9.30.23 – JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)
As Mississippi’s economy experiences record lows in unemployment, job prospects for the future are on many Mississippian’s minds.
Recently, speculation from state leaders focused on the impact of certain degree fields on the state economy. WJTV 12 News looked at data from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security to see how professional fields are expected to expand or shrink between 2020 and 2030 statewide and in the Jackson Metro area.
Accountants and Auditors
Jackson Metro
- 2020 employment estimate: 2,220
- 2030 employment estimate: 2,340
- Projected employment change by 2030: 5.4%
- Projected average annual job openings: 210
- Mississippi
- 2020 employment estimate: 6,490
- 2030 employment estimate: 6,880
- Projected employment change by 2030: 6%
- Projected average annual job openings: 620
Civil Engineers
- Jackson Metro
- 2020 employment estimate: 560
- 2030 employment estimate: 600
- Projected employment change by 2030: 7.1%
- Projected average annual job openings: 45
- Mississippi
- 2020 employment estimate: 2,080
- 2030 employment estimate: 2,140
- Projected employment change by 2030: 2.9%
- Projected average annual job openings: 155
Industrial Engineers
- Jackson Metro
- 2020 employment estimate: 420
- 2030 employment estimate: 500
- Projected employment change by 2030: 19%
- Projected average annual job openings: 35
- Mississippi
- 2020 employment Estimate: 1,940
- 2030 employment Estimate: 2,170
- Projected employment change by 2030: 11.9%
- Projected average annual job openings: 150
Registered Nurses
- Jackson Metro Area
- 2020 employment estimate: 8,890
- 2030 employment estimate: 9,700
- Projected employment change by 2030: 9.1%
- Projected average annual job openings: 565
- Mississippi
- 2020 employment estimate: 29,270
- 2030 employment estimate: 33,220
- Projected employment change by 2030: 13.5%
- Projected average annual job openings: 2,015
Secondary School Teachers*
- Jackson Metro
- 2020 employment estimate: 1,980
- 2030 employment estimate: 2,250
- Projected employment change by 2030: 13.6%
- Projected average annual job openings: 170
- Mississippi
- 2020 employment estimate: 9,220
- 2030 employment estimate: 9,980
- Projected employment change by 2030: 8.2%
- Projected average annual job openings: 720
*Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers
- Jackson Metro
- 2020 employment estimate: 1,620
- 2030 employment estimate: 1,810
- Projected employment change by 2030: 11.7%
- Projected average annual job openings: 150
- Mississippi
- 2020 employment estimate: 8,500
- 2030 employment estimate: 9,270
- Projected employment change by 2030: 9.1%
- Projected average annual job openings: 750
Management Occupations
- Jackson Metro
- 2020 employment estimate: 15,750
- 2030 employment estimate: 17,510
- Projected employment change by 2030: 11.2%
- Projected average annual job openings: 1,505
- Mississippi
- 2020 employment estimate: 63,570
- 2030 employment estimate: 69,730
- Projected employment change by 2030: 9.7%
- Projected average annual job openings: 6,000
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Jackson Metro
- 2020 employment estimate: 20,050
- 2030 employment estimate: 24,270
- Projected employment change by 2030: 21%
- Projected average annual job openings: 4,225
- Mississippi
- 2020 employment estimate: 95,150
- 2030 employment estimate: 121,380
- Projected employment change by 2030: 27.6%
- Projected average annual job openings: 21,135
Legal Occupations
- Jackson Metro
- 2020 employment estimate: 2,660
- 2030 employment estimate: 2,840
- Projected employment change by 2030: 9.2%
- Projected average annual job openings: 215
- Mississippi
- 2020 employment estimate: 6,440
- 2030 employment estimate: 6,870
- Projected employment change by 2030: 6.7%
- Projected average annual job openings: 480
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- Jackson Metro
- 2020 employment estimate: 33,800
- 2030 employment estimate: 32,640
- Projected employment change by 2030: -3.4%
- Projected average annual job openings: 3,490
- Mississippi
- 2020 employment estimate: 145,870
- 2030 employment estimate: 146,630
- Projected employment change by 2030: 0.5%
- Projected average annual job openings: 16,015
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Jackson Metro
- 2020 employment estimate: 21,710
- 2030 employment estimate: 24,380
- Projected employment change by 2030: 12.3%
- Projected average annual job openings: 1,545
- Mississippi
- 2020 employment estimate: 80,570
- 2030 employment estimate: 92,520
- Projected employment change by 2030: 14.8%
- Projected average annual job openings: 6,125
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Jackson Metro
- 2020 employment estimate: 14,790
- 2030 employment estimate: 18,620
- Projected employment change by 2030: 25.9%
- Projected average annual job openings: 2,400
- Mississippi
- 2020 employment estimate: 46,400
- 2030 employment estimate: 57,030
- Projected employment change by 2030: 22.9%
- Projected average annual job openings: 7,300
Projections from MDES show that job growth is expected across all industries statewide. However, experts anticipate there will be fewer office and administrative support jobs in the Jackson Metro by 2030. Conversely, Healthcare Support Occupations and Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations are expected to have the highest percentage of job growth statewide and in the metro going into the next decade.