For example, if you wanted to be a mechanical engineer or a machinist, it would be important for you to know that 16.5 percent of the jobs in Central Minnesota are in the manufacturing industry – especially when you compare that to only 12.5 percent statewide. And, demand for machinists has remained high while employment in manufacturing increased four times as fast in Central Minnesota as the state over the last 3 years. That's a big difference! It increases your chances of finding a job in this area. Likewise, if you wanted to start a career in the health care field, you will be excited to know that the health care and social assistance industry is projected to add nearly 13,000 jobs - a 36.2% growth rate - in the region this decade!

While the 125 occupations featured below are great choices because of their current and future demand in the region, should you limit your occupational choices to this list? No! Choosing a career is a very personal decision and you should still take into consideration all aspects of a career when you’re making a choice, such as educational requirements, annual wages, and your personality style and work values. In fact, the state of Minnesota tracks more than 770 different occupations, many of which are available in Central Minnesota even though they did not make this list of hot jobs. For additional information on how to plan your career and conduct an effective job search, please contact your local Minnesota WorkForce Center.

(Occupational titles and wages are links to ISEEK and DEED career information pages that will open in a new window,
where you can study the career description, wages, work activities, and plan your education)