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Click here to see a list of hot jobs sorted by current demand Click here to see a list of hot jobs sorted by education requirements 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 Future Growth Projections (alphabetical order)
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 Projected to Show Well Above Average Growth
Wind Energy Technicians & Mechanics
130
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
100.0%
130
Associate degree
Physician Assistants
50
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
43.5%
20
Home Health Aides
1,560
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
42.0%
793
Personal & Home Care Aides
420
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
40.1%
1,929
Veterinarians
50
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
33.8%
17
Dental Hygienists
70
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
31.2%
102
Dental Assistants
120
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
30.7%
151
Medical Assistants
170
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
29.6%
183
Agricultural Equipment Operators
30
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
29.3%
108
Pharmacy Technicians
170
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
28.2%
204
Hairstylists & Cosmetologists
100
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
27.4%
123
Family & General Practitioners
70
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
27.1%
61
Trash & Recyclable Material Collectors
60
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
26.4%
97
Radiologic (X-ray) Technicians
110
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
26.0%
81
Registered Nurses
1,150
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
23.8%
1,116
Computer Software Engineers
190
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
22.8%
151
Medical Recs. & Health Info. Technicians
120
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
21.6%
123
Physical Therapists
50
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
21.4%
58
Management & Market Research Analysts
120
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
21.3%
209
Medical & Clinic Laboratory Technicians
90
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
20.7%
64
Mixing & Blending Machine Setters
120
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
20.3%
40
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 Projected to Show Above Average Growth
Occupational & Physical Therapist Assts.
50
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
19.7%
35
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
850
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
19.1%
668
Occupational Therapists
50
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
19.0%
40
Cost Estimators
90
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
19.0%
95
Social & Human Service Assistants
480
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
18.7%
659
Civil Engineers
40
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
18.3%
50
Emergency Medical Techs & Paramedics
450
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
18.3%
122
Human Resources, Employment, & Training Specialists
60
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
17.2%
44
Substance Abuse & Behav. Disorder Counselors & Social Workers
40
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
16.8%
115
Professors & Postsecondary Vocational Education Teachers, incl. Nursing
10
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
16.8%
130
Medical & Health Services Managers
130
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
16.6%
99
Paralegals & Legal Assistants
70
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
15.8%
33
Pharmacists
120
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
15.3%
91
Accountants & Auditors
510
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
15.3%
373
Dispatchers (Trucking, Fire, Police, etc.)
120
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
15.2%
42
Fast Food Prep & Serving Workers
1,670
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
14.9%
1,419
Customer Service Representatives
520
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
14.8%
879
Dentists
90
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
14.6%
46
Ethanol & Chemical Plant Technicians
60
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
14.5%
109
Environmental Scientists & Specialists
30
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
14.3%
25
Farm Equipment, Truck Mechanics & Diesel Engine Specialists
150
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
14.2%
112
Carpenters & Construction Laborers
700
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
14.0%
390
Nursing Aides, Orderlies & Attendants
1,770
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
13.8%
558
Medical Secretaries & Transcriptionists
300
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
13.3%
152
Truck Drivers, Heavy & Tractor-Trailer
1,780
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
13.2%
763
Network & Computer Sys. Administrators
140
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
12.0%
110
Industrial Engineers
130
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
11.9%
102
Plumbers & Pipefitters
70
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
11.9%
82
Computer Systems Analysts
80
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
11.5%
83
Cabinetmakers & Bench Carpenters
130
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
11.3%
130
Purchasing Agents & Buyers (incl. Farm Products & Wholesale Trade)
160
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
10.1%
85
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 Projected to Show Average Growth
Elementary & High School Teachers
1,020
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
9.6%
466
Appraisers & Assessors of Real Estate / Title Examiners
60
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
9.5%
42
Clinical & Counseling Psychologists
40
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
9.4%
48
General Office Clerks
1,600
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
9.3%
1,402
Tellers
340
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
9.2%
561
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics
150
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
9.1%
112
Executive Secretaries & Admin. Assts.
440
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
8.9%
308
Cooks, Institution & Cafeteria
410
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
8.9%
239
Securities, Commodities & Financial Services Sales Representatives
90
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
8.7%
89
Boiler Operators & Stationary Engineers
60
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
8.7%
35
Sales & Marketing Managers
170
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
8.6%
96
Bachelor's deg. + work exp.
Agriculture & Food Science Technicians
40
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
8.6%
31
Computer-Controlled (CNC) Machine
Tool Operators, Metal & Plastic
170
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
8.3%
36
Dietitians, Nutritionists & Health Educators
40
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
8.1%
56
Industrial Machinery Mechanics &
Fluid Power Technicians
330
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
8.0%
259
Bill & Account Collectors
150
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
8.0%
28
Loan Officers
290
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
7.8%
152
Retail Salespersons
1,330
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
7.1%
1,939
Bookkeeping, Accounting, & Audit Clerks
1,220
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
6.6%
744
Computer & Info. Systems Managers
110
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
6.5%
45
Financial Managers
200
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
6.5%
88
Construction Managers
290
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
6.0%
172
Waiters & Waitresses
1,020
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
6.0%
1,796
Electricians
160
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
5.9%
289
Bus Drivers, School & Transit
550
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
5.5%
45
Child, Family & School Social Workers
220
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
5.3%
122
First-line Supervisors of Food Preparation Workers (Fast Food & Restaurant)
540
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
5.2%
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 Projected to Show Below Average Growth
Correctional Officers & Jailers
130
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
4.9%
150
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers
340
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
4.6%
469
First-line Supervisors of Retail Workers
680
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
4.5%
476
Loan Interviewers & New Account Clerks
130
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
4.0%
190
Teacher Assistants
1,430
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
3.8%
403
Electrical Powerline Installers & Repairers
210
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
3.7%
97
Education Administrators
100
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
3.3%
95
Slaughterers & Meat Packers
330
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
2.8%
761
Sales Representatives (Wholesale, Manufacturing & Services)
660
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
2.6%
369
Janitors, Maids/Housekeeping Cleaners
1,100
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
2.4%
900
Cashiers & Counter & Rental Clerks
2,110
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
2.2%
2,187
Route Salespersons, Drivers
350
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
1.9%
153
Laundry & Dry-Cleaning Workers
160
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
1.5%
84
First-line Supervisors of Production & Operating Workers (Line Managers)
540
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
0.7%
258
First-line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installation, & Repair Workers
230
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
0.6%
205
Farmworkers & Laborers (Crop & Animal)
950
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
0.0%
184
Mechanical Eng. & Electrical Engineers
120
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
-0.3%
51
Automotive Service Techs & Mechanics
310
Click here to see DEED's  Occupations in Demand results
-1.6%
244
Laborers & Freight/Stock Movers, Hand
950
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
-2.1%
790
Welders, Cutters, Solderers & Brazers
490
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
-7.9%
249
Postsecondary voc. award
Shipping, Receiving, & Traffic Clerks
310
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand results
-9.7%
209
Source: Minnesota Dept. of Employment & Economic Development
2010 Median Annual Salary Data from the 2010 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 2009-2019 Minnesota Employment Projections Program

 

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