Click here to return to the home page for Southwest Minnesota Careers
Click here to see a list of hot jobs sorted by current demand Click here to see a list of hot jobs sorted by future demand Click here to see a list of hot jobs sorted by annual wages Click here to see a list of growing and emerging industries in Southwest Minnesota Click here to take a career and skill assessment Click here to get help with your job search and resume writing

Click here to see a list of occupations in demand in Southwest MinnesotaCareer exploration is all about gathering information. What are you interested in doing? Are any of those jobs available? How much do those occupations pay? Do you have the education or training needed for those jobs? This website was designed by the Southwest Minnesota WorkForce Council to help you answer these career exploration questions. But there is another important piece of information to consider: Where do you want to live? Job availability depends on where you live.

Let's look at an example: say that you want to go to college or get training in another state, but some day you would like to move back to Southwest Minnesota to live and work. It is important to note that many of the jobs that are and will be available in the region require or prefer some sort of post-secondary education, from a vocational award or certificate to an associate degree or bachelor's degree. And although many other jobs will be available with no post-secondary requirements, your education is a very worthwhile investment. You'll see in the list of 100 Hot Jobs featured below that the highest-paying jobs tend to require some education or experience, while the lowest-paying jobs require little education and tend to have much higher turnover. Planning for your education and career will help you enjoy a better future.

While the 100 occupations on this list are great choices because of their current and future demand in the region, should you limit your occupational choices to this list? No! Choosing a career is a very personal decision and you should still take into consideration all aspects of a career when you’re making a choice, such as educational requirements, annual wages, and your personality style and work values. In fact, the state of Minnesota tracks more than 770 different occupations, many of which are available in Southwest Minnesota even though they did not make this list of hot jobs. For additional information on how to plan your career and conduct an effective job search, please contact your local Minnesota WorkForce Center.

(Occupational titles are links to ISEEK career information pages that will open in a new window,
where you can study the career description, work activities, and plan your education)

Occupations in Demand in Southwest Minnesota, Sorted by Training/Education Requirements
Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota
Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota
Occupations Requiring an Advanced Degree
Family & General Practitioners
120
5.4%
61
Dentists
65
5.4%
46
Pharmacists
90
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
19.4%
91
Physical Therapists
90
28.7%
58
Occupational Therapists
60
26.8%
40
Clinical & Counseling Psychologists
100
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
8.5%
48
Educational & Vocational Counselors
80
15.1%
104
Substance Abuse & Behavioral Disorder Counselors & Social Workers
50
30.9%
62
Medical & Health Services Managers
150
16.1%
99
Computer Systems Analysts
110
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
20.1%
83
Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota
Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota
Occupations Requiring a Bachelor's Degree and Work Experience
Sales & Marketing Managers
240
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
1.5%
96
Bachelor's deg. + work exper.
Computer & Info. Systems Managers
110
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
6.5%
45
Financial Managers
260
4.6%
88
Education Administrators
150
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
1.3%
156
Industrial Production Managers
140
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
2.3%
127
General & Operations Managers
750
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
-4.1%
534
Administrative Services Managers
80
6.0%
65
Postsecondary Vocational Education Teachers, including Nursing Instructors
10
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
16.8%
130
Purchasing Agents & Buyers (incl. Farm Products & Wholesale Trade)
140
-5.0%
85
Cost Estimators
110
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
9.4%
95
Electrical Engineers
50
7.3%
38
Chemists
30
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
7.7%
13
Mechanical Engineers
140
0.9%
51
Environmental Scientists & Specialists
30
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
14.3%
25
Industrial Engineers
170
14.3%
102
Computer Software Engineers
360
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
24.1%
151
Management & Market Research Analysts
140
7.2%
209
Network & Computer Systems Admins.
190
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
7.0%
110
Loan Officers
200
13.0%
152
Securities, Commodities & Financial Services Sales Representatives
130
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
15.1%
89
Accountants & Auditors
490
7.9%
373
Medical & Clinic Laboratory Technologists
90
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
13.2%
36
Elementary & High School Teachers
1,240
-6.8%
1,132
HR, Employment, & Training Specialists
140
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
11.7%
26
Insurance Sales Agents
240
14.5%
220
Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota
Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota
Occupations Requiring an Associate Degree or Post-Secondary Training
Network Systems & Data Comm. Analysts
60
24.7%
66
Registered Nurses
1,690
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
27.5%
1,116
Dental Hygienists
80
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
28.4%
102
Radiologic Technologists & Technicians
120
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
23.3%
81
Agricultural & Food Science Technicians
40
8.6%
31
Medical & Clinic Laboratory Technicians
90
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
20.7%
64
Medical Recs. & Health Info. Technicians
100
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
14.5%
123
Wind Energy Technicians & Mechanics
125
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
100.0%
125
Associate degree
Appraisers & Assessors of Real Estate
50
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
2.1%
42
Farm Equipment, Truck Mechanics &
Diesel Engine Specialists
150
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
14.2%
112
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
710
5.9%
668
Automotive Service Techs & Mechanics
290
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
-1.5%
244
Ethanol & Chemical Plant Technicians
120
32.3%
109
Welders, Cutters, Solderers & Brazers
280
-2.6%
249
Postsecondary voc. award
Emergency Medical Techs & Paramedics
120
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
9.4%
122
Medical Secretaries
220
16.4%
99
Hairstylists & Cosmetologists
100
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
3.2%
123
Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota
Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota
Occupations Requiring Work Experience in a Related Occupation or Post-secondary Training
First-line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installation, & Repair Workers
240
0.7%
205
Construction Managers
290
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
6.0%
172
First-line Supervisors of Transportation & Material Moving Workers
160
3.3%
100
First-line Supervisors of Production & Operating Workers (Line Managers)
540
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
0.7%
258
Office Managers
640
0.4%
312
First-line Supervisors of Personal Care & Service Workers
110
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
23.0%
171
First-line Supervisors of Retail Workers
530
2.3%
476
First-line Supervisors of Food Preparation Workers (Fast Food & Restaurant)
420
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
1.6%
100
Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota
Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota
Occupations Requiring Long-Term On-The-Job Training or Post-secondary Training
Electrical Powerline Installers & Repair
50
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
17.1%
97
Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal & Plastic
120
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
0.7%
36
Boiler Operators & Stationary Engineers
50
6.8%
35
Claims Adjusters, Exam. & Investigators
70
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
3.2%
45
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers
320
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
5.7%
469
Industrial Machinery Mechanics &
Fluid Power Technicians
320
14.4%
259
Machinists
220
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
1.3%
90
Cabinetmakers & Bench Carpenters
170
-0.5%
130
Cooks, Institution & Cafeteria
240
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
3.9%
239
Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota
Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota
Occupations Requiring Moderate-Term On-The-Job Training or Post-secondary Training
Sales Representatives (Mfg. & Services)
640
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
2.0%
369
Correctional Officers & Jailers
400
9.2%
150
Executive Secretaries & Admin. Assts.
640
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
9.1%
308
Eligibility Interviewers, Gov't Programs
80
-3.0%
41
Truck Drivers, Heavy & Tractor-Trailer
1,520
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
0.3%
763
Agricultural Equipment Operators
30
29.3%
108
Painting & Coating Machine Operators
80
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
-13.8%
37
Construction Laborers
300
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
5.7%
132
Bookkeeping, Acctg., & Auditing Clerks
870
5.4%
744
Customer Service Representatives
670
13.6%
879
Slaughterers & Meat Packers
550
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
0.8%
761
Medical Assistants
150
32.0%
183
Pharmacy Technicians
100
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
29.3%
204
Social & Human Service Assistants
810
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
34.6%
659
Farmworkers & Laborers (Crop & Animal)
950
4.2%
976
Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota
Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota
Occupations Requiring Short-Term On-The-Job Training
Trash & Recyclable Material Collectors
40
19.7%
97
Food Batchmakers
30
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
10.6%
109
Personal & Home Care Aides
420
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
40.1%
1,929
Bill & Account Collectors
80
2.5%
28
Shipping, Receiving, & Traffic Clerks
360
0.1%
209
Nursing Aides, Orderlies & Attendants
1,170
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
7.0%
558
Meat, Poultry & Fish Cutters & Trimmers
240
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
2.4%
115
General Office Clerks
1,560
7.6%
1,402
Tellers
250
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
8.5%
561
Janitors, Maids, Housekeeping Cleaners
1,360
7.2%
900
Precision Assemblers & Fabricators
(incl. Electrical & Electronic Equip.)
640
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
-24.7%
187
Home Health Aides
1,070
37.5%
793
Retail Salespersons
1,500
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
8.4%
1,939
Cashiers & Counter & Rental Clerks
2,190
-3.2%
2,544
Packers & Packagers, Hand
450
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
-10.4%
164
Route Salespersons, Drivers
200
-13.3%
153
Source: Minnesota Dept. of Employment & Economic Development
2009 Median Annual Salary Data from the 2009 Minnesota Salary Survey for Region 6W and Region 8
Current Demand Data from the Occupations in Demand Tool for Region 6W and Region 8
Projected Employment Data from the 2006-2016Minnesota Employment Projections Program for Southwest Minnesota

 

Click here to return to the Southwest Minnesota Careers home page