In-Demand Occupations

In-Demand Occupations

Approved and Published: August 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this item is to make a determination of the occupations that have a substantial current or potential impact on the economy of Central Oklahoma.

Authority

The authority to make this determination is explicitly stated in Section 3(23)(B) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA):

• DETERMINATION. — The determination of whether an industry sector or occupation is in- demand under this paragraph shall be made by the State board or local board, as appropriate, using State and regional business and labor market projections, including the use of labor market information.

Background

The definition of the term “in-demand occupation” is given in Section 3(23) of WIOA:

• IN-DEMAND INDUSTRY SECTOR OR OCCUPATION. —IN GENERAL. — The term ‘‘in-demand industry sector or occupation’’ means—an industry sector that has a substantial current or potential impact (including through jobs that lead to economic self-sufficiency and opportunities for advancement) on the State, regional, or local economy, as appropriate, and that contributes to the growth or stability of other supporting businesses, or the growth of other industry sectors; oran occupation that currently has or is projected to have a number of positions (including positions that lead to economic self-sufficiency and opportunities for advancement) in an industry sector so as to have a significant impact on the State, regional, or local economy, as appropriate.

There are several reasons why it is important to properly determine the in-demand occupations for a local workforce area. For example:

First, Section 107(b)(2) of WIOA requires that the business members of the local workforce development board must represent businesses that “provide employment opportunities… in in-demand industry sectors or occupations in the local area.” Therefore, it is important to determine the in-demand occupations in the local area in order to assure compliance with the board composition requirements of WIOA.

Second, in using funds for Youth Workforce Investment Activities, the local workforce development board is required to support activities that provide “effective connections to employers… in in-demand industry sectors and occupations of the local and regional labor markets.” (Reference WIOA Sec. 129(c)(1)(C)(v))

Third, pursuant to WIOA Sec. 134(c)(3)(F)(v), when Adults and Dislocated Worker participants are contemplating the selection of a program of occupational skills training, the law requires that, “Priority consideration shall, consistent with clause (i), be given to programs that lead to recognized postsecondary credentials that are aligned with in-demand industry sectors or occupations in the local area involved.”

Fourth, pursuant to WIOA Sec. 134(c)(3)(G)(ii)(V)(aa), some special types of occupational skills training may be provided “if… the local board determines that… it would be most appropriate to award a contract… in order to facilitate the training of multiple individuals in in-demand industry sectors or occupations…”

Fifth, when Individual Training Accounts are used to support occupational skills training for a WIOA Title I participant, WIOA Section 134(c)(3)(G)(iii) requires that the training services “…be directly linked to an in-demand industry sector or occupation in the local area or the planning region, or in another area to which an adult or dislocated worker receiving such services is willing to relocate, except that a local board may approve training services for occupations determined by the local board to be in sectors of the economy that have a high potential for sustained demand or growth in the local area.”

Additional Background

The 2024 WIOA State Plan provides a description of the industries and occupations for which there is existing demand in the Central planning region. Here is an excerpt:

To achieve the ambitious goals that have been set by the Governor’s Cabinet, workforce partners must align their efforts and take active roles in ensuring resources are used in ways that maximize, strengthen, and support the education-to-workforce pipeline for all Oklahomans. Underpinning all Oklahoma Works efforts are the five Industry Clusters (Aerospace and Defense, Agriculture and Biosciences, Energy, Information and Financial Services, and Transportation and Distribution), and 100 Critical Occupations within these ecosystems (growth and demand occupations). These foundational pieces are utilized by state and local economic development and tie partner initiatives together in an aligned, cohesive direction.

NOTE: In the State Plan, the state’s key demand industry sectors are referred to as “industry clusters.”

Determination

Relying on the 2024 WIOA State Plan as well as our own independent review of regional business and labor market projections, the Central Oklahoma Workforce Innovation Board determines that there are over 180 “in-demand occupations” in Central Oklahoma. These occupations have a substantial current or potential impact (including through jobs that lead to economic self-sufficiency and opportunities for advancement) on our regional economy.

Our list of in-demand occupations (Attachment A) is defined in two ways:

• A 6-page list of 188 easily-identifiable in-demand occupations is attached. Each in-demand occupation is identified by a job title as well as an SOC code. For each in-demand occupation, a projection of employment growth (2024 – 2034) is given. A Location Quotient is also indicated. The employment projections are derived from a report prepared by Lightcast (https://lightcast.io/).
• Additionally, COWIB recognizes that an in-demand occupation is any other occupation that:
  • Is related to an in-demand industry sector in our region; and
  • Is projected to have a number of open positions in that industry.

For the purpose of determining whether an occupation is “related to” an in-demand industry sector, we will use the O*Net Online website as a resource for establishing a relationship between an occupation and an industry.

For example, Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators (SOC 53-7051) is not given in our list of in- demand occupations. Even so, we will regard it as an in-demand occupation in Central Oklahoma because, according to the O*Net Online website, Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators is related to the Transportation and Warehousing sector. It is also related to the Manufacturing, Administrative and Support Services, and Wholesale Trade sectors.

See illustration, below.

(Administrative and Support Services, Manufacturing, Transportation and Warehousing, and Wholesale Trade are all recognized as in-demand industry sectors in Central Oklahoma).

This determination will be reviewed periodically and may be updated as needed.

Here is an illustration of how the O*Net Online resource serves to establish a relationship between an occupation (Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators) and an in-demand industry (Administrative and Support Services, Manufacturing, Transportation and Warehousing, or Wholesale Trade):

Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Statement

All Recipients, and Sub-recipients / Sub-grantees must comply with WIOA’s Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination provisions which prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, transgender status, and gender identity), national origin (including limited English proficiency), age, disability, political affiliation or belief, or, for beneficiaries, applicants, and participants only, on the basis of citizenship status or participation in a WIOA Title-I financially assisted program or activity.

Addenda / Revisions

The COWIB Chief Executive Officer is authorized to issue additional instructions, guidance, approvals, and/or forms to further implement the requirements of policy, without making substantive change to the policy, except in situations when a new or updated state and federal guidance is issued.

SOC	Description	2024 Jobs	2034 Jobs	2024 – 2034 Change	2024 – 2034 % Change	Avg. Annual Openings	Avg. Hourly Earnings
11-1021	General and Operations Managers	17,728	19,096	1,368	8%	1,599	$51.60
11-2021	Marketing Managers	820	950	130	16%	83	$59.48
11-2022	Sales Managers	1,421	1,591	170	12%	126	$64.11
11-3021	Computer and Information Systems Managers	1,730	2,013	283	16%	149	$64.84
11-3031	Financial Managers	2,862	3,410	548	19%	266	$64.91
11-3121	Human Resources Managers	756	831	75	10%	67	$57.64
11-9021	Construction Managers	1,956	2,172	216	11%	166	$39.32
11-9031	Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare	393	389	(4)	(1%)	27	$24.52
11-9111	Medical and Health Services Managers	3,116	4,016	900	29%	336	$52.78
11-9151	Social and Community Service Managers	621	723	102	16%	62	$33.98
11-9171	Funeral Home Managers	126	138	11	9%	11	$45.33
13-1041	Compliance Officers	2,356	2,505	148	6%	200	$30.41
13-1071	Human Resources Specialists	4,068	4,477	409	10%	393	$31.79
13-1081	Logisticians	2,806	3,198	393	14%	277	$41.27
13-1082	Project Management Specialists	3,772	4,077	304	8%	303	$43.20
13-1111	Management Analysts	3,217	3,769	552	17%	336	$46.49
13-1151	Training and Development Specialists	2,089	2,301	212	10%	204	$30.86
13-1161	Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists	3,626	4,182	556	15%	408	$32.55
13-1199	Business Operations Specialists, All Other	4,431	4,841	410	9%	437	$43.34
13-2011	Accountants and Auditors	7,397	8,343	945	13%	701	$39.93
13-2051	Financial and Investment Analysts	953	1,068	116	12%	76	$44.23
13-2052	Personal Financial Advisors	804	955	151	19%	69	$77.35
13-2072	Loan Officers	2,200	2,354	154	7%	169	$38.85
15-1211	Computer Systems Analysts	1,592	1,764	172	11%	115	$53.05
15-1212	Information Security Analysts	653	831	178	27%	62	$51.52
15-1231	Computer Network Support Specialists	737	781	44	6%	55	$38.79
15-1232	Computer User Support Specialists	3,796	4,010	214	6%	281	$27.34
15-1241	Computer Network Architects	714	711	(3)	(0%)	39	$52.99
15-1244	Network and Computer Systems Administrators	1,178	1,236	58	5%	73	$43.71
15-1251	Computer Programmers	741	664	(77)	(10%)	43	$59.51
15-1252	Software Developers	4,371	5,450	1,079	25%	369	$54.36
15-1253	Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers	760	899	139	18%	65	$35.82
15-1254	Web Developers	291	335	44	15%	24	$41.39
15-1255	Web and Digital Interface Designers	280	337	57	20%	27	$32.86
15-1299	Computer Occupations, All Other	1,860	2,149	289	16%	154	$45.17
15-2031	Operations Research Analysts	1,352	1,535	183	14%	105	$39.75
15-2051	Data Scientists	1,072	1,365	293	27%	101	$46.16
17-1022	Surveyors	402	409	8	2%	26	$32.21
17-2011	Aerospace Engineers	869	994	124	14%	61	$53.72
17-2041	Chemical Engineers	48	53	6	12%	3	$57.44
17-2051	Civil Engineers	1,004	1,081	77	8%	68	$51.32
17-2061	Computer Hardware Engineers	123	134	11	9%	8	$59.10
17-2071	Electrical Engineers	745	799	54	7%	47	$49.68
17-2112	Industrial Engineers	738	901	163	22%	62	$45.92
17-2141	Mechanical Engineers	811	934	122	15%	60	$43.99
17-3021	Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians	47	60	13	28%	6	$42.42
17-3022	Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians	252	258	6	2%	24	$30.56
17-3026	Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians	463	486	23	5%	45	$35.81
19-1022	Microbiologists	50	55	4	8%	4	$32.44
19-4021	Biological Technicians	239	256	17	7%	32	$22.11
19-4044	Hydrologic Technicians	47	47	1	2%	5	$29.92
19-5011	Occupational Health and Safety Specialists	574	651	77	13%	72	$38.30
21-1021	Child, Family, and School Social Workers	2,013	2,180	167	8%	177	$21.06
21-1029	Social Workers, All Other	247	273	26	10%	23	$42.89
21-1094	Community Health Workers	198	242	44	22%	26	$24.06
23-2011	Paralegals and Legal Assistants	1,316	1,425	109	8%	150	$28.38
25-2011	Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education	2,967	3,146	179	6%	342	$17.83
25-2012	Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education	587	649	62	11%	71	$23.38
25-2021	Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education	5,355	5,995	640	12%	441	$24.75
25-2022	Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	2,375	2,661	285	12%	196	$24.69
25-2031	Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	7,968	8,685	716	9%	582	$27.89
25-2032	Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School	271	311	40	15%	22	$27.56
25-2051	Special Education Teachers, Preschool	68	77	9	13%	6	$24.36
25-2052	Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School	541	610	69	13%	46	$25.17
25-2057	Special Education Teachers, Middle School	177	202	25	14%	15	$25.12
25-2058	Special Education Teachers, Secondary School	762	851	88	12%	63	$30.64
25-2059	Special Education Teachers, All Other	82	108	26	32%	9	$36.05
25-3099	Teachers and Instructors, All Other	357	397	39	11%	50	$32.89
25-9044	Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary	1,522	1,250	(272)	(18%)	166	$19.36
25-9045	Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary	4,502	4,992	490	11%	603	$13.66
25-9099	Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other	208	248	40	19%	24	$21.36
27-1013	Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators	355	454	99	28%	48	$15.23
27-1014	Special Effects Artists and Animators	123	142	20	16%	14	$24.50
27-1024	Graphic Designers	1,038	1,086	48	5%	91	$25.69
27-1027	Set and Exhibit Designers	56	56	(1)	(1%)	5	$25.44
27-2012	Producers and Directors	403	413	10	3%	36	$32.26
27-2041	Music Directors and Composers	282	309	27	9%	32	$32.95
27-3043	Writers and Authors	589	681	92	16%	71	$27.63
27-3091	Interpreters and Translators	280	311	31	11%	32	$27.59
27-3092	Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners	80	95	16	20%	10	$29.19
27-4011	Audio and Video Technicians	336	369	34	10%	35	$24.39
27-4014	Sound Engineering Technicians	74	76	2	3%	7	$37.64
27-4015	Lighting Technicians	39	41	2	6%	4	$34.42
27-4031	Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film	112	111	(1)	(1%)	10	$24.27
27-4032	Film and Video Editors	135	148	13	10%	13	$30.03
27-4099	Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other	64	68	5	7%	6	$43.17
29-1031	Dietitians and Nutritionists	348	416	68	20%	31	$33.31
29-1124	Radiation Therapists	113	126	13	12%	6	$42.58
29-1126	Respiratory Therapists	831	1,022	191	23%	65	$34.63
29-1141	Registered Nurses	15,001	17,520	2,519	17%	1,133	$39.36
29-1292	Dental Hygienists	1,061	1,250	189	18%	95	$45.25
29-2018	Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians	2,515	2,802	286	11%	197	$27.11
29-2031	Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians	368	427	59	16%	30	$32.95
29-2032	Diagnostic Medical Sonographers	469	584	115	25%	38	$39.61
29-2033	Nuclear Medicine Technologists	103	117	14	14%	6	$41.58
29-2034	Radiologic Technologists and Technicians	1,594	1,813	219	14%	111	$33.91
29-2035	Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists	219	260	41	19%	17	$40.60
29-2042	Emergency Medical Technicians	520	634	114	22%	52	$17.00
29-2043	Paramedics	564	637	73	13%	35	$25.26
29-2052	Pharmacy Technicians	2,027	2,319	292	14%	223	$18.60
29-2053	Psychiatric Technicians	755	904	148	20%	83	$16.92
29-2055	Surgical Technologists	1,078	1,219	140	13%	82	$27.76
29-2056	Veterinary Technologists and Technicians	361	463	102	28%	48	$18.15
29-2057	Ophthalmic Medical Technicians	300	364	64	21%	42	$18.07
29-2061	Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses	4,221	4,614	393	9%	376	$25.14
29-2072	Medical Records Specialists	985	1,136	151	15%	85	$24.89
29-2081	Opticians, Dispensing	354	404	49	14%	37	$17.46
29-2099	Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other	645	768	123	19%	59	$22.50
29-9021	Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars	301	362	60	20%	26	$23.46
29-9093	Surgical Assistants	139	161	22	16%	11	$19.03
29-9099	Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other	117	145	28	24%	11	$33.49
31-1128	Home Health and Personal Care Aides	9,052	10,950	1,898	21%	1,665	$13.02
31-1131	Nursing Assistants	6,368	7,263	895	14%	1,059	$16.28
31-2011	Occupational Therapy Assistants	326	395	69	21%	56	$31.88
31-2021	Physical Therapist Assistants	662	817	155	23%	116	$29.88
31-9011	Massage Therapists	656	768	112	17%	107	$29.13
31-9091	Dental Assistants	2,073	2,408	335	16%	344	$20.31
31-9092	Medical Assistants	4,547	5,350	804	18%	711	$19.00
31-9094	Medical Transcriptionists	261	328	66	25%	58	$14.78
31-9095	Pharmacy Aides	356	376	20	6%	67	$13.80
31-9096	Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers	854	989	135	16%	192	$16.62
31-9097	Phlebotomists	713	843	130	18%	113	$18.80
33-2011	Firefighters	1,507	1,595	89	6%	126	$35.76
33-3012	Correctional Officers and Jailers	1,071	1,042	(29)	(3%)	91	$23.08
33-3051	Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers	3,074	3,238	164	5%	260	$36.44
33-9032	Security Guards	5,146	5,318	172	3%	714	$17.57
35-1011	Chefs and Head Cooks	723	802	79	11%	98	$19.32
35-2014	Cooks, Restaurant	7,482	9,052	1,571	21%	1,403	$15.60
39-4031	Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers	151	166	15	10%	20	$30.39
39-5091	Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance	20	25	5	27%	4	$71.29
39-9011	Childcare Workers	5,719	5,607	(112)	(2%)	955	$13.31
41-3031	Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents	1,273	1,483	211	17%	123	$38.25
43-3021	Billing and Posting Clerks	1,955	2,130	175	9%	228	$20.82
43-4051	Customer Service Representatives	16,654	17,509	855	5%	2,387	$19.48
43-6013	Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants	4,671	5,272	601	13%	580	$18.72
47-2021	Brickmasons and Blockmasons	268	250	(18)	(7%)	22	$24.75
47-2031	Carpenters	3,540	3,571	31	1%	303	$24.18
47-2061	Construction Laborers	5,783	6,152	369	6%	549	$19.90
47-2111	Electricians	3,413	3,752	339	10%	347	$29.45
47-2121	Glaziers	371	383	12	3%	38	$20.68
47-2151	Pipelayers	170	175	5	3%	14	$26.68
47-2152	Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	2,866	3,107	241	8%	280	$27.19
47-2211	Sheet Metal Workers	2,038	2,100	61	3%	196	$28.90
47-2221	Structural Iron and Steel Workers	315	328	13	4%	29	$24.13
47-3011	Helpers–Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters	45	37	(8)	(17%)	5	$18.68
47-4071	Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners	280	299	19	7%	28	$21.03
49-2021	Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers	46	46	0	1%	5	$24.49
49-2022	Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers	624	614	(11)	(2%)	66	$29.02
49-2091	Avionics Technicians	455	489	33	7%	45	$29.19
49-2094	Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment	451	456	5	1%	39	$31.83
49-2097	Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers	92	92	0	0%	9	$22.49
49-2098	Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers	513	566	53	10%	62	$25.21
49-3011	Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians	3,028	3,166	138	5%	239	$28.72
49-3021	Automotive Body and Related Repairers	1,014	1,056	42	4%	94	$23.03
49-3023	Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics	4,491	4,858	368	8%	432	$23.72
49-3031	Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists	1,370	1,432	62	5%	122	$25.81
49-3042	Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines	1,240	1,365	125	10%	120	$27.47
49-3093	Tire Repairers and Changers	694	732	37	5%	82	$17.10
49-9021	Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers	2,517	2,800	283	11%	251	$26.77
49-9051	Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	577	608	32	5%	49	$32.82
49-9052	Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers	446	452	6	1%	43	$31.21
49-9062	Medical Equipment Repairers	330	394	63	19%	39	$24.43
49-9071	Maintenance and Repair Workers, General	7,403	7,945	542	7%	748	$20.76
49-9081	Wind Turbine Service Technicians	112	150	38	34%	16	$26.84
49-9098	Helpers–Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers	333	373	39	12%	44	$18.19
51-2011	Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers	138	154	17	12%	18	$22.00
51-2041	Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters	253	231	(22)	(9%)	25	$21.11
51-3021	Butchers and Meat Cutters	721	768	47	7%	93	$16.16
51-3022	Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers	110	160	50	46%	21	$15.01
51-3023	Slaughterers and Meat Packers	18	30	12	67%	4	$14.66
51-3092	Food Batchmakers	334	380	46	14%	58	$17.16
51-4041	Machinists	1,198	1,336	139	12%	138	$25.84
51-4121	Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers	2,752	2,922	169	6%	294	$23.99
51-4122	Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	46	47	1	2%	5	$20.67
51-6031	Sewing Machine Operators	388	386	(1)	(0%)	45	$15.02
51-8031	Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators	419	443	24	6%	44	$22.96
51-9124	Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	672	725	53	8%	68	$21.62
51-9161	Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators	783	805	22	3%	75	$22.96
51-9162	Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers	201	240	38	19%	24	$27.65
51-9193	Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders	69	70	2	2%	8	$22.17
53-2021	Air Traffic Controllers	180	191	11	6%	17	$64.47
53-3032	Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	11,031	11,654	624	6%	1,254	$26.17
53-3051	Bus Drivers, School	1,266	1,381	115	9%	213	$17.55
53-3052	Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity	413	474	61	15%	63	$23.26
53-6032	Aircraft Service Attendants	40	43	3	8%	7	$16.84
53-6051	Transportation Inspectors	140	148	8	6%	14	$51.07
53-7021	Crane and Tower Operators	160	167	7	4%	16	$27.66
53-7071	Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators	36	40	4	12%	4	$29.83