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Tomorrow's Jobs



Best Career Opportunities in West Virginia through 2016

 Even in today's challenging economic climate, there are great jobs available in West Virginia -- if you have the right education, training and experience.

Consider this:
  • Seventy-five percent of all job openings in West Virginia through 2016 will be to fill existing positions. The other 25 percent will be new jobs –- ones that did not exist before. Nearly 60 percent of these new jobs will require at least a two-year degree.
  • Some jobs will disappear. Eighty percent of these only require on-the-job training.
  • The best return on investment in education may be a two-year Associate degree. Occupations that typically require a minimum of a two-year degree pay 95 percent of those that requires a Bachelors degree pays.

West Virginia’s Projected Workforce, 2006 to 2016

West Virginia’s workforce is projected to grow from 785,000 in 2006 to 835,000 in 2016. Annually through 2016, there will be nearly 24,000 job openings throughout the state.

Here is an overview of the 100 Fastest Growing Occupations in West Virginia through 2016:
  • Annually, 5,200 jobs should available in these 100 occupations.
  • 53% (2,800) of these will be new jobs, where one did not exist before.
  • 47% (2,400) of these will be replacement jobs, or replacing someone who left.
  • 58% will require at least a two‐year college degree.
  • The most common training requirements will be:
    • Bachelor’s degree (36%)
    • Moderate on‐the‐job training (19%)
    • Associate’s degree (11%)
Top 20 Fastest Growing Occupations in West Virginia
Job Title
 Wage
 Degree
Network Systems & Data Communications Analysts $47,110 Bachelor's degree
Computer Software Engineers, Applications $67,500 Bachelor's degree
Aircraft Mechanics & Service Technicians $42,830 Postsecondary vocational award
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, & Systems Assembler $40,110 Moderate-term on-the-job training
Medical Assistants $21,780 Moderate-term on-the-job training
Home Health Aides $15,910 Short-term on-the-job training
Aerospace Engineers $78,610 Bachelor's degree
Physical Therapist Assistants $37,280 Associate degree
Personal & Home Care Aides $15,590 Short-term on-the-job training
Court Reporters $42,100 Postsecondary vocational award
Substance Abuse & Behavioral Disorder Counselors $35,600 Bachelor's degree
Correctional Officers & Jailers $29,950 Moderate-term on-the-job training
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists & Geographers $63,420 Master's degree
Computer Systems Analysts $60,370 Bachelor's degree
Dental Hygienists $43,930 Associate degree
Dental Assistants $25,540 Moderate-term on-the-job training
Computer Software Engineers, Systems Software $58,260 Bachelor's degree
Financial Analysts $59,860 Bachelor's degree
Pharmacy Technicians $22,720 Moderate-term on-the-job training
Physical Therapists $77,050 Master's degree


Sample of open jobs (May 3, 2010):

We looked at five leading companies in West Virginia and the jobs they currently have available in‐state:
  • Alcon Labs, Huntington, Cabell County
  • Alliant Techsystems, Rocket Center, Mineral County
  • Lockheed Martin, Clarksburg, Harrison County
  • Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Morgantown, Monongalia County
  • Northrop Grumman, Fairmont, Marion County

For 75 Job Openings* listed for the West Virginia locations, here was the minimum education required:
*Note:  This is up from 46 in January 2010 – a 63% increase
  • 63 (84%) jobs -- a Bachelor's Degree is the minimum
  • 6 (8%) jobs-- a high school diploma is the minimum
  • 1 (1%) -- an Advanced Degree is Preferred
  • 0 jobs -- a Master’s Degree is the minimum
  • 5 (7%) job -- an Associate Degree is the minimum

Line of Work:
  • 18 (24%) are management [Up 1 from Jan 2010]
  • 35 (47%) are in information technology [Up 24 from Jan 2010 – a 218% increase]
  • 12 (16%) are in engineering and sciences [Up 2 from Jan 2010]
  • 10 (13%) are in production, operations or maintenance [Up 5 from Jan 2010]
  • 0 are administrative [Down 3 from Jan 2010]

Source: Prepared for the Governor’s First Summit on Talent:  West Virginia’s Economy, May 5, 2010. Presented by Kelley Goes, Cabinet Secretary, West Virginia Department of Commerce.
Tomorrow's Jobs: Best Career Opportunities in West Virginia Through 2016