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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 future demand Click here to see a list of hot jobs sorted by education requirements 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.

Many people are unsure of what they want to do for a job, but almost everyone knows that they want and need to earn money. Interestingly, those two key aspects of life are directly linked - the job you choose will determine the amount of money you are able to make in your lifetime! If you are interested in living and working in Southwest Minnesota, this website is designed to inform you about job availability and wages in this region of the state. The 100 Hot Jobs on this list have been selected because they are currently in high demand in Southwest Minnesota and are projected to stay that way into the future.

If you know the wage level that you want to reach in order to enjoy the lifestyle you want to live, you can explore the careers that meet those needs. You might also want to look at the many growing industries in Southwest Minnesota that offer good long-term career prospects, including health care, renewable energy and agriculture, manufacturing, and professional and technical services, as they will also provide great opportunities for economic security.

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 Median Annual Wage
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 in Demand Earning $60,000 or More
Family & General Practitioners
120
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
5.4%
61
Dentists
65
5.4%
46
Pharmacists
90
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
19.4%
91
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
Network Systems & Data Comm. Analysts
60
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
24.7%
66
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
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
Electrical Engineers
50
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
7.3%
38
Physical Therapists
90
28.7%
58
Chemists
30
7.7%
13
General & Operations Managers
750
-4.1%
534
Mechanical Engineers
140
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
0.9%
51
Administrative Services Managers
80
6.0%
65
Postsecondary Vocational Education Teachers, including Nursing
10
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
16.8%
130
Environmental Scientists & Specialists
30
14.3%
25
Industrial Engineers
170
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
14.3%
102
Dental Hygienists
80
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
28.4%
102
Computer Software Engineers
360
24.1%
151
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 in Demand Earning Between $45,000 and $60,000
Registered Nurses
1,690
27.5%
1,116
Management & Market Research Analysts
140
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
7.2%
209
Network & Computer Systems Admins.
190
7.0%
110
Occupational Therapists
60
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
26.8%
40
Electrical Powerline Installers & Repair
50
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
17.1%
97
Loan Officers
200
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
13.0%
152
Securities, Commodities & Financial Services Sales Representatives
130
15.1%
89
Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal & Plastic
120
0.7%
36
Boiler Operators & Stationary Engineers
50
6.8%
35
Clinical & Counseling Psychologists
100
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
8.5%
48
First-line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installation, & Repair Workers
240
0.7%
205
Accountants & Auditors
490
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
7.9%
373
Purchasing Agents & Buyers (incl. Farm Products & Wholesale Trade)
140
-5.0%
85
Construction Managers
290
6.0%
172
Medical & Clinic Laboratory Technologists
90
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
13.2%
36
Claims Adjusters, Exam. & Investigators
70
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
3.2%
45
Elementary & High School Teachers
1,240
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
-6.8%
1,132
Radiologic Technologists & Technicians
120
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
23.3%
81
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers
320
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
5.7%
469
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 in Demand Earning Between $30,000 and $45,000
Educational & Vocational Counselors
80
15.1%
104
Agricultural & Food Science Technicians
40
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
8.6%
31
Cost Estimators
110
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
9.4%
95
Substance Abuse & Behavioral Disorder Counselors & Social Workers
50
30.9%
62
First-line Supervisors of Transportation & Material Moving Workers
160
3.3%
100
HR, Employment, & Training Specialists
140
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
11.7%
26
Appraisers & Assessors of Real Estate
50
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
2.1%
42
Sales Representatives (Mfg. & Services)
640
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
2.0%
369
First-line Supervisors of Production & Operating Workers (Line Managers)
540
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
0.7%
258
Farm Equipment, Truck Mechanics &
Diesel Engine Specialists
150
14.2%
112
Office Managers
640
0.4%
312
Correctional Officers & Jailers
400
9.2%
150
Medical & Clinic Laboratory Technicians
90
20.7%
64
Insurance Sales Agents
240
14.5%
220
Industrial Machinery Mechanics &
Fluid Power Technicians
320
14.4%
259
Executive Secretaries & Admin. Assts.
640
9.1%
308
Eligibility Interviewers, Gov't Programs
80
-3.0%
41
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
710
5.9%
668
Wind Energy Technicians & Mechanics
125
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
100.0%
125
Associate degree
Cabinetmakers & Bench Carpenters
170
-0.5%
130
Trash & Recyclable Material Collectors
40
19.7%
97
Truck Drivers, Heavy & Tractor-Trailer
1,520
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
0.3%
763
Medical Recs. & Health Info. Technicians
100
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
14.5%
123
First-line Supervisors of Personal Care & Service Workers
110
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
23.0%
171
Automotive Service Techs & Mechanics
290
-1.5%
244
Ethanol & Chemical Plant Technicians
120
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
32.3%
109
Food Batchmakers
30
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
10.6%
109
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 in Demand Earning Between $15,000 and $30,000
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
First-line Supervisors of Retail Workers
530
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
2.3%
476
Welders, Cutters, Solderers & Brazers
280
-2.6%
249
Postsecondary voc. award
Machinists
220
1.3%
90
Personal & Home Care Aides
420
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
40.1%
1,929
Bill & Account Collectors
80
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
2.5%
28
Bookkeeping, Acctg., & Auditing Clerks
870
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
5.4%
744
Customer Service Representatives
670
13.6%
879
Shipping, Receiving, & Traffic Clerks
360
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
0.1%
209
Slaughterers & Meat Packers
550
0.8%
761
Medical Assistants
150
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
32.0%
183
Emergency Medical Techs & Paramedics
120
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
9.4%
122
Medical Secretaries
220
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
16.4%
99
Pharmacy Technicians
100
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
29.3%
204
Cooks, Institution & Cafeteria
240
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
3.9%
239
Social & Human Service Assistants
810
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
34.6%
659
First-line Supervisors of Food Preparation Workers (Fast Food & Restaurant)
420
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
1.6%
100
Nursing Aides, Orderlies & Attendants
1,170
7.0%
558
Meat, Poultry & Fish Cutters & Trimmers
240
2.4%
115
General Office Clerks
1,560
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
7.6%
1,402
Farmworkers & Laborers (Crop & Animal)
950
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
4.2%
976
Tellers
250
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
8.5%
561
Janitors, Maids, Housekeeping Cleaners
1,360
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
7.2%
900
Precision Assemblers & Fabricators
(incl. Electrical & Electronic Equip.)
640
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
-24.7%
187
Hairstylists & Cosmetologists
100
3.2%
123
Home Health Aides
1,070
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
37.5%
793
Route Salespersons, Drivers
200
-13.3%
153
Retail Salespersons
1,500
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
8.4%
1,939
Cashiers & Counter & Rental Clerks
2,190
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
-3.2%
2,544
Packers & Packagers, Hand
450
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
-10.4%
164
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

 

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