As the world’s economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, some occupations in the US are more desired than others. Many of them don’t even require higher education, but if you are an experienced worker in New Jersey – the recovering labor market needs you. Find out which jobs are most wanted right now in Garden State.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone, including employees in New Jersey. The state’s unemployment rate peaked at 15.8% in 2020, right in the middle of the crisis. The pandemic is not over, but the job market is coming back to life.
There are professions in New Jersey that are in strong demand. Are you looking for a new job? See our list of occupations with the highest projected growth over the next few years.
Home health care workers
According to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development in New Jersey, the most promising occupation by 2026 will be… home health aides. We can’t say that this is surprising. People over 62 make up more than 15% of the NJ population. It is also worth mentioning that the median age of an NJ resident is 40, which ranks in the TOP-10 highest median age in the US.
The population of New Jersey is getting older, so it is safe to say that there will be a need for home health aides in the next few years. Interestingly, you do not have to get a college degree to become a home health aide, as the job requires a high school diploma or equivalent. However, you will need to complete an on-the-job training under supervision.
Nurses and healthcare assistants
Registered nurses are also on the list of the most promising (and demanded) occupations in New Jersey. According to the above-mentioned department, nursing assistants are among the professions with the highest projected growth. It is safe to say that healthcare professionals are in general need in New Jersey, especially after the health crisis that has affected the entire country. If you have been thinking about advancing your career in healthcare – now is the time to do so.
IT specialists
Qualified IT professionals have been in demand for years, which makes a lot of sense – the world is becoming increasingly digitalized. There are plenty of job openings in New Jersey for people who specialize in:
- software development,
- website development,
- computer support,
- network architecture,
- database administration,
- cybersecurity,
- others.
As technology advances, a growing number of specialists are needed to develop and maintain various systems and services. Interestingly, the COVID-19 pandemic was less painful for those IT specialists who were able to work from home. Moreover, the demand for skilled IT professionals did not decrease due to the pandemic, as many companies switched to working remotely and needed experienced people to control their networks and cybersecurity. IT-related fields are also among the highest-paid jobs. In 2018, the average annual salary of an information security analyst was over $120,000.
Fast-food workers, caterers, waiters, and food couriers
The recovery of the job market in New Jersey does not mean that only trained and highly educated professionals will find jobs. Fast food places, restaurants, and other food services have been multiplying before the pandemic, but their growth was harshly stopped and the demand for workers declined. Now that some restrictions have been lifted, employees are very much needed. This includes:
- cooks,
- food preparation workers,
- waiters,
- baristas,
- others.
It is also worth noting that many New Jersey residents got used to home deliveries, which became very popular during the lockdowns. Food delivery workers are still in demand and will likely remain so.
Customer service workers
With some coronavirus restrictions lifted, restaurants and fast foods are not the only ones coming back to life. Stores, hotels, and entertainment venues are also recovering in New Jersey, which means there is demand for customer-facing employees such as retail salespeople, receptionists, and counter attendants.
Physical workers
Last but not least, the job market in New Jersey is open to those who specialize in manual labor. The projected growth till 2026 is looking promising for material movers, laborers, janitors, cleaners, and ground-keeping workers. This demand will most likely only increase as more restaurants and entertainment venues will open again after the pandemic.
Warehouse workers
Warehouse workers are a very important part of the labor market not only in New Jersey but across the entire country. As the economy grows, people are starting to shop more, and this creates a need for more workers to handle their orders. Online shopping has become the preferred method of purchasing goods during the pandemic, which means that manual workers and truck drivers are needed to sort, ship, and deliver these products.
What will the future bring?
As for now, the world is trying to find itself in the new normalcy. It is safe to say that listed occupations will be in demand for at least a few years – especially laborers, store assistants, and food processing workers. We also have a strong feeling that more IT-related jobs will open as the world becomes more dependent on the Internet and technology.
The post What are the Most In-Demand Occupations in New Jersey? appeared first on .
