2002–2012 Economic and Employment Projections — 2004-02-11

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, today released projections on future job growth by industry and occupation and on the likely composition of the workforce pursuing those jobs. The 10-year projections of economic growth, employment by industry and occupation, and labor force are widely used in career guidance, in planning education and training programs, and in studying long-range employment trends. Covering the 2002-12 decade, these projections reflect the 2000 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system and the 2002 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Over the 2002-12 decade, total employment is projected to increase by 21.3 million jobs, or 15 percent. Over the previous decade (1992-2002), total employment grew by 20.7 million jobs but at a slightly faster rate, 17 percent. (The definition of employment used in these projections differs from the definitions used in other BLS programs. See table 1.) * Employment growth will be concentrated in the service-providing sector of the economy.