Missouri’s Fastest Growing Occupations 2008-2010 Missouri is projected to have more than 155,000 job openings from 2008 to 2010. During this time, the 20 occupations with the fastest projected growth in the state include ten education-related occupations and three health care-related occupations. Home Health Aides are projected to grow the most rapidly, increasing by 6.95 percent from 2008 to 2010. N ineteen of the 20 fastest growing occupations have a Grade A or B outlook in terms of having above average openings, growth and w ages. Out of the top 20 fasted growing list, fifteen occupations are new to the top list, two of which are related to counseling services. (Missouri’s top 20 fastest growing occupations were identified as those with the highest percent change from 2008-2010 with a minimum of ten Average Annual Openings.) 2008 Estimated 2010 Projected Percent Average Annual Average Annual Career Occupation Employment Employment Change Openings Wage Grade Home Health Aides 11,830 12,650 6.95% 498 $19,020 B NEW! Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels 270 290 6.25% 16 $54,500 B Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts 4,910 5,200 6.10% 241 $65,830 A+ NEW! Sailors and Marine Oilers 400 420 5.79% 27 $28,740 B- Pharmacy Technicians 9,560 10,100 5.60% 531 $23,810 B Personal and Home Care Aides 19,870 20,970 5.54% 869 $18,120 B Gaming Surveillance Officers and Gaming Investigators 230 240 5.22% 11 $26,800 D NEW! Marriage and Family Therapists 380 400 5.21% 17 $57,510 B NEW! Curators 240 250 5.08% 17 $50,210 B NEW! Forensic Science Technicians 220 240 4.91% 16 $46,010 B NEW! Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 1,820 1,900 4.79% 71 $60,910 A- NEW! Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary 500 530 4.79% 20 $52,150 B NEW! Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors 1,710 1,790 4.73% 72 $36,520 B+ NEW! Education Teachers, Postsecondary 1,110 1,160 4.59% 43 $58,870 A- NEW! Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary 350 370 4.52% 14 $49,070 B NEW! English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary 1,460 1,530 4.51% 55 $61,360 A- NEW! Graduate Teaching Assistants 1,410 1,470 4.48% 53 $21,280 B- NEW! Communications Teachers, Postsecondary 690 720 4.47% 27 $62,720 A- NEW! Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary 1,080 1,124 4.46% 40 $70,800 A- NEW! Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 6,720 7,020 4.42% 250 $101,740 A+ Data Sources: MERIC Short-term Occupational Projections, MERIC Occupational Employment and Wage Survey, and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Career Grades are assigned by analyzing an occupation’s percent change, total openings, and average wage relative to all other occupations in the state. An occupation’s combination of scores on these three factors determines its grade. MIS.SOIJft.J eCONONlC l'tl!Sl!AltCH ANO INl"Ol'tr.,ATtON Cf'Nll!l't