agencies                        36%
Manufacturing                          33%
Nonprofit Organizations                32%
Administrative Services                26%
Wholesale                              24%

SOURCE: COLLEGIATE EMPLOYMENT RESEARCH INSTITUTE,
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Note: Table made from bar graph.

Degrees Held by New Hires, 2004-2006

                            2004-2005   2005-2006

Total                         46.8%         49%
Associate                     12.8%       13.9%
Bachelor's                    31.9%       33.4%
MBAs                          11.3%       10.5%
Master's                      20.7%       23.1%
Ph.D./First Prof.             12.6%       12.8%

SOURCE: COLLEGIATE EMPLOYMENT RESEARCH INSTITUTE
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Note: Table made from bar graph.