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Fastest Growing Opportunities
Fastest Growing Occupations 2008- 2018Oakland-Fremont-Hayward Metropolitan Division (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties)
| Rank | Occupational Title | Average Annual Employment | Percent Change |
Median Hourly Wage* | Median Annual Wage* | Education and Training Levels** | |
| 2008 | 2018 | ||||||
| 1 | Home Health Aides | 4,450 | 6,700 | 50.6 | $9.78 | $20,344 | 11 |
| 2 | Physician Assistants | 740 | 1,050 | 41.9 | $49.17 | $102,266 | 5 |
| 3 | Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors | 2,750 | 3,850 | 40.0 | $19.98 | $41,559 | 7 |
| 4 | Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts | 3,760 | 5,140 | 36.7 | $39.02 | $81,150 | 5 |
| 5 | Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 1,610 | 2,190 | 36.0 | $40.95 | $85,185 | 2 |
| 6 | Biochemists and Biophysicists | 560 | 760 | 35.7 | $42.71 | $88,835 | 2 |
| 7 | Occupational Therapists | 690 | 920 | 33.3 | $42.07 | $87,517 | 3 |
| 8 | Physical Therapists | 880 | 1,170 | 33.0 | $41.84 | $87,039 | 3 |
| 9 | Medical Assistants | 4,410 | 5,850 | 32.7 | $16.41 | $34,140 | 10 |
| 10 | Dental Assistants | 2,660 | 3,490 | 31.2 | $21.68 | $45,088 | 10 |
| 11 | Dental Hygienists | 2,350 | 3,080 | 31.1 | $49.06 | $102,055 | 6 |
| 12 | Compliance Officers, Except Agriculture, Construction, Health and Safety, and Transportation | 2,200 | 2,880 | 30.9 | $28.07 | $58,380 | 9 |
| 13 | Pediatricians, General | 530 | 690 | 30.2 | $77.52 | $161,233 | 1 |
| 14 | Surgical Technologists | 540 | 700 | 29.6 | $24.86 | $51,711 | 7 |
| 15 | Internists, General | 720 | 930 | 29.2 | N/A | N/A | 1 |
| 16 | Respiratory Therapists | 790 | 1,010 | 27.8 | $33.80 | $70,302 | 6 |
| 17 | Pharmacy Technicians | 1,870 | 2,390 | 27.8 | $19.51 | $40,596 | 10 |
| 18 | Self-Enrichment Education Teachers | 1,780 | 2,270 | 27.5 | $23.25 | $48,350 | 8 |
| 19 | Personal Financial Advisors | 1,580 | 2,010 | 27.2 | $33.49 | $69,655 | 5 |
| 20 | Medical Secretaries | 6,030 | 7,670 | 27.2 | $18.51 | $38,495 | 7 |
| 21 | Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants | 8,980 | 11,350 | 26.4 | $14.64 | $30,466 | 11 |
| 22 | Registered Nurses | 18,060 | 22,590 | 25.1 | $48.06 | $99,961 | 6 |
| 23 | Coaches and Scouts | 3,000 | 3,730 | 24.3 | [2] | $35,935 | 9 |
| 24 | Medical Records and Health Information Technicians | 1,160 | 1,430 | 23.3 | $19.01 | $39,547 | 6 |
| 25 | Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | 1,170 | 1,440 | 23.1 | $10.53 | $21,906 | 11 |
| *The wages are from the 2010-1st quarter and do not include self-employed or unpaid family workers. |
| **Education & Training Levels: |
| 1 - First Professional Degree - LLD/MD |
| 2 - Doctoral Degree |
| 3 - Master's Degree |
| 4 - Bachelor's Degree or Higher and Some Work Experience |
| 5 - Bachelor's Degree |
| 6 - Associate Degree |
| 7 - Post-Secondary Vocational Education |
| 8 - Work Experience in a Related Occupation |
| 9 - Long-Term On-the-Job Training |
| 10 - Moderate-Term On-the-Job Training |
| 11 - Short-Term On-the-Job Training |
SOURCE: California Economic Development Department - Projections of Employment by Industry and Occupation
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