GULF COAST WORKFORCE REGION

High-Skill, High-Growth Jobs Targeted by the Gulf Coast Workforce Board1,2

SOC

Occupational Title
Educational Services

Employment Growth
Annual Averages
Absolute
2010
2020
Change

Percent
Change

Growth

Annual Average
Job Openings
Replacement

Total

Median
Hrly Wage
2011
na

25-2000

Primary, Secondary, & Special Education School Teachers

103,760

152,220

48,460

46.7%

4,845

2,520

7,365

25-1000

Postsecondary Teachers

30,410

37,350

6,940

22.8%

695

485

1,180

na

21-1012

Educational, Vocational, & School Counselors

6,250

8,540

2,290

36.6%

230

135

365

27.93

15,510

19,650

4,140

26.7%

415

415

830

17.93

14,030

16,790

2,760

19.7%

275

380

655

21.43

Specialty Construction
51-4121

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

2

47-2111

Electricians

47-2152

Plumbers, Pipefitters, & Steamfitters

10,420

12,610

2,190

21.0%

220

300

520

23.60

49-9021

Heating, Air Conditioning, & Refrigeration Mechanics & Installers

6,390

8,420

2,030

31.8%

205

115

320

20.05

49-3042

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

3,650

4,770

1,120

30.7%

110

95

205

17.60

13-1051

Cost Estimators

3,900

5,020

1,120

28.7%

110

75

185

31.53

Oil and Natural Gas Extraction and Manufacturing

3

17-2000

Engineers

47,870

58,880

11,010

23.0%

1,100

1,145

2,245

na

49-9041

Industrial Machinery Mechanics

11,630

16,460

4,830

41.5%

485

225

710

23.23

51-4041

Machinists

11,850

14,850

3,000

25.3%

300

220

520

18.95

47-5013

Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, & Mining2

6,570

8,930

2,360

35.9%

235

140

375

18.58

19-2042

Geoscientists, Ex. Hydrologists & Geographers

4,670

6,370

1,700

36.4%

170

140

310

61.63

51-8093

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, & Gaugers2

6,840

7,370

530

7.7%

55

225

280

30.93

49-9051

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers5

3,050

4,020

970

31.8%

95

110

205

24.72

51-8091

Chemical Plant and System Operators5

5,290

5,500

210

4.0%

20

175

195

32.92

19-4041

Geological & Petroleum Technicians2

2,310

3,100

790

34.2%

80

80

160

22.79

17-3023

Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians5

4,230

4,830

600

14.2%

60

80

140

29.89

47-2011

Boilermakers5

1,350

1,560

210

15.6%

20

50

70

22.40

Health Services
29-1111

Registered Nurses

43,870

60,620

16,750

38.2%

1,675

795

2,470

34.43

29-2061

Licensed Practical & Licensed Vocational Nurses

14,600

18,920

4,320

29.6%

430

390

820

21.28

29-10XX Doctors and Dentists4

13,300

16,830

3,530

26.5%

350

295

645

na

29-1051

5,130

6,560

1,430

27.9%

145

130

275

53.15
26.27

Pharmacists

29-2037

Radiologic Technologists & Technicians

3,760

5,300

1,540

41.0%

155

60

215

29-2071

Medical Records & Health Information Technicians

3,890

5,100

1,210

31.1%

120

80

200

17.64

29-1127

Speech-Language Pathologists2

2,780

3,820

1,040

37.4%

105

55

160

29.94

29-1126

Respiratory Therapists2

2,640

3,760

1,120

42.4%

110

50

160

26.54

29-2011

Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technologists2

3,320

4,120

800

24.1%

80

65

145

26.89

29-1123

Physical Therapists5

2,960

4,030

1,070

36.1%

105

35

140

39.38

29-1122

Occupational Therapists2

1,890

2,600

710

37.6%

70

35

105

36.28

High-Skill High-Growth Occupations

1

GULF COAST WORKFORCE REGION

High-Skill, High-Growth Jobs Targeted by the Gulf Coast Workforce Board1,2
SOC

Occupational Title
Professional and Technical Services

Employment Growth
Annual Averages
Absolute
2010
2020
Change

Percent
Change

Growth

Annual Average
Job Openings
Replacement

Total

Median
Hrly Wage
2011

15-1121

Computer Systems Analysts

11,020

13,520

2,500

22.7%

250

205

455

40.12

15-1133

Software Developers, Systems Software

8,220

10,770

2,550

31.0%

255

85

340

42.93

15-1142

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

6,720

8,910

2,190

32.6%

220

115

335

34.43

19-3021

Market Research Analysts

4,670

6,600

1,930

41.3%

195

125

320

28.49

15-1132

Software Developers, Applications

8,690

10,730

2,040

23.5%

205

90

295

43.98

Other
13-2011

Accountants & Auditors

25,270

31,380

6,110

24.2%

610

545

1,155

31.18

13-2051

Financial Analysts

4,680

5,850

1,170

25.0%

120

100

220

35.63

23-2011

Paralegals & Legal Assistants

4,730

6,280

1,550

32.8%

155

65

220

23.86

Notes
1. High-skill jobs targeted by the Gulf Coast Workforce Board are those that offer the best employment opportunities for Gulf Coast residents now and in the immediate future.
Criteria used to identify these occupations are:
Projected employment for 2020 equal to or greater than the average for all occupations in the region. (> 4,641)
Projected growth rate equal to or greater than the average of all occupations in the region. (> 22.7%)
Minimum education requirements of a postsecondary degree or certificate, long-term on-the-job training or work experience in a related occupation.
Median hourly wages equal to or greater than the median for all occupations in the region. (> $16.82)
2. Occupations from the prior year list meeting three of the four qualifying criteria and projected to have at least 50 percent of their 2020 employment in those industries targeted by the Gulf Coast Workforce Board
have been retained.
3. Engineers includes: Chemical, Civil, Computer Hardware, Electrical, Electronic, Industrial, Mechanical, Petroleum and others.
4. Doctors and Dentists includes: Dentists, Family & General Practitioners, Pediatricians, Internists, Surgeons, and others.
5. Other occupations meeting some but not all of the above criteria have also been included based on the best regional labor market intelligence available. Employers can petition to have other occupations added or
deleted as labor market conditions change.

Authorized for use by the Gulf Coast Workforce Board 04/02/2013

High-Skill High-Growth Occupations

2