By STEVE KNOX
Osceola Times
The most recent report from the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services (ADWS) shows unemployment in the state at 3.2 percent. The jobless rate nationwide currently stands at 3.5 percent.
According to an ADWS report titled, Long-Term Industry and Occupational Projections, Arkansas will add 124,387 new jobs by the year 2030. That’s a 9.05 percent increase and good news for residents of the Natural State..
Goods-Producing industries are expected to add 14,340 new jobs over the next eight years, while the Services-Providing industries should see most of the growth, with 114,345 new jobs being added.
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations are estimated to add 21,219 jobs during the projection period, a 21.11 percent increase, making the major group the top and fastest growing in the state. Restaurant cooks are slated to be the second fastest growing occupation in the major group, increasing employment by 51.77 percent.
Nurse Practitioners are slated to be the fastest growing occupation statewide, increasing by 54.04 percent. Healthcare Support Occupations are projected to add 11,271 jobs by 2030 and be the second fastest growing major group, increasing the workforce by 20.13 percent.
Fastest growing occupations by expected percentage changes also include fundraisers, occupational therapy assistants, speech pathologists, and operation research analysts.
When it comes to the highest paying jobs in the state, Obstetricians and Gynecologists topped the list with an annual salary of $258,940. Anesthesiologists, with an average annual salary of $234,970, ranked second on the Occupations Paying the Most list. Surgeons, physicians, and pediatricians are also in the top five.