Special Report
Jobs With the Best and Worst Job Security
February 27, 2019 4:43 pm
Last Updated: January 11, 2020 10:46 am
Source: dardespot / Getty Images
24. Mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service
> Unemployment rate: 7.0% (tied – 23rd highest)
> Labor force: 68,000
> Median annual wage: $29,620
> Proj. job growth 2016-2026: -7.4%
> Typical entry level edu. required: High school diploma or equivalent
Source: Drazen_ / Getty Images
23. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
> Unemployment rate: 7.0% (tied – 23rd highest)
> Labor force: 368,000
> Median annual wage: $47,040
> Proj. job growth 2016-2026: +12.3%
> Typical entry level edu. required: High school diploma or equivalent
Source: Juanmonino / Getty Images
22. Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food
> Unemployment rate: 7.2% (22nd highest)
> Labor force: 347,000
> Median annual wage: $20,180
> Proj. job growth 2016-2026: +16.8%
> Typical entry level edu. required: No formal educational credential
Source: wathanyu / Getty Images
21. Grounds maintenance workers
> Unemployment rate: 7.5% (21st highest)
> Labor force: 1.4 million
> Median annual wage: $28,110
> Proj. job growth 2016-2026: +11.2%
> Typical entry level edu. required: No formal educational credential
Source: YakobchukOlena / Getty Images
20. Cashiers
> Unemployment rate: 7.6% (20th highest)
> Labor force: 3.5 million
> Median annual wage: $21,030
> Proj. job growth 2016-2026: -0.9%
> Typical entry level edu. required: No formal educational credential
Source: AndreyPopov / Getty Images
19. Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand
> Unemployment rate: 7.7% (tied – 17th highest)
> Labor force: 2.3 million
> Median annual wage: $27,040
> Proj. job growth 2016-2026: +7.6%
> Typical entry level edu. required: No formal educational credential
Source: franckreporter / Getty Images
18. Structural iron and steel workers
> Unemployment rate: 7.7% (tied – 17th highest)
> Labor force: 65,000
> Median annual wage: $52,610
> Proj. job growth 2016-2026: +12.8%
> Typical entry level edu. required: High school diploma or equivalent
Source: Goldmund / Getty Images
17. Word processors and typists
> Unemployment rate: 7.7% (tied – 17th highest)
> Labor force: 73,000
> Median annual wage: $39,740
> Proj. job growth 2016-2026: -33.1%
> Typical entry level edu. required: High school diploma or equivalent
Source: fortrucker / Flickr
16. Tax preparers
> Unemployment rate: 7.8% (16th highest)
> Labor force: 123,000
> Median annual wage: $38,730
> Proj. job growth 2016-2026: +10.8%
> Typical entry level edu. required: High school diploma or equivalent
Source: John Moore / Getty Images
15. Lifeguards and other recreational, and all other protective service workers
> Unemployment rate: 8.0% (tied – 13th highest)
> Labor force: 127,000
> Median annual wage: $21,290
> Proj. job growth 2016-2026: N/A
> Typical entry level edu. required: No formal educational credential
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