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Manufacturing
5 Manufacturing Related Occupations to Keep an Eye On
The job market is alive and well in Missouri, with an overall unemployment rate of 3.5 percent statewide and only 3 percent here in the Ozarks. Find a job that fits your skills in this quick list of some of the fastest growing industries in the Ozarks.
By Ettie Berneking
Nov 2019
The Ozarks already boasts a low unemployment rate of 3 percent. Compare that to Missouri’s overall unemployment rate of 3.5 percent, and it’s clear that the job market in 417-land is thriving. Whether you have a college degree or a high school diploma, there’s a job nearby that fits your skills. But before diving into online job sites like Monster, give yourself a head start by checking out some of the fastest growing industries in the Ozarks between 2016 and 2026 according to the Missouri Department of Economic Development.
Laborers and Freight, Stock and Material Movers
Median Annual Wage: $27,621
Projected Openings: 6,303
Qualifications: Typically requires a high school diploma
Companies: Prime Inc., Heartland Trucking, Bass Pro Shops, Paul Mueller Co., Nestle Purina, O’Reilly Auto Parts, SRC Logistics
Production Occupations
Median Annual Wage: $32,376
Projected Openings: 13,657
Qualifications: Typically requires a high school diploma
Companies: Paul Mueller Co., Vital Farms, Glanbia Nutritionals, The Kraft Heinz Company, McCormick & Co., North Star Battery, Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Co.
Sales Representatives
Median Annual Wage: $41,170
Projected Openings: 3,635
Qualifications: Typically requires a high school diploma but can sometimes require a bachelor’s degree
Companies: Bass Pro Shops, Paul Mueller Co., Nestle Purina, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Jack Henry & Associates, Mercy Hospital Springfield, CoxHealth
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
Median Annual Wage: $41,671
Projected Openings: 9,838
Qualifications: Typically requires a high school diploma and CDL training for drivers
Companies: Prime Inc., Heartland Trucking, SGC Foodservice, Wil Fischer Distributing, Heart of America Beverage Co., TransLand, The Kraft Heinz Company
General and Operations
Managers
Median Annual Wage: $93,432
Projected Openings: 3,635
Qualifications: Typically requires a high school diploma
Companies: Paul Mueller Co., Pinnacle Signs Group, Pioneer Outdoor, Expedia, Mercy Hospital Springfield
