DWD: Wisconsin projects one million job openings by 2016; tech jobs to rise by 246,000

DWD: Wisconsin projects one million job openings by 2016; tech jobs to rise by 246,000

Madison, Wis. – Due to a variety of factors, including the pending retirements of members of the Baby Boom generation, Wisconsin expects nearly one million job openings in the state between 2006 and 2016, including 246,370 more information technology jobs, according to long-term employment figures released by the Department of Workforce Development.
The positive technology outlook was tempered by expected declines in telecommunications job openings and computer and electronic product manufacturing positions, but most information technology job categories report gains.
Among information technology, the biggest job gains will be seen in computer software engineers and applications, up 3,340 jobs; computer systems analysts, up 2,260 jobs; network systems data communication analysts, up 2,240 positions; and network and computer systems administrators, up 1,080.
Based on estimated salaries, the top five salaried IT positions would be as follows: engineering managers, $94,767 (bachelor’s degree or higher, plus work experience); computer and information systems managers, $93,976 (bachelor’s degree or higher, plus work experience); computer and information scientists (research), $83,652 (doctoral degree); electrical engineers, $77,421 (bachelor’s degree); and computer software engineers, $74,640 (bachelor’s degree).
The biggest job losses will be seen in electrical and electronic equipment assemblers, down an estimated 1,420 positions; computer operators, down 600; and computer programmers, down 550.
Meanwhile, telecommunications will see a drop of 1,030 positions, to 12,130 jobs, a decline of 7.8 percent, and computer and electronic product manufacturing jobs, now at 22,890 positions, are projected to drop by 890 or 3.9 percent.
More information on job projections and salaries can be found on the DWD’s Office of Economic Advisors website.
Overall view
The long-term Wisconsin projections, which cover the period between 2006 and 2016, includes information for 90 industries and almost 800 occupations, according to the DWD. Among the nearly one million job openings expected during that period, the state estimates that 680,200 positions will be available due to replacement needs from retirement, career change, and illness.
In a statement released with the job projections, Gov. Jim Doyle said that as many students graduate, and as some workers upgrade their skills or learn new skills, “it’s important for them to know that the demand for skilled workers is high in many areas of our economy.”
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