The Five Fastest Growing Occupations Leave Me Nauseated

Posted on August 31st, 2010 by ecthompson md

Median income according to latest statistics is approximately $50,000 per year. (This statistic can vary depending upon how the data is collected and analyzed.) No matter how you slice up the information, the five fastest growing occupations are barely enough to put food on the table, gas in your car and keep the lights on. Only one occupation, registered nurse, has an average starting salary that is anywhere near the median income (about $60,000 by my calculations). The rest of these are far below the median.

From EPI:

While a lack of jobs is arguably the biggest problem facing the labor market, another major concern is the quality of the jobs that are being created. The Figure presents the five fastest growing occupations between 2006 and 2009 and shows that all but one of them pays below the median wage in May 2009 of $15.95 an hour.  The two fastest-growing occupations, home health care and food preparation and serving, pay closer to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour than the median wage. A food preparation worker’s typical wage of $8.28 an hour would earn an annual salary of $16,560, based on a typical 2,000-hour work year: That salary is just below the 2009 poverty threshold for a family of three. Warehouse stock clerks, another fast-growing occupation, would earn slightly more than $20,000 per year.

In addition, three of the five fastest growing occupations – home health aide, medical assistant and registered nurse — are in the health care industry. While registered nurses earn a median wage of more than $30 an hour, the disproportionate growth in health care jobs points to a lack of robust job growth across the labor market. The most recent jobs data show that every industry – with the exception of health care, education, and the government – has fewer jobs today than before the recession began, strong evidence that demand is weak across the entire economy.

Tags: Business, Economy // 2 Comments »

  • Melissa

    As a labor nurse we have seen a dramatic drop in the number of births at our hospital and surrounding hospitals. Our director tells us this is nationwide. Although, living in AZ we have seen a drop as illegal immigrants have fled to other states. At our hospital, the nurses get cancelled once a pay period. New grads are having a hard time finding jobs. I'm glad I'm a nurse, especially a nurse with 6 years of experience. I am definitely at an advantage. The bad thing about being a nurse, as you know I'm sure, is that whether 30 years experience or 6, a nurses income stays the same. That's really a shame in my opinion. There just isn't the opportunity to make more money as a staff nurse.

  • http://www.whereistheoutrage.net/wordpress/about/ EC Thompson, MD

    That's the problem. The pay doesn't increase. you are stuck.

    I appreciate your comments.

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