The 2024 HotJobs! List
If you’re in the market for a new job, this is the list for you.
The 2024 HotJobs! list can guide you to new employment in a high-demand career. We’ve analyzed online job posting data and surveyed employers to create a list of the 100+ most in-demand jobs in West Michigan. These jobs have a growth rate of over double the regional average and an increased wage range of the 25th to 90th percentile- with only 30 percent of these occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher.
To find the jobs you want, simply select your desired industry from the menu below, filter by qualities like wage or credential or search using the designated box.
Occupations that meet the criteria for West Michigan Works! training scholarships.
Not sure which role is right for you? Explore careers in West Michigan’s high-demand industries.
Construction/Energy
Health Sciences
Information Technology
Manufacturing
Professional and Administration
Agribusiness
CONSTRUCTION/ENERGY
| Video | SOC Title | Job Title | Median Wage (mid-career) | Recommended Training/Education | Demand | Scholarships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 51-7011 Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters |
| $17.06-$27.68 | Apprenticeship | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 47-2152 Plumbers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters |
| $21.87-$41.26 | Apprenticeship and license | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers and Brazers |
| $17.71-$27.97 | Apprenticeship and license, Post secondary nondegree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 49-9052 Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers |
| $22.83-$35.39 | Apprenticeship Long-term OJT | 🔥 | |
| 47-2111 Electricians |
| $20.55-$39.69 | Apprenticeship or technical school and license | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 53-7051 Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators |
| $17.11-$24.54 | Certification, Short-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 49-9099 Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other |
| $17.60-$29.41 | Moderate-term OJT | 🔥 | |
| 37-3011 Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers |
| $14.21-$21.65 | Short-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 47-1011 First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers |
| $27.68-$48.86 | High school diploma and 5+ years work experience | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 47-2061 Construction Laborers |
| $17.74-$28.43 | Short-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 11-9021 Construction Managers |
| $35.45-$74.10 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 11-9041 Architectural and Engineering Managers |
| $51.67-$84.27 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 49-9021 Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers |
| $20.20-$38.42 | Certification & long term OJT, postsecondary non-degree award | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 47-2073 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators |
| $23.52-$36.38 | Certification and Moderate-term OJT | 🔥🔥 | |
| 49-9071 Maintenance and Repair Workers, General |
| $16.51-$29.80 | Certification and Moderate-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 47-2181 Roofers |
| $19.08-$31.66 | Short-term OJT | 🔥🔥 | |
| 15-1212 Information Security Analysts |
| $36.41-$76.59 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
HEALTH SCIENCES
| Video | SOC Title | Job Title | Median Wage (mid-career) | Recommended Training/Education | Demand | Scholarships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31-2022 Physical Therapist Aides |
| $11.54-$17.95 | Associates degree | 🔥🔥 | |
| 21-1091 Health Educators |
| $19.61-$39.12 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥 | |
| 31-9097 Phlebotomists |
| $15.90-$22.42 | Postsecondary non-degree award, License | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 31-9011 Massage Therapists |
| $21.81-$40.29 | License | 🔥🔥 | |
| 11-9111 Medical and Health Services Managers |
| $37.51-$96.59 | Bachelor's degree, license and 5+ years work experience | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 29-1141 Registered Nurses |
| $32.62-$44.36 | Bachelor's degree, Postsecondary nondegree award | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 21-1094 Community Health Workers |
| $18.31-$31.94 | Certification | 🔥🔥 | |
| 31-9092 Medical Assistants |
| $16.58-$21.64 | Certification | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 29-1126 Respiratory Therapists |
| $26.91-$37.43 | Associates degree and license | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 29-2056 Veterinary Technologists and Technicians |
| $16.93-$23.17 | Associate's degree, Postsecondary nondegree award | 🔥🔥 | |
| 29-1123 Physical Therapists |
| $37.66-$49.23 | Doctoral degree and license | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 29-2053 Psychiatric Technicians |
| $15.32-$19.60 | Postsecondary nondegree award | 🔥 | |
| 31-1131 Nursing Assistants |
| $15.67-$19.00 | Postsecondary nondegree award | 🔥🔥 | |
| 21-1093 Social and Human Service Assistants |
| $14.62-$26.24 | High school diploma or equivalent | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 31-9099 Healthcare Support Workers, All Other |
| $14.69-$22.12 | High school diploma or equivalent | 🔥 | |
| 29-1127 Speech-Language Pathologists |
| $33.12-$47.30 | Master's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 21-1022 Healthcare Social Workers |
| $23.91-$36.81 | Master's degree and license or limited license | 🔥🔥 | |
| 21-1023 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers |
| $19.46-$38.20 | Master's degree and license | 🔥🔥 | |
| 29-1071 Physician Assistants |
| $50.27-$68.88 | Master's degree and license | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 29-1122 Occupational Therapists |
| $35.86-$45.92 | Master's degree and license | 🔥🔥 | |
| 29-1171 Nurse Practitioners |
| $48.41-$64.65 | Master's degree and license | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 31-2021 Physical Therapist Assistants |
| $23.78-$32.85 | Associates degree and license | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 15-1213 Information Security Analysts |
| $36.41-$76.59 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
| Video | SOC Title | Job Title | Median Wage (mid-career) | Recommended Training/Education | Demand | Scholarships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15-1256 Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers |
| $34.85-$63.61 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 11-3021 Computer and Information Systems Managers |
| $49.14-$94.01 | Bachelor's degree and 10+ years work experience | 🔥🔥 | |
| 15-1257 Web Developers and Digital Interface Designers |
| $29.45-$55.74 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥 | |
| 15-1212 Information Security Analysts |
| $36.41-$76.59 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
Manufacturing
| Video | SOC Title | Job Title | Median Wage (mid-career) | Recommended Training/Education | Demand | Scholarships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11-1021 General and Operations Managers |
| $29.27-$98.59 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 51-1011 First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers |
| $23.49-$42.62 | High school diploma and 5+ years work experience | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 49-9041 Industrial Machinery Mechanics |
| $22.97-$35.34 | Apprenticship | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 17-2112 Industrial Engineers |
| $36.00-$57.87 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 11-3051 Industrial Production Managers |
| $39.61-$76.45 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 11-3071 Transportation, Storage and Distribution Managers |
| $34.58-$75.81 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | 🔥🔥 | |
| 17-3026 Industrial Engineering Technicians |
| $22.51-$39.77 | Associate's degree | 🔥 | |
| 51-9195 Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic |
| $15.13-$25.63 | High school diploma or equivalent | 🔥🔥 | |
| 27-1021 Commercial and Industrial Designers |
| $26.83-$54.37 | Certification and 5+ years experience | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 51-2022 Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers and Finishers |
| $15.38-$23.89 | Moderate-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 51-4041 Machinists |
| $17.26-$30.02 | Certification and Moderate-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 51-9162 Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers |
| $23.52-$36.94 | Postsecondary nondegree award, moderate-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 51-4072 Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic |
| $15.48-$23.26 | Moderate-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 51-4081 Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic |
| $14.95-$22.76 | Moderate-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 51-7041 Sawing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders, Wood |
| $15.55-$24.01 | Moderate-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 51-7042 Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders, Except Sawing |
| $16.33-$24.38 | Moderate-term OJT | 🔥🔥 | |
| 51-9032 Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders |
| $17.32-$23.40 | Moderate-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 51-9041 Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders |
| $18.74-$28.41 | Moderate-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 51-9111 Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders |
| $16.73-$24.18 | Moderate-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 51-9124 Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders |
| $16.81-$24.23 | Moderate-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 53-7065 Stockers and Order Fillers |
| $13.86-$21.18 | Short-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 51-9199 Production Workers, All Other |
| $14.69-$19.40 | Moderate-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 53-7062 Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand |
| $12.84-$22.52 | Short-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 53-7064 Packers and Packagers, Hand |
| $13.90-$18.13 | Short-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 15-1212 Information Security Analysts |
| $36.41-$76.59 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
Professional and Administration
| Video | SOC Title | Job Title | Median Wage (mid-career) | Recommended Training/Education | Demand | Scholarships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35-1011 Chefs and Head Cooks |
| $21.67-$31.74 | Associates degree and certification | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 23-2011 Paralegals and Legal Assistants |
| $21.13-$37.73 | Associates degree, certification | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 49-3042 Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines |
| $22.91-$35.57 | Apprenticeship and/or post secondary nondegree, Long-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 11-3121 Human Resources Managers |
| $40.25-$82.34 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥 | |
| 13-1071 Human Resources Specialists |
| $22.88-$45.51 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 13-1081 Logisticians |
| $25.27-$51.24 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 13-1111 Management Analysts |
| $29.79-$63.21 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 13-1121 Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners |
| $16.12-$34.92 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 13-1131 Fundraisers |
| $21.80-$40.65 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥 | |
| 13-1151 Training and Development Specialists |
| $21.96-$45.21 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 13-1161 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists |
| $22.12-$48.75 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 13-1082 Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other |
| $31.03-$62.05 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 13-2011 Accountants and Auditors |
| $27.47-$49.27 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 13-2098 Financial and Investment Analysts, Financial Risk Specialists, and Financial Specialists, All Other |
| $26.63-$56.32 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥 | |
| 17-2071 Electrical Engineers |
| $34.67-$61.57 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥 | |
| 17-2141 Mechanical Engineers |
| $35.66-$58.92 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 21-1018 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder and Mental Health Counselors |
| $18.46-$34.60 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 27-1011 Art Directors |
| $31.34-$61.61 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥 | |
| 27-3043 Writers and Authors |
| $19.51-$43.38 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥 | |
| 11-2021 Marketing Managers |
| $42.83-$100.60 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 11-2022 Sales Managers |
| $40.87-$98.85 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | 🔥🔥 | |
| 11-3010 Administrative Services and Facilities Managers |
| $36.91-$75.20 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | 🔥🔥 | |
| 11-3031 Financial Managers |
| $46.16-$101.50 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 11-9151 Social and Community Service Managers |
| $29.74-$46.56 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | 🔥🔥 | |
| 25-3097 Teachers and Instructors, All Other, Except Substitute Teachers |
| $18.40-$37.92 | Bachelor's degree and license | 🔥🔥 | |
| 41-3021 Insurance Sales Agents |
| $21.90-$64.35 | Bachelor's degree and license | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 49-3031 Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists |
| $20.85-$30.06 | Certification and Long-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 53-3032 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers |
| $21.68-$30.92 | Commerical driver's license, postsecondary non-degree award | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 23-1011 Lawyers |
| $40.76-$100.74 | Doctoral degree and license | 🔥🔥 | |
| 11-9051 Food Service Managers |
| $22.52-$38.90 | High school diploma and 5+ years work experience | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 35-1012 First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers |
| $14.96-$27.76 | High school diploma and 5+ years work experience | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 43-9199 Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other |
| $15.75-$28.94 | High school diploma or equivalent, short-term OJT | 🔥🔥 | |
| 43-9041 Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks |
| $17.72-$28.05 | High school diploma, moderate-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 51-3021 Butchers and Meat Cutters |
| $14.97-$23.14 | Long-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 25-1121 Art, Drama, Music, and English language Teachers, Post Secondary |
| $21.39-$63.00 | Master's degree | 🔥 | |
| 11-9033 Education Administrators, Postsecondary |
| $31.83-$81.61 | Master's degree and 5+ years work experience | 🔥🔥 | |
| 21-1021 Child, Family and School Social Workers |
| $20.14-$33.40 | Master's degree and license or limited license | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 27-4021 Photographers |
| $15.89-$29.33 | Moderate-term OJT | 🔥 | |
| 35-2014 Cooks, Restaurant |
| $13.98-$18.96 | Moderate-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 41-9099 Sales Representative, whole sale, manufacturing and services. |
| $21.50-$56.92 | Moderate-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 43-4061 Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs |
| $25.43-$29.05 | Moderate-term OJT | 🔥 | |
| 53-3031 Driver/Sales Workers |
| $11.66-$30.33 | Short-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 43-5061 Production, Planning and Expediting Clerks |
| $18.29-$35.73 | Moderate-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 15-1212 Information Security Analysts |
| $36.41-$76.59 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
Agribusiness
| Video | SOC Title | Job Title | Median Wage (mid-career) | Recommended Training/Education | Demand | Scholarships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47-2152 Plumbers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters |
| $21.87-$41.26 | Short-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 47-2111 Electricians |
| $20.55-$39.69 | Apprenticeship or technical school and license | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 53-7051 Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators |
| $17.11-$24.54 | High school diploma and 5+ years work experince | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 49-9099 Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other |
| $17.60-$29.41 | Commercial driver's license, postsecondary non-degree award | 🔥 | |
| 37-3011 Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers |
| $14.21-$21.65 | Short-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 47-1011 First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers |
| $27.68-$48.86 | Certification and moderate-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 47-2061 Construction Laborers |
| $17.74-$28.43 | Apprenticeship and license | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 49-9021 Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers |
| $20.20-$38.42 | Certification and long-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 47-2073 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators |
| $23.52-$36.38 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | 🔥🔥 | |
| 49-9071 Maintenance and Repair Workers, General |
| $16.51-$29.80 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 29-2056 Veterinary Technologists and Technicians |
| $16.93-$23.17 | Certification and moderate-term OJT | 🔥🔥 | |
| 11-1021 General and Operations Managers |
| $29.27-$98.59 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 51-1011 First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers |
| $23.49-$42.62 | High school diploma or equivalent | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 49-9041 Industrial Machinery Mechanics |
| $22.97-$35.34 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 17-2112 Industrial Engineers |
| $36.00-$57.87 | High school diploma and moderate-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 11-3051 Industrial Production Managers |
| $39.61-$76.45 | Associate degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 11-3071 Transportation, Storage and Distribution Managers |
| $34.58-$75.81 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥 | |
| 17-3026 Industrial Engineering Technicians |
| $22.51-$39.77 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | 🔥 | |
| 51-9195 Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic |
| $15.13-$25.63 | Associate degree and certification | 🔥🔥 | |
| 51-9032 Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders |
| $17.32-$23.40 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥 | |
| 51-9041 Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders |
| $18.74-$28.41 | High school diploma and 5+ years work experince | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 51-9111 Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders |
| $16.73-$24.18 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 51-9199 Production Workers, All Other |
| $14.69-$19.40 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 53-7062 Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand |
| $12.84-$22.52 | High school diploma and moderate-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 53-7064 Packers and Packagers, Hand |
| $13.90-$18.13 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 49-3042 Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines |
| $22.91-$35.57 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 11-3121 Human Resources Managers |
| $40.25-$82.34 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥 | |
| 13-1071 Human Resources Specialists |
| $22.88-$45.51 | High school diploma and moderate-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 13-1081 Logisticians |
| $25.27-$51.24 | Apprenticeship or technical school and license | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 13-1151 Training and Development Specialists |
| $21.96-$45.21 | Commercial driver's license, postsecondary non-degree award | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 13-1161 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists |
| $22.12-$48.75 | Certification and moderate-term OJT | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 13-1198 Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other |
| $31.03-$62.05 | Statistical Analyst, Statistical Consultant | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 13-2011 Accountants and Auditors |
| $27.47-$49.27 | Helper, Material Handler | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 17-2071 Electrical Engineers |
| $34.67-$61.57 | Engineer, Facilities Engineer | 🔥🔥 | |
| 17-2141 Mechanical Engineers |
| $35.66-$58.92 | Machine Adjuster, Machine Mechanic | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 11-3010 Administrative Services and Facilities Managers |
| $36.91-$75.20 | Area Plant Manager, Assembly Manager | 🔥🔥 | |
| 49-3031 Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists |
| $20.85-$30.06 | Building Mechanic, Equipment Engineering Technician | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 53-3032 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers |
| $21.68-$30.92 | Application Engineer, Design Engineer | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 43-9199 Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other |
| $15.75-$28.94 | Garbage collector, Recycle Driver | 🔥🔥 | |
| 51-3021 Butchers and Meat Cutters |
| $14.97-$23.14 | Assembly Supervisor, Line Supervisor | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 53-3031 Driver/Sales Workers |
| $11.66-$30.33 | Mechanic Repair Helper; Mechanic's Assistant | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 43-5061 Production, Planning and Expediting Clerks |
| $18.29-$35.73 | High school diploma or equivalent | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
| 15-1212 Information Security Analysts |
| $36.41-$76.59 | Bachelor's degree | 🔥🔥🔥 | |
Key
- SOC Title: Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) title used to classify workers for the purpose of collecting, calculating or disseminating data. The titles in this report represent one or more detailed occupations; in some cases occupations with similar job duties, skills, education and training are grouped together.
- Job Title: Local in-demand jobs that fall within the Standard Occupational Classification. These are the job titles used by West Michigan employers; job seekers can use the titles as a guide when searching for specific jobs.
- Median Wage: Median wages tend to align with an employee that is mid-career, not entry level.
- Recommended Credential: Training or preparation that local employers prefer that job seekers possess prior to employment in the field.
- OJT (On-the-job training): Training or preparation received while working to learn the skills needed for that occupation (short-term: 1 month or less, moderate-term: between 1-12 months, long-term: more than 12 months).
METHODOLOGY
DATA COLLECTION
Occupational data was obtained from from the analytical program, Lightcast and the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Data and employer feedback were used to determine the industry focus for our region: manufacturing, health sciences, information technology, construction and energy, professional services and agribusiness.
CRITERIA FOR INCLUSION
Occupations on the Hot Jobs List must show a growth rate of at least 10 percent growth (higher than state and region averages); at least 50 annual openings; and wages at or above $14.30. The list was presented to West Michigan Works! staff and employers within the region’s industry talent councils for
anecdotal feedback and insight into hiring needs.
SOURCES
Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget, milmi.org.
Lightcast, lightcast.io.
O*Net O*NET OnLine. National Center for O*NET Development, onetonline.org.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, bls.gov/data
