The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected employment to increase by 15.3 million, or 10.1 percent, during the period of 2008-18. The projections show an aging and more racially and ethnically diverse labor force, and employment growth in service-providing industries.
Professional and related occupations and service occupations will account for more than half of the new jobs. During the projection period, one-third of total job openings will come from occupations where a postsecondary degree or award is usually required. Job openings that arise from when workers retire or otherwise have to leave their occupations are projected to be more than double the number of openings due to economic growth.
The projected growth for the 2008-18 period is larger than the increase of 10.4 million over the 1998-2008 period, or 7.4 percent. The relatively slow growth rate for the earlier 10-year period was affected by the recession which began in December 2007, and the projected growth rate is higher than would otherwise be expected because the 2008 starting point is a recession year.
Employment Projections
