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Yahoo Finance Plus The Most Wanted Jobs in Every State
Supply and demand is a basic economic principle that applies to almost any type of market, and the labor market is no exception. Simply put, you could be the best mime who ever lived, but you’re probably not going to pull down as much as an average NBA player. If the demand doesn’t exist for your particular skill set, it’s unlikely that employers will offer as much in salary or benefits — especially when they need those resources to attract top candidates in other fields where they’re scrambling to fill openings. And that’s something you definitely need to keep in mind when considering a profession. Sure, it’s a consideration alongside things like your personal passion or abilities, but it’s one you shouldn’t overlook lest you end up working too hard for too little for years to come.
That’s why GOBankingRates used data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to conduct a study of the most in-demand professions in each state. By pairing the projected growth rate of positions in that state with the average annual salary for the position, the study whittled it down to the one job in each state that’s currently growing the fastest and paying the most. That combination means that each of these positions isn’t just one where there’s a lot of new openings, but one where employers are also throwing more money into snapping up the best candidates.
So, here’s a closer look at the most wanted job in every state, ranked by how each state’s most wanted job ranks compared to those elsewhere.
Last updated: Sept. 1, 2020
50. Alabama
Most wanted job: Information security analyst
Average annual salary: $92,500
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 37.2%
Number of jobs in 2018: 112,300
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
49. Oklahoma
Most wanted job: Home health aide
Average annual salary: $23,380
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 36.8%
Number of jobs in 2018: 3,253,000
Typical entry-level education: High school or equivalent
48. Maryland
Most wanted job: Photographer
Average annual salary: $39,640
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 75.3%
Number of jobs in 2018: 132,100
Typical entry-level education: High school or equivalent
47. Idaho
Most wanted job: Respiratory therapist
Average annual salary: $57,700
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 51.7%
Number of jobs in 2018: 134,000
Typical entry-level education: Associate’s degree
46. South Dakota
Most wanted job: Software developer, applications
Average annual salary: $75,000
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 29.1%
Number of jobs in 2018: 1,365,504
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
45. Hawaii
Most wanted job: Software developer, applications
Average annual salary: $84,340
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 27.7%
Number of jobs in 2018: 1,365,500
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
44. Mississippi
Most wanted job: Software developer, applications
Average annual salary: $85,470
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 27.8%
Number of jobs in 2018: 1,365,502
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
43. Kansas
Most wanted job: Information security analyst
Average annual salary: $86,160
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 30.3%
Number of jobs in 2018: 112,300
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
42. Pennsylvania
Most wanted job: Statistician
Average annual salary: $85,180
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 33.1%
Number of jobs in 2018: 47,300
Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree
41. Colorado
Most wanted job: Interpreter and translator
Average annual salary: $70,050
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 54.1%
Number of jobs in 2018: 76,100
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
40. North Dakota
Most wanted job: Rotary drill operator, oil and gas
Average annual salary: $66,440
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 60.0%
Number of jobs in 2018: 19,300
Typical entry-level education: None
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39. Iowa
Most wanted job: Operations research analyst
Average annual salary: $81,990
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 39.7%
Number of jobs in 2018: 109,700
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
38. Nebraska
Most wanted job: Information security analyst
Average annual salary: $84,540
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 38.2%
Number of jobs in 2018: 112,300
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
37. Wisconsin
Most wanted job: Veterinarian
Average annual salary: $90,120
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 34.4%
Number of jobs in 2018: 84,500
Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree
36. Vermont
Most wanted job: Software developer, applications
Average annual salary: $97,720
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 25.5%
Number of jobs in 2018: 1,365,507
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
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35. Rhode Island
Most wanted job: Software developer, applications
Average annual salary: $96,850
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 28.4%
Number of jobs in 2018: 1,365,503
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
34. Missouri
Most wanted job: Information security analyst
Average annual salary: $91,210
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 41.9%
Number of jobs in 2018: 112,300
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
33. Kentucky
Most wanted job: Nurse practitioner
Average annual salary: $99,790
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 32.8%
Number of jobs in 2018: 240,700
Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree
32. Minnesota
Most wanted job: Statistician
Average annual salary: $95,930
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 39.8%
Number of jobs in 2018: 47,300
Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree
31. West Virginia
Most wanted job: Nurse practitioner
Average annual salary: $100,690
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 33.6%
Number of jobs in 2018: 240,700
Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree
30. New York
Most wanted job: Solar photovoltaic installer
Average annual salary: $48,630
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 104.8%
Number of jobs in 2018: 9,702
Typical entry-level education: High school or equivalent
29. Tennessee
Most wanted job: Software developer, applications
Average annual salary: $87,630
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 52.5%
Number of jobs in 2018: 1,365,505
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
28. Ohio
Most wanted job: Physician assistant
Average annual salary: $105,410
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 30.9%
Number of jobs in 2018: 118,800
Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree
27. Arkansas
Most wanted job: Physician assistant
Average annual salary: $99,280
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 39.3%
Number of jobs in 2018: 118,800
Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree
26. Louisiana
Most wanted job: Software developer, applications
Average annual salary: $81,640
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 63.8%
Number of jobs in 2018: 1,365,501
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
25. Connecticut
Most wanted job: Statistician
Average annual salary: $101,820
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 37.0%
Number of jobs in 2018: 47,300
Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree
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24. New Jersey
Most wanted job: Solar photovoltaic installer
Average annual salary: $55,140
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 101.1%
Number of jobs in 2018: 9,701
Typical entry-level education: High school or equivalent
23. Montana
Most wanted job: Nurse practitioner
Average annual salary: $103,510
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 37.3%
Number of jobs in 2018: 240,700
Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree
22. Maine
Most wanted job: Physician assistant
Average annual salary: $110,030
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 28.9%
Number of jobs in 2018: 118,800
Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree
21. Alaska
Most wanted job: Dental hygienist
Average annual salary: $114,320
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 23.4%
Number of jobs in 2018: 219,800
Typical entry-level education: Associate’s degree
20. Indiana
Most wanted job: Nurse practitioner
Average annual salary: $103,200
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 38.7%
Number of jobs in 2018: 240,700
Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree
19. North Carolina
Most wanted job: Statistician
Average annual salary: $101,010
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 42.0%
Number of jobs in 2018: 47,300
Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree
18. New Mexico
Most wanted job: Information security analyst
Average annual salary: $106,360
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 36.8%
Number of jobs in 2018: 112,300
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
17. South Carolina
Most wanted job: Physician assistant
Average annual salary: $103,710
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 40.5%
Number of jobs in 2018: 118,800
Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree
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16. Illinois
Most wanted job: Nurse practitioner
Average annual salary: $105,800
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 38.3%
Number of jobs in 2018: 240,700
Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree
15. Georgia
Most wanted job: Physician assistant
Average annual salary: $103,190
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 42.9%
Number of jobs in 2018: 118,800
Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree
14. Massachusetts
Most wanted job: Statistician
Average annual salary: $108,670
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 36.2%
Number of jobs in 2018: 47,300
Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree
13. Texas
Most wanted job: Wind turbine service technician
Average annual salary: $55,340
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 109.1%
Number of jobs in 2018: 6,600
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award
12. Virginia
Most wanted job: Nurse practitioner
Average annual salary: $105,170
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 43.7%
Number of jobs in 2018: 240,700
Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree
11. New Hampshire
Most wanted job: Physician assistant
Average annual salary: $111,080
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 36.1%
Number of jobs in 2018: 118,801
Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree
10. Michigan
Most wanted job: Physician assistant
Average annual salary: $110,240
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 37.7%
Number of jobs in 2018: 118,800
Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree
9. Oregon
Most wanted job: Physician assistant
Average annual salary: $113,570
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 38.6%
Number of jobs in 2018: 118,800
Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree
8. California
Most wanted job: Solar photovoltaic installer
Average annual salary: $46,390
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 130.6%
Number of jobs in 2018: 9,700
Typical entry-level education: High school or equivalent
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7. Florida
Most wanted job: Physician assistant
Average annual salary: $105,930
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 49.5%
Number of jobs in 2018: 118,800
Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree
6. Delaware
Most wanted job: Personal financial advisor
Average annual salary: $126,880
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 31.8%
Number of jobs in 2018: 271,700
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
5. Wyoming
Most wanted job: Petroleum engineer
Average annual salary: $115,250
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 49.1%
Number of jobs in 2018: 33,500
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
4. Utah
Most wanted job: Software developer, applications
Average annual salary: $99,070
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 71.4%
Number of jobs in 2018: 1,365,506
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
3. Arizona
Most wanted job: Nurse practitioner
Average annual salary: $110,750
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 57.7%
Number of jobs in 2018: 240,700
Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree
2. Nevada
Most wanted job: Electrical and electronic equipment assembler
Average annual salary: $32,990
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 207.5%
Number of jobs in 2018: 1,868,100
Typical entry-level education: High school or equivalent
1. Washington
Most wanted job: Marketing manager
Average annual salary: $155,580
Projected job growth from 2006-2026: 67.8%
Number of jobs in 2018: 286,800
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
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Methodology: For every state, GOBankingRates found the 10 occupations with the highest projected growth rate between 2016 and 2026, according to Projections Central (funded by the U.S. Department of Labor). To screen out niche occupations, GOBankingRates excluded all occupations with fewer than 500 employed in 2016. Then, each occupation was scored against the others in its state on its: 1) projected growth rate and 2) average annual wage as of May 2018, according to the BLS. Each occupation was then assigned a total score (the sum of its score in the two categories above). The “most wanted” job in each state was determined to be the occupation with the best total score. To be included in the ranking, occupations had to have information available on both their projected growth rate and average annual wage. All data was compiled on and up-to-date as of Feb. 4, 2020.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Most Wanted Jobs in Every State
