West Michigan Works! today released its 2025 HotJobs! list, highlighting the top 100+ careers in the region’s high-growth industries. New for 2025, hospitality has been added to the high-demand industries, which include construction and energy, health sciences, information technology, manufacturing, professional and administration and agribusiness. Thirteen occupations span all seven industries: ranging from information security analyst to marketing manager, financial manager, and lawyer.
The HotJobs! list allows job seekers to quickly identify if an occupation meets the criteria for West Michigan Works! training scholarships. The list can also be filtered by, among other qualities, median wage, recommended training and education, and demand.
“HotJobs! is a valuable tool for job seekers looking to enter or advance in high-demand industries,” said Angie Barksdale, COO, West Michigan Works!. “The addition of hospitality reflects the growing opportunities throughout our region, highlighting careers that offer stability, growth, and competitive wages.”
Occupations on the HotJobs! list must show a growth rate of at least 10 percent, a minimum of 50 annual openings, and wages at or above $14.20 per hour in Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, and Ottawa counties.
“By identifying occupations with strong job growth and competitive wages, the HotJobs! list helps job seekers make informed career decisions,” Barksdale said. “It also guides employers and educators in aligning training programs with the needs of West Michigan’s workforce.”
The annual HotJobs! list is used by West Michigan Works! and community partners to guide career exploration, identify existing skills that transfer into high-demand occupations and inform decisions regarding funding occupational training.
West Michigan Works! uses the most recent available wage range data of the 25th-90th percentile for each position. Occupational data is obtained from the analytical program Lightcast and the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget and then vetted through local employers. Find your career path and access the 2025 HotJobs! list or connect with one of our career coaches below.
