Occupational employment projections to 2014

Daniel E. Hecker is an economist formerly in the Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Daniel E. Hecker Total employment is projected to increase by 18.9 million jobs over the 2004–14 period, reaching 164.5 million, according to the latest projections of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, the Bureau).1 This increase represents about 2.6 million more jobs than were added over the previous 10-year period (1994–2004). The projected 13percent increase from 2004 to 2014 is slightly higher than the 12.7-percent increase during the earlier period. Self-employment is projected to increase 2.8 percent, from 12.0 million to 12.3 million.2 This article discusses a number of aspects of the BLS projections, along with related information: