The Midwest is considered the best place to look for a job for graduates, according to the National Association of College and Employers (NACE), as employers hired 18.5% percent more graduates in the last year. Let’s take a look at the employment figures in seven Midwest states and find out which has the highest job outlook for the year 2014.
The unemployment rate in Minnesota is steadily decreasing: from 5.7% in August 2012 to 5.1% this year, which is 2.2% lower than the national rate for the same period. According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, construction trades lead the list of jobs with high growth and high pay in the state. Careers in the medical field are also in demand based on the department’s employment projections for 2010 to 2020.
Iowa was recognized as the sixth best state in the US by CNBC in 2010, and first when it comes to the “Cost of Doing Business”; which means the state provides the best value for business in terms of taxes, utilities, and other operational costs. Its unemployment rate of 4.9% in August 2013 is lower than the national rate of 7.3% for the same month. Iowa’s leading hot jobs from 2010 to 2020 are in the medicine field and computer and information systems.
The unemployment rate in Missouri has continued to rise since the start of 2013, reaching a rate of 7.2% in August 2013. Employment projections by the Bureau of Labor Statistics predict that careers related to network systems and computer software applications will be in high demand from 2006 to 2016. Medical scientists and other healthcare jobs are also hot jobs in Missouri.
The oil industry has continued its peak in North Dakota, making the state’s unemployment rate fall to a low 3%. Opportunities in the energy industry are abound as many oilfield-related positions are available and expected to grow to more than 60,000 jobs from 2020 to 2025. Positions in restaurants, hotels, and other expanding businesses are also lucrative statewide. Williams County alone added 926 new businesses from 2007 to June 2012.
South Dakota is enjoying a low 3.8% unemployment rate in August 2013 as the economy steadily improved from last year. The largest economic contributor for the state is the service industry, which includes the retail, finance, and healthcare industries. Agriculture has continued to be a key factor in its economy, especially in rural areas.
Nebraska’s unemployment rate is slightly worse at 4.2% in August 2013 compared to last year’s 4.0%. The state was one of the Top 30 Cities for Jobs in the US in 2008, based on a survey made by CareerBuilder.com. One of America’s top providers of corn-based ethanol, Nebraska is active in sustainability and alternative energy production.
The state unemployment rate is at 9.0% in August 2013, which has only slightly improved from last year’s 9.3%. The top high-demand, high-wage careers from 2008 to 2018 are registered nurses, customer service representatives, and truck drivers.