Back in 2007, retail, building, and resort industries formed the foundation of Nevada’s economy. Then came recession. Nevada lost 170,000 jobs and experienced an overwhelming 12% unemployment rate (top in the nation). Things did not look good, from economists’ standpoint, who insisted that although recession ended in June 2009, it took Nevada much longer to recover. However, like most bad dreams, all that belongs to the past. Today, Nevada is coming back, with tourism, construction, and consumer spending pushing the state back to its former glory and the job levels it had before recession.
Future Growth Forecasts
Nevada is expected to expand–and big. Until the first half of 2016, it has recovered about 170,000 of its lost jobs and although it still has fewer jobs than it had a decade ago, the expansion rate for this year is estimated to be almost 2X the levels of 2015 when 45,000 jobs were added. Last year, the state almost returned to its pre-recession high while all indicators that drive the state’s economy look really good, giving a prosperous-looking future forecast.
The Changing of the Job Base Landscape
Of course, construction continues to gain the most percentage-wise (see $4bn Resorts World Las Vegas, $5bn Tesla’s factory outside Reno – it will employ 6,500, and $350m MGM-AEG arena) and about 1/5 of the year’s 60,000 new positions (approx. 11,000 jobs coming from 18 out of 20 big industries). Even then, it will still have more than 50,000 fewer workers than the pre-recession time, which means that growth is expected from another source (or sources).
Except for mining, almost all other private-sector industries are showing impressive growth, according to chief economist of the state Employment, Training and Rehabilitation Department. This, in turns, brings a much more sustainable growth than ever before, especially considering that Nevada’s growth used to come from only 2 sectors. Health care, retail hospitality, and leisure are expected to grow by several tens of thousands of jobs in the coming decade or so.
The Most Promising Jobs With No Degree Required
What’s interesting to note is that today’s job base is significantly more diverse than it was some 10 years or so; yet, continues to impress with its low education requirements. According to the Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation, the fastest-growing occupations in the state of Nevada in 2012 demanded no college degree. Indicatively, the top 3 jobs with the best annual projection were (1) retail salespersons (2,278 annual openings), (2) waiters & waitresses (2,124 openings), and (3) cashiers (1,792 openings), followed closely by gaming dealers, material movers, janitors, and office clerks.
In 2017, the landscape has noticeable changes, and new industries are now underpinning some future gains. BUT, the vast majority of the most promising jobs for the next decade still demand nothing but a high school diploma!
List of Fastest Growing Jobs in 2017
Based on projected job growth data coming from both the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Nevada’s Department of Labor, there are 214 occupations in the Silver State that are expected to have more than 1,000 workers in 2024 (so that they are still relevant; hence, the more secure professions in the coming years). To find the fastest growing jobs in Nevada, each occupation was then ranked according to the job growth in 2017. Below is the list that has derived.
Fastest-Growing Jobs in Nevada that Require a High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Electrical & Electronic Equipment Assemblers
They assemble finished products (including the parts that go into them), from computers and engines to toys, ships, aircraft, and control panels, using their hands, machines, and tools. In most cases, a high school diploma will get you in, although additional training (usually on-the-job) is required if the work calls for more advanced assembly. Candidates need to have excellent color vision, dexterity, math, technical & mechanical skills, and physical stamina and strength.
- > 300% growth
- $31,490 av. Wage
- > 3,000 jobs in 2014.
- 2. Telecommunications Line Installers & Repairers (aka aerial installers, cable inspectors, cable mechanics)
They install and repair telecommunications cables (inc. Fiber optics), participate in the construction of telecommunication towers (or their removal), complete installations (i.e. cable plows) using construction equipment, and more. Again, high school diploma is needed.
- > 57% growth
- $49,640 av. Wage
- > 1,700 jobs in 2024
- Machinists (aka Tool & Die Maker)
Depending on the specific industry’s requirements, a machinist might be responsible for providing design inputs to scientists, engineers and mechanics. They may also use computer-assisted design systems to complete assemblies or parts, and perform routine maintenance of equipment and tools, among others. High school diploma is needed, and the candidate receives training either on-the-job or through technical or community colleges, vocational schools or apprenticeship programs.
- > 53% growth
- $39,690 av. Wage
- > 1,400 jobs in 2024
- Quality Control Inspectors
They examine materials and products for deviations and defects and certify them if no problems are detected. In any other case, they send the defective products or materials for repair. There are many types of quality control inspectors, such as materials inspectors, samplers, sorters, testers, weighers, and mechanical inspectors; all of which require a high school diploma and some in-house training (for inspectors that simply conduct pass/fail tests of materials or products). Some higher education might be necessary, though, for operations that require advanced skills.
- > 52% growth
- $36,170 av. Wage
- > 3,300 jobs in 2024
- Concrete Finisher & Masons
Their role is to direct concrete into forms, spread concrete into forms, signal concrete deliverers, sprinkle colored stone chips or other materials on concrete to produce the required finish and more. The majority of masons have a high school diploma and learn the job either through an apprenticeship program or on-the-job while others learn at technical schools through masonry programs.
- > 48% growth
- $42,050 av. wage
- > 2,300 jobs in 2024
- Machine Operators
They inspect equipment, material or structures, and control both the machines and the processes involved. High school diploma is necessary and a few months of on-the-job training to learn basic machine operations. To become proficient, though, candidates need an extra training year (or more) next to experienced workers. For machines controlled by computers, more training might be required.
- > 47% growth
- $41,290 av. Wage
- > 1,400 jobs in 2024
- Drivers
Whether you want to become a taxi-driver, heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver or chauffeur, you only need a high school diploma and, of course, a driving license. For truck drivers, candidates also have to attend a professional truck driving school to receive a certificate of completion, and have a CDL (Commercial Driver’s License). Truck drivers also need to learn the regulations and federal laws governing each state.
- > 47% growth
- $28,770 av. Wage
- > 20,000 jobs in 2024
- Electricians
They install electrical systems on new buildings (wiring, control and lighting systems), as well as maintain and repair electrical power/ control/ lighting/ communications systems in homes, factories, and businesses. They also inspect electrical components to identify any issues using various testing devices while directing and training workers to properly install, repair or maintain electrical equipment of wiring.
- > 47% growth
- $60,200 av. Wage
- > 7,500 jobs in 2024
- Maintenance & Repair Technicians
Their role is to inspect materials, structures or equipment, perform general physical activities, and repair and maintain mechanical equipment, among others. No formal education besides high school is required, and workers learn their skills on the job next to more experienced and skilled maintenance workers. Most workers learn the basic skills in technical education classes, vocational schools, post-secondary trade schools, high school shop classes or community colleges. Their job often involves heating, plumbing, electrical and air-conditioning systems, as well as roofing and painting tasks.
- >46% growth
- $58,430 av. Wage
- > 1,900 jobs in 2024
- Stonemasons
Their job involves a lot of responsibilities. To name a few, stonemasons clean excess grout or mortar from marble surfaces, lay out wall foundations, mix grout or mortar and pour it on marble slabs, finish joints between stones, shape/trim/ cut marble or stone using cutting equipment, and dig trenches for monument foundation.
- > 45% growth
- $41,200 av. Wage
- > 1,200 jobs in 2024.
Other jobs include (1) roofers, (2) sheet metal mechanics, (3) plumbers, (4) welders, and (5) sales reps.
Fastest-Growing Jobs in Nevada that Require an Associate’s Degree or More
- Industrial Engineers
Their primary role is to provide manufacturing teams with technical support about product development, packaging, and industrial engineering, and make sure all quality/safety processes are followed closely.
You will need a bachelor’s degree, usually in industrial engineering. However, a degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, general engineering or electrical engineering will also do.
- > 110% growth
- $82,460 av. wage
- > 1,300 jobs in 2024
- Physician Assistants (PAs)
PAs practice medicine on teams with healthcare workers (i.e. surgeons and physicians) and examine patients to diagnose and treat their health issues. To become one, you typically need a master’s degree and be licensed. However, admissions requirements vary from program to program.
- > 46% growth
- $124,180 av. Wage
- > 1,100 jobs in 2024
- Legal Assistants (incl. Paralegal)
Legal and paralegal assistants support lawyers through a wide range of tasks, which include conducting legal research, organizing and maintaining files, and drafting documents. You need an associate’s degree in paralegal studies. However, given that only a few schools offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees in paralegal studies, many candidates have a bachelor’s degree in another subject and then opt for a certificate in paralegal studies.
- > 45% growth
- $ 51,530 av. Wage
- > 3,100 jobs in 2024
- Electrical/Electronic Technicians
They help engineers design and develop anything from medical monitoring devices and computers to navigational equipment and communications equipment. They might also use diagnostic devices to evaluate, test and repair equipment for automation. Candidates need an associate’s degree in electronics or electrical engineering technology.
- > 43% growth
- $ 71,260 av. Wage
- > 1,500 jobs in 2024
- Web Developers
They design and create websites and are responsible for all the technical aspects of the website, besides its look. The most common requirement to become one is an associate’s degree in web design. However, some settings might call for higher or lower educational requirements (from bachelor’s degree to high school diploma).
- > 43% growth
- $ 63, 920 av. Wage
- > 1,000 jobs in 2024
Other jobs include: (1) systems engineers (incl. software developers), (2) post-secondary nursing instructors and vocational education teachers, (3) marketing specialists, (4) medical assistants, (5) lawyers, and (6) speech-language pathologists.
