In the right field, jobs abound, study says
WASHINGTON -- Some jobs pay living wages, are in fast-growing fields, have lots of openings, and don't require bachelor's degrees.
Most of them aren't glamorous, but they won't be offshored any time soon either, according to a newly published analysis by the nonprofit agency Jobs for the Future. Among them: truck and bus driving, nursing, construction, and computer-tech jobs.
''A lot of these industries are having difficulty finding reliable workers with the skills they require," agency official Jerry Rubin said.
His group, which is based in Cambridge, winnowed Bureau of Labor Statistics data for 725 job categories to find the best shots.
It looked for jobs that paid $25,000 or more, were in fields with at least 20,000 openings a year, offered at least some opportunity for advancement, and had modest requirements for education and experience.
Its report, ''The Right Jobs," profiles these winners:
Registered nurseIncome range: $40,100 to $57,500
Projected annual openings: 110,119
Education: associate degree in nursing.
Car/truck mechanic Income range: car, $22,080 to $41,270; truck, $27,310 to $42,730
Projected annual openings: auto, 31,887; truck, 10,655
Education: high school. Training for those without high school auto-shop experience lasts six months to two years and costs $3,000 to $24,000. Head mechanics at car dealerships can earn $100,000.
Computer support specialist Income range: $29,760 to $51,680
Projected annual openings: 21,579
Education: Entry-level jobs are available without much formal training, but vocational school certifications and degrees help win promotions.
Building trades (carpenter, electrician, plumber) Income range: carpenter, $26,180 to $45,560; electrician, $31,100 to $55,120; plumber, $30,540 to $53,820
Projected annual openings: carpenter, 31,917; electrician, 28,485; plumber, 20,511
Education: high school
Preapprentice training lasts 12 weeks; apprenticeship, three to four years.
Commercial driver (Heavy trucks or buses) Income range: Truck, $26,020 to $41,610; bus, $21,870 to $39,510
Projected annual openings: truck, 62,517; bus, 25,000
Education: high school. Training programs usually run six to 12 months. Federal law requires interstate truckers to be 21 or older.
