Winners and Losers in Hawaii’s Job Market
Source: Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
One way to follow a changing economy is to track the fastest-declining and fastest-growing jobs. The following infographic report outlines the state’s forecast for the biggest changes in Hawaii’s labor market, both in percentage changes and in absolute numbers.
Construction occupations, still recovering from the recession, are expected to enjoy large gains as construction activity increases, according to a forecast from the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ Research and Statistics Office.
However, over the long term, 2010 to 2020, the fastest growing jobs in percentage terms are expected to be in the health, information technology and marketing fields, the Labor Department says.
In both the short and long terms, the fastest growing jobs in terms of absolute numbers are those that require less education, are entry level and have high turnover rates. Meanwhile, most of the declining occupations are losing out to automation, computer technology and a decline in mail volume.
Short-Term Occupational Projections 2012-2014
*Numbers do not add up exactly due to rounding.
Top 5 Net Growing Occupations by Number of Jobs
| Employment | Net Growth | ||
| Occupation Title | 2012 | 2014 | |
| Retail Salesperson | 24,040 | 25,280 | 1,240 |
| Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food |
16,660 | 17,520 | 860 |
| Office Clerks, General * | 15,100 | 15,660 | 570 |
| Carpenters * | 7,760 | 8,340 | 570 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 14,680 | 15,230 | 550 |
Top 5 Net Declining Occupations by Number of Jobs
| Employment | Net Growth | ||
| Occupation Title | 2012 | 2014 | |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators and Gaugers * |
230 | 180 | -60 |
| Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors and Processing Machine Operators |
450 | 410 | -40 |
| Postal Service Clerks | 430 | 390 | -40 |
| Word Processorts and Typists | 1,910 | 1,890 | -20 |
| Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Services |
770 | 750 | -20 |
Top 5 Net Growing Occupations by Percentage
| Employment | Average Annual Growth | ||
| Occupation Title | 2012 | 2014 | |
| Cost Estimators | 1,020 | 1,160 | 7.1% |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | 710 | 790 | 5.9% |
| Roofers | 630 | 700 | 5.4% |
| Tile and Marble Setters | 630 | 700 | 5.4% |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | 320 | 350 | 5.3% |
Top 5 Net Declining Occupations by Percentage
| Employment | Average Annual Growth | ||
| Occupation Title | 2012 | 2014 | |
| Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Maching Operators | 450 | 410 | -5.0% |
| Postal Service Clerks | 430 | 390 | -4.9% |
| Switchboard Operators, including Answering Service |
770 | 750 | -1.5% |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | 340 | 330 | -1.2% |
| Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters |
660 | 650 | -1.1% |
Long-Term Occupational Projections 2010-2020
*Numbers do not add up exactly due to rounding.
Top 5 Net Growing Occupations by Number of Jobs
| Employment | Growth | ||
| Occupation Title | 2010 | 2020 | Net |
| Retail Salespersons * | 22,990 | 26,570 | 3,570 |
| Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, including Fast Food |
15,610 | 18,380 | 2,770 |
| Personal and Home Care Aides | 5,620 | 8,030 | 2,410 |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers |
9,990 | 11,780 | 1,790 |
| Office Clerks, General | 14,950 | 16,730 | 1,780 |
Top 5 Net Declining Occupations by Number of Jobs
| Employment | Growth | ||
| Occupation Title | 2010 | 2020 | Net |
| Farmers, Ranchers and Other Agricultural Managers |
5,850 | 5,530 | -320 |
| Word Processors and Typists | 1,980 | 1,730 | -250 |
| Switchboard Operators, including Answering Service |
730 | 530 | -200 |
| Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors and Processing Machine Operators * |
490 | 300 | -180 |
| Postal Service Clerks | 450 | 280 | -170 |
Top 5 Net Growing Occupations by Percentage
| Employment | Average Annual Growth | ||
| Occupation Title | 2010 | 2020 | |
| Home Health Aides | 1,530 | 2,290 | 5.0% |
| Personal and Home Care Aides |
5,620 | 8,030 | 4.3% |
| Software Developers, Systems Software |
540 | 750 | 4.0% |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists |
700 | 980 | 3.9% |
| Meeting and Convention Planners |
390 | 550 | 3.9% |
Top 5 Net Declining Occupations by Percentage
| Employment | Average Annual Growth | ||
| Occupation Title | 2010 | 2020 | |
| Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors and Processing Machine Operators | 490 | 300 | -3.8% |
| Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service | 730 | 530 | -2.7% |
| Word Processors and Typists | 1,980 | 1,730 | -1.3% |
| Actors | 1,060 | 940 | -1.1% |
| File Clerks | 610 | 540 | -1.1% |
