The 2023 HotJobs! List
If you’re in the market for a new job, this is the list for you.
The 2023 HotJobs! list can guide you to new employment in a high-demand career. We’ve analyzed online job posting data and surveyed employers to create a list of the 100 most in-demand jobs in West Michigan. These jobs have a growth rate of over double the regional average and an increased wage range of the 25th to 75th percentile- with only 44 percent of these occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher.
To find the jobs you want, simply select your desired industry from the menu below, filter by qualities like wage or credential or search using the designated box.
Occupations that meet the criteria for West Michigan Works! training scholarships.
Occupations are also in demand in the agriculture industry. The agriculture industry, including farming and food production, accounts for nearly 26,000 jobs and $300 million in labor income in the region.
Construction/Energy
Health Sciences
Information Technology
Manufacturing
Professional and Administration
CONSTRUCTION/ENERGY
| Video | SOC Title | Job Title | Median Wage (mid-career) | Recommended Credentials | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 47-2021 Brickmasons and Blockmasons |
| $25.55-$33.87 | Apprenticeship |  | |
| 51-7011 Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters |
| $16.52-$20.96 | Apprenticeship | | |
| 47-2051 Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers |
| $18.89-$28.61 | Apprenticeship | | |
| 47-2061 Construction Laborers |
| $16.97-$28.16 | Short-term OJT |  |
|
| 11-9021.00 Construction Managers |
| $36.84-$74.95 | Bachelors degree and 5+ years work experince | | |
| 49-9012 Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door |
| $23.52-$47.11 | High school diploma and 5+ years work experience | ||
| 47-2111 Electricians |
| $18.85-$36.78 | Apprenticeship or technical school and license | | |
| 47-1011 First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers |
| $27.64-$48.06 | High school diploma and 5+ years work experince | ||
| 37-1012 First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers |
| $18.38-$28.25 | High school diploma and 5+ years work experince | |
|
| 49-9021 Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers |
| $21.73-$36.50 | Certification and long-term OJT, postsecondary non-degree award | | |
| 53-3032 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers |
| $19.31-$29.80 | Commercial driver's license, postsecondary non-degree award | | |
| 37-3011 Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers |
| $13.54-$22.41 | Short-term OJT | |
|
| 47-2073 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators |
| $22.98-$36.68 | Certification and moderate-term OJT | |
|
| 47-2152 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters |
| $18.76-$38.63 | Apprenticeship and license | | |
| 47-2181 Roofers |
| $18.49-$30.27 | Short-term OJT | ||
| 49-9052 Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers |
| $20.78-$29.86 | Short-term OJT | ||
| 47-2044 Tile and Marble Setters |
| $18.30-$36.80 | Short-term OJT | ||
| 49-3031 Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists |
| $18.28-$29.31 | Certification and long-term OJT | | |
| 13-1051 Cost Estimators |
| $23.32-$46.51 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 17-1011 Architects, Except Landscape and Naval |
| $29.12-$48.95 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | | |
| 11-3071.00 Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers |
| $30.90-$74.56 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | | |
| 15-2041 Statisticians |
| $24.94-$50.38 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | | |
| 17-2071 Electrical Engineers |
| $35.53-$61.24 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 49-9071 Maintenance and Repair Workers, General |
| $14.34-$29.12 | Certification and moderate-term OJT | |
|
| 17-2141 Mechanical Engineers |
| $30.17-$57.72 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 49-9044 Millwrights |
| $28.66-$41.58 | Apprenticeship | | |
| 47-2211 Sheet Metal Workers |
| $18.00-$36.13 | High school diploma or equivalent and long-term OJT | ||
| 49-9098 Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers |
| $14.07-$20.98 | High school diploma or equivalent | |
|
| 13-1151 Training and Development Specialists |
| $18.09-$43.72 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 41-4012 Sales Representatives |
| $21.92-$58.22 | High school diploma and moderate-term OJT | |
HEALTH SCIENCES
| Video | SOC Title | Job Title | Median Wage (mid-career) | Recommended Credential | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21-1094 Community Health Workers |
| $17.86-$34.52 | Certification | | |
| 51-9081 Dental Laboratory Technicians |
| $17.70-$26.18 | License | | |
| 29-2032 Diagnostic Medical Sonographers |
| $29.59-$39.45 | Associate degree and certification | | |
| 21-1022 Healthcare Social Workers |
| $23.68-$36.73 | Master's degree and license or limited license | | |
| 29-2061 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses |
| $22.51-$29.03 | License | | |
| 31-9011 Massage Therapists |
| $22.01-$36.20 | License | | |
| 11-9111.00 Medical and Health Services Managers |
| $36.41-$77.71 | Bachelor's degree, license and 5+ years work experince | | |
| 31-9092 Medical Assistants |
| $14.90-$20.41 | Certification | | |
| 43-6013 Medical Secretaries |
| $14.75-$21.99 | High school diploma or equivalent | ||
| 21-1023 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers |
| $20.54-$36.21 | Master's degree and license | ||
| 29-1171 Nurse Practitioners |
| $48.47-$63.75 | Master's degree and license | ||
| 29-1122 Occupational Therapists |
| $29.50-$45.81 | Master's degree and license | ||
| 31-2011 Occupational Therapy Assistants |
| $22.43-$29.83 | Certification and license | | |
| 31-9097 Phlebotomists |
| $14.51-$21.82 | License | | |
| 31-2021 Physical Therapist Assistants |
| $22.08-$30.12 | Associate degree and license | | |
| 29-1123 Physical Therapists |
| $35.58-$48.21 | Doctoral degree and license | ||
| 29-1071 Physician Assistants |
| $47.05-$63.67 | Master's degree and license | ||
| 29-1141 Registered Nurses |
| $29.63-$38.69 | Bachelor's degree and license | | |
| 21-1015 Rehabilitation Counselors |
| $13.98-$29.96 | Bachelor's degree and license | | |
| 29-1126 Respiratory Therapists |
| $23.67-$35.53 | Associate degree and license | | |
| 29-1127 Speech-Language Pathologists |
| $29.72-$46.09 | Master's degree | ||
| 21-1011 Substance Abuse and Behavorial Disorder Counselors |
| $23.12-$44.35 | Master's degree and license | ||
| 29-2056 Veterinary Technologists and Technicians |
| $16.25-$23.27 | Associate degree | | |
| 31-1131 Nursing Assistants |
| $14.16-$18.24 | Certification and license | | |
| 21-1021 Child, Family, and School Social Workers |
| $19.03-$30.78 | Master's degree and license or limited license | ||
| 19-3033 Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists |
| $28.71-$58.83 | Doctoral degree and license | ||
| 21-1091 Health Educators |
| $17.66-$37.23 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 11-9151.00 Social and Community Service Managers |
| $29.02-$45.99 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | | |
| 29-2052 Pharmacy Technicians |
| $14.28-$22.14 | Certification and license | | |
| 29-2055 Surgical Technologists |
| $18.08-$29.22 | Associate degree and license | | |
| 21-1093 Social and Human Service Assistants |
| $13.67-$22.52 | High school diploma or equivalent | ||
| 29-2072 Medical Records Specialists |
| $17.35-$27.28 | Certification and license | | |
| 39-1022 First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers |
| $14.61-$23.96 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 13-1111 Management Analysts |
| $26.18-$62.50 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 15-2041 Statisticians |
| $24.94-$50.38 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 11-1021 General and Operations Managers |
| $28.67-$97.78 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | | |
| 35-1011 Chefs and Head Cooks |
| $19.15-$34.82 | Associate degree and certification | | |
| 13-1141 Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists |
| $23.89-$46.78 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 11-3031.00 Financial Managers |
| $45.21-$98.50 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experince | | |
| 53-1049 First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling |
| $21.69-$38.24 | High school diploma and 5+ years work experince | |
|
| 41-3021 Insurance Sales Agents |
| $22.49-$59.84 | Bachelor's degree and license | | |
| 13-1161 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists |
| $22.69-$48.48 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 13-1151 Training and Development Specialists |
| $18.09-$43.72 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 41-4012 Sales Representatives |
| $21.92-$58.22 | High school diploma and moderate-term OJT | |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
| Video | SOC Title | Ordered List of Jobs | Wage Range | Recommended Credentials | Scholarship | Agribusiness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11-3021.00 Computer and Information Systems Managers |
| $46.45-$81.24 | Bachelor's degree and 10+ years work experince | | |
| 15-1252 Software Developers, Analysts and Testers |
| $30.72-$61.77 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 15-1254 Web Developers and Digital Interface Designers |
| $21.30-$50.18 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 15-1211 Computer Systems Analysts |
| $35.63-$58.31 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 15-1232 Computer User Support Specialists |
| $17.91-$29.13 | Postsecondary non-degree award or certification | | |
| 15-1299 Computer Occupations, All Other |
| $23.41-$64.82 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 15-1212 Information Security Analysts |
| $29.64-$61.79 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 13-1111 Management Analysts |
| $26.18-$62.50 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 15-2041 Statisticians |
| $24.94-$50.38 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 25-9031 Instructional Coordinators |
| $27.99-$47.14 | Master's degree and 5+ years work experience | ||
| 13-1161 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists |
| $22.69-$48.48 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 13-1151 Training and Development Specialists |
| $18.09-$43.72 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 41-4012 Sales Representatives |
| $21.92-$58.22 | High school diploma and moderate-term OJT | |
Manufacturing
| Video | SOC Title | Job Title | Median Wage (mid-career) | Recommended Credentials | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47-2111 Electricians |
| $18.85-$36.78 | Apprenticeship or technical school and license | | |
| 53-3032 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers |
| $19.31-$29.80 | Commercial driver's license, postsecondary non-degree award | | |
| 47-2073 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators |
| $22.98-$36.68 | Certification and moderate-term OJT | |
|
| 15-2041 Statisticians |
| $24.94-$50.38 | Statistical Analyst, Statistical Consultant | | |
| 27-1021 Commercial and Industrial Designers |
| $23.78-$49.45 | Industrial Designer, Mechanical Designer | | |
| 51-9162 Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Tool Programmers, Metal and Plastic |
| $16.68-$34.90 | CNC Machinist, CNC Programmer | | |
| 17-2071 Electrical Engineers |
| $35.53-$61.24 | Circuits Engineer, Design Engineer | | |
| 51-9198 Helpers--Production Workers |
| $14.10-$21.10 | Helper, Material Handler | |
|
| 17-2112 Industrial Engineers |
| $35.67-$58.17 | Engineer, Facilities Engineer | | |
| 49-9041 Industrial Machinery Mechanics |
| $22.38-$35.22 | Machine Adjuster, Machine Mechanic | | |
| 11-3051.00 Industrial Production Managers |
| $37.77-$76.64 | Area Plant Manager, Assembly Manager | | |
| 51-4041 Machinists |
| $17.31-$28.99 | Gear Machinist, Machine Repair Person | | |
| 49-9071 Maintenance and Repair Workers, General |
| $14.34-$29.12 | Building Mechanic, Equipment Engineering Technician | |
|
| 17-2141 Mechanical Engineers |
| $30.17-$57.72 | Application Engineer, Design Engineer | | |
| 49-9044 Millwrights |
| $28.66-$41.58 | Maintenance Millwright, Millwright | | |
| 51-9195 Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic |
| $14.66-$23.13 | Caster, Fabricator | ||
| 53-7081 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors |
| $17.58-$27.87 | Garbage collector, Recycle Driver | |
|
| 47-2211 Sheet Metal Workers |
| $18.00-$36.13 | Sheet Metal Fabricator; Sheet Metal Installer | ||
| 51-6093 Upholsterers |
| $17.08-$23.68 | Box Spring Upholsterer, Furniture Upholsterer | ||
| 51-1011 First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers |
| $23.12-$44.35 | Assembly Supervisor, Line Supervisor | |
|
| 49-9098 Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers |
| $14.07-$20.98 | Mechanic Repair Helper; Mechanic's Assistant | |
|
| 51-3091 Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders |
| $11.67-$22.48 | High school diploma or equivalent | |
|
| 13-1151 Training and Development Specialists |
| $18.09-$43.72 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 41-4012 Sales Representatives |
| $21.92-$58.22 | High school diploma and moderate-term OJT | |
Professional and Administration
| Video | SOC Title | Job Title | Median Wage (mid-career) | Recommended Credentials | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13-1051 Cost Estimators |
| $23.32-$46.51 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 17-1011 Architects, Except Landscape and Naval |
| $29.12-$48.95 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | | |
| 43-5011 Cargo and Freight Agents |
| $17.55-$29.11 | Moderate-term OJT | ||
| 19-3033 Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists |
| $28.71-$58.83 | Doctoral degree and license | | |
| 13-1111 Management Analysts |
| $26.18-$62.50 | Bachelor's degree and license | | |
| 15-2041 Statisticians |
| $24.94-$50.38 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | | |
| 27-1021 Commercial and Industrial Designers |
| $23.78-$49.45 | High school diploma and 5+ years work experience | | |
| 11-1021 General and Operations Managers |
| $28.67-$97.78 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experience | | |
| 19-2031 Chemist |
| $28.99-$61.98 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 13-1141 Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists |
| $23.89-$46.78 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 21-1012 Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors |
| $21.76-$37.72 | Master's degree and certification | ||
| 11-3031.00 Financial Managers |
| $45.21-$98.50 | Bachelor's degree and 5+ years work experince | | |
| 53-1049 First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling |
| $21.69-$38.24 | High school diploma and 5+ years work experince | |
|
| 25-2011 Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education |
| $12.95-$23.00 | Associate degree or certification | | |
| 25-9031 Instructional Coordinators |
| $27.99-$47.14 | Master's degree and 5+ years work experience | ||
| 41-3021 Insurance Sales Agents |
| $22.49-$59.84 | Bachelor's degree and license | | |
| 43-4131 Loan Interviewers and Clerks |
| $17.70-$28.83 | High school diploma or equivalent | ||
| 13-2072 Loan Officers |
| $27.31-$64.79 | Bachelor's degree and license | | |
| 13-1161 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists |
| $22.69-$48.48 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 23-2011 Paralegals and Legal Assistants |
| $21.53-$43.92 | Associate degree, certification | | |
| 13-1151 Training and Development Specialists |
| $18.09-$43.72 | Bachelor's degree | | |
| 11-9033.00 Education Administrators, Elementary,Secondary, and Post Secondary School |
| $29.77-$80.20 | Master's degree and 5+ years experience | ||
| 25-2031 Elementary, Middle and Secondary School Teachers |
| $23.10-$43.23 | Bachelor's degree and license | | |
| 25-1011 Postsecondary Teachers, Art, Business, Health |
| $21.83-$53.19 | Master's or Doctorate degree, experience in field | ||
| 41-4012 Sales Representatives |
| $21.92-$58.22 | High school diploma and moderate-term OJT | |
|
| 25-9042 Teacher Assistants |
| $11.38-$18.14 | Associate degree or certification | |
Key
- SOC Title: Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) title used to classify workers for the purpose of collecting, calculating or disseminating data. The titles in this report represent one or more detailed occupations; in some cases occupations with similar job duties, skills, education and training are grouped together.
- Job Title: Local in-demand jobs that fall within the Standard Occupational Classification. These are the job titles used by West Michigan employers; job seekers can use the titles as a guide when searching for specific jobs.
- Median Wage: Median wages tend to align with an employee that is mid-career, not entry level.
- Recommended Credential: Training or preparation that local employers prefer that job seekers possess prior to employment in the field.
- OJT (On-the-job training): Training or preparation received while working to learn the skills needed for that occupation (short-term: 1 month or less, moderate-term: between 1-12 months, long-term: more than 12 months).
Not sure which role is right for you? Explore careers in West Michigan’s high-demand industries.
METHODOLOGY
Data Collection
Occupational data was obtained from the analytical program, EMSI, survey results from The Employers’ Association (TEA) of West Michigan and the State of Michigan Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives. Data and employer feedback were used to determine the industry focus for our region: manufacturing, health sciences, information technology, construction and energy, professional services, and agribusiness.
Criteria for Inclusion
Occupations on the Hot Jobs List must show a growth rate of at least 4% (the regional average) over 10 years; annual openings above industry averages; and wages at or above $14.30. The list was presented to West Michigan Works! staff and employers within the region’s industry talent councils for anecdotal feedback and insight into hiring needs.
Sources:
- Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI), http://www.economicmodeling.com/data-sources/
- The Employers’ Association (TEA) of West Michigan Wage and Salary Survey, https://www.teagr.org/teaimis/Members/Surveys/Survey_Home.aspx
- O*Net O*NET OnLine. National Center for O*NET Development, http://www.onetonline.org/
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/data/
- Michigan DTMB Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, http://milmi.org/default.aspx
