Top Occupational Openings 2009-2011
Missouri is projected to have more than 150,000 job openings from 2009 to 2011. Job openings are classified as "Growth" or "Replacement."* The 20 occupations with the most projected total openings in the state include six food preparation and serving occupations and three occupations that are sales-related.
Cashiers are projected to have the most openings from 2008 to 2010, though all the openings are projected to be replacements. Registered Nurses, on the other hand, has almost as many openings due to growth as replacements indicating strong future demand in that occupation in the state.
Kansas City is projected to have 32,000 openings by 2010, St. Louis 60,000.
Total Occupational Openings, Statewide
*Job openings: There are two sources of estimated openings. The first, openings due to growth, are the numeric change in jobs expected over the projections period. A second and equally important source of openings are net replacement openings. These openings occur when workers leave the labor force or change occupations. Workers leave the labor force for many reasons including retirement, death or disability, quitting a job to stay home or go to school. Workers also leave occupations after being promoted, changing careers after completing their education or after gaining work experience.
