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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 Annual Wages
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 Paying $50,000 Or More Per Year (Median Annual Wages)
Family & General Practitioners
120
Small
26.7%
117
Dentists
65
Medium
3.1%
36
Pharmacists
90
Small
20.5%
83
Marketing Managers
90
High
21.8%
61
Computer & Info. Systems Managers
110
High
25.6%
92
Financial Managers
260
Small
17.4%
158
Education Administrators
150
Medium
0.0%
110
Industrial Production Managers
140
Small
7.6%
82
Computer Systems Analysts
110
High
44.0%
108
Medical & Health Services Managers
150
Medium
15.4%
108
Physical Therapists
90
High
17.1%
46
Mechanical Engineers
140
Medium
14.3%
40
Industrial Engineers
170
High
20.1%
78
Dental Hygienists
80
High
29.9%
118
Computer Software Engineers
360
High
52.0%
213
General & Operations Managers
750
Small
11.3%
622
Registered Nurses
1,690
High
24.0%
1,141
Market Research Analysts
140
Medium
17.7%
101
Network & Computer Systems Admins.
190
Medium
33.5%
154
Loan Officers
200
High
14.5%
212
Securities, Commodities & Financial Services Sales Representatives
130
High
14.8%
47
Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal & Plastic
120
High
11.3%
85
Construction Managers
290
High
8.1%
235
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 Paying $35,000 to $50,000 Per Year (Median Annual Wages)
Accountants & Auditors
490
High
19.8%
572
First-line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installation, & Repair Workers
240
High
13.2%
273
Purchasing Agents & Buyers (incl. Farm Products & Wholesale Trade)
140
Medium
10.6%
112
Electricians
190
Small
7.5%
221
Radiologic Technologists & Technicians
120
Medium
24.1%
93
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers
320
High
3.4%
283
Water & Liquid Waste Treatment Plant & System Operators
90
High
1.5%
188
Long-term on-the-job training
Elementary & High School Teachers
1,240
Small
0.2%
474
Special Education Teachers
340
Small
6.6%
216
Agricultural & Food Science Technicians
40
Small
29.3%
69
Cost Estimators
110
High
14.9%
115
First-line Supervisors of Production & Operating Workers (Line Managers)
540
High
9.3%
492
First-line Supervisors of Transportation & Material Moving Workers
160
High
10.6%
186
HR, Employment & Training Specialists
140
Small
22.5%
143
Machinists
220
Medium
8.2%
120
Sales Representatives (Mfg. & Services)
640
High
9.4%
435
Boiler Operators & Stationary Engineers
45
Medium
8.0%
43
Office Managers
640
Medium
2.0%
371
Farm Equipment, Truck Mechanics &
Diesel Engine Specialists
150
High
11.8%
203
Rehabilitation Counselors
60
High
28.6%
50
Correctional Officers & Jailers
400
High
11.3%
152
Computer Support Specialists
200
Small
15.0%
83
Laboratory Technicians
90
Small
20.0%
52
Insurance Sales Agents
240
Small
20.7%
317
Heating, Air Cond., & Refrig. Mechanics
40
Small
19.7%
96
Industrial Machinery Mechanics &
Fluid Power Technicians
320
Small
13.6%
266
Construction Equipment Operators
280
Small
19.2%
297
Cement Masons & Concrete Finishers
80
Small
17.5%
76
Bus Drivers, School & Transit
470
Small
-0.4%
270
Licensed Practical Nurses
710
High
6.8%
617
Wind Energy Technicians & Mechanics
125
Medium
100.0%
185
Associate degree
Mixing & Blending Machine Operators
150
High
-1.1%
70
Moderate on-the-job training
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 Paying $25,000 to $35,000 Per Year (Median Annual Wages)
Production, Planning & Expediting Clerks
90
Small
8.1%
92
Truck Drivers, Heavy & Tractor-Trailer
1,520
High
12.7%
1,312
Plumbers, Pipefitters, & Steamfitters
150
Small
16.1%
119
Medical Recs. & Health Info. Technicians
100
Medium
26.8%
121
Welders, Cutters, Solderers & Brazers
280
Small
4.4%
370
Postsecondary voc. award
Ethanol Plant Process Operators
120
Small
NA
120
First-line Supervisors of Personal Care & Service Workers
110
Medium
20.5%
178
Carpenters
570
High
8.0%
583
Packaging & Filling Machine Operators
610
Small
-9.0%
200
Automotive Service Techs & Mechanics
290
High
9.9%
440
Customer Service Representatives
670
High
19.3%
708
Dental Assistants
125
Medium
29.9%
118
General Maintenance & Repair Workers
430
High
7.9%
422
Inspectors & Testers (Quality Control)
250
High
6.8%
260
Medical Transcriptionists
80
High
22.4%
108
Construction Laborers
300
Small
5.4%
139
Shipping, Receiving, & Traffic Clerks
360
Medium
5.4%
239
Laborers and Freight & Stock Movers
850
Small
-1.5%
710
Personal & Home Care Aides
420
High
31.1%
1,771
Bookkeeping, Acctg., & Auditing Clerks
870
Small
1.0%
662
Slaughterers & Meat Packers
550
High
18.6%
328
Medical Assistants
150
Small
44.0%
179
Precision Assemblers & Fabricators (incl. Electrical & Electronic Equip.)
640
Small
8.2%
723
Emergency Medical Techs & Paramedics
120
High
22.1%
204
Pharmacy Technicians
100
Medium
25.6%
94
Fiberglass Laminators & Fabricators
160
High
-4.1%
40
Social & Human Service Assistants
810
High
28.1%
312
First-line Supervisors of Food Preparation Workers (Fast Food & Restaurant)
420
High
8.6%
409
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 Paying $15,000 to $25,000 Per Year (Median Annual Wages)
Receptionists & Information Clerks
550
High
10.8%
603
Meat, Poultry & Fish Cutters & Trimmers
240
High
20.2%
305
Nursing Aides, Orderlies & Attendants
1,170
High
10.9%
974