Which jobs in Idaho are expected to be high-paying?
The Idaho Department of Labor is hoping to answer a question many of you would like to know:which jobs will be high-paying in the next ten years?
The department is predicting pharmacists, registered nurses and physicians will be high-paying and fast-growing,but there are some industries on the list that may surprise you.
“We are also seeing a strong comeback in the construction industry so occupations in welding, plumbing and pipe fitting,” said Chris St. Jeor, economist with the Department of Labor.
St. Jeor also said after the housing bubble popped in 2007, the construction industry took a hard hit. The department is now estimating a growth of 53-percent in the industry from 2012 to 2022. Economists are also predicting a median hourly wage of about $30.
“We fully expect to see an increase in construction not just in residential, but in businesses. In Ammon, you have Cabela’s, Broulim’s and Shopko all coming in,” said St. Jeor.
While some of the jobs on the list require a college degree, other jobs do not.
“There are different opportunities when you embrace a plumbing career. First it takes four years of education where you go through a technical college and you’re able to work as you get your education,” said Steve Winn, plumbing service manager.
Winn works for First Call Jewel in Idaho Falls. He has been working in the industry since 1996.
“When you are in the new construction business you have your ups and downs and when you have longevity with a new construction company you’re less likely to be laid off during the slow periods. When you’re in service work with a good service company you’re always going to have work coming in to provide for your family,” said Winn.
Other high-paying job predictions include software developers, electrical power-line installers, electrical engineers, carpenters and cost-estimators.
The department also came out with a report that shows the top job openings in our area. Right now, those jobs are in health care, retail, truck driving and construction. The department uses past data and trends to come up with the predictions.
