While production, construction, maintenance and transportation jobs are expected to grow across the board in the coming years, these four jobs are among the fastest growing with the most annual openings available, giving you an even better chance to land a job. Take a look at these job descriptions to get a better idea of what each occupation does, what training is involved and what your pay could be. You can learn more about each job and all of those listed in “Hot Jobs” on page 26 at onetonline.org.
CNC Tool Programmer
You can take your love of working with computers and coding and make it into a profitable, in-demand career as a CNC tool programmer. Workers who fit this category have a core knowledge of electronics, including circuit boards, processors, and computer hardware and software. They also have an interest in all things mechanical and math skills that can be used on the job.
A day as a CNC tool programmer could include writing programs in the language of a machine’s controller, calculating the dimensions of products or equipment, performing basic equipment maintenance, creating diagrams or blueprints for workpieces, doing test runs of equipment, and more.
To get into this industry, you’ll need to spend some time at a vocational school or have on-the-job experience, which can be gained through an apprenticeship program. On average, you’ll need one to two years of training to become a CNC tool programmer. About 40% of workers in this role have some sort of post-secondary certificate and 19% have an associate degree.
There are 183 projected annual job openings in Wisconsin for CNC tool programmers and the industry is expected to see 32% growth by 2030. That means there will be an estimated 1,536 employees in the state by 2030. CNC tool programmers make an average of $60,110 in Wisconsin. On the high end, employees are making $76,800.
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
If you were that kid who was always excitable when it came to big trucks or seeing heavy machinery, you can make operating that equipment your career with very little experience necessary. Industrial truck and tractor operators include forklift drivers and operators, truck drivers, checker loaders and more. These workers are key in making sure operations at warehouses, factories and construction sites run smoothly.
Workers who might be drawn to this job have good hand-eye coordination and are able to quickly adjust the controls of a machine or choose between movements in response to different signals. Good vision and a firm handle of math are also crucial qualities. Daily tasks may include operating cranes, hoists and other moving and lifting equipment, securing cargo and loading shipments.
To become an industrial truck or tractor operator, most positions will usually only require an employee to have a high school diploma. Some on-the-job training with a more experienced employee would be required, ranging from three months to a year. There are apprenticeship programs associated with this industry.
In Wisconsin, there are 1,970 annual openings for industrial truck and tractor operators. The industry is expected to grow by 16.5% to 17,366 employees statewide by 2030 and the average yearly pay is $43,110.
Construction Laborers
It takes a lot to build the homes, schools and businesses we spend time in every day. Power tools, equipment and specialized trades are all key parts of making a building plan a reality, but at the heart of any project is physical labor that helps bring all the pieces together.
If you’re looking for a job where you work with your hands, it’s probably going to be hard to find a better example than a construction laborer. On the job, you will be doing practical, hands-on work to solve problems and complete tasks. One day you may be breaking concrete, the next you’re digging a trench, erecting scaffolding or helping other tradespeople. You could also be called on to help clean up the job site, direct equipment operators, and load or unload materials or machinery.
It’s a job that generally does not require any formal education credential and only short-term on-the-job training. On average, construction laborers in Wisconsin make around $45,670, with some making upwards of $62,480. Plus, if you’re interested in moving into other areas of the construction industry, experience on a job site and understanding the physical work that goes into a project will serve you well.
There is also plenty of demand for construction laborers. More than 20,500 people worked as construction laborers in Wisconsin in 2020, a figure expected to grow by nearly 12% to almost 23,000 by 2030. There are around 2,350 annual openings for the job each year in the state.
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Within any industry, there’s someone on hand to fix something if and when it breaks. If you’re someone who enjoys taking things apart to see how they work or is easily able to figure out why something isn’t working properly, a career as an industrial machinery mechanic might be for you. Workers in this occupation should also enjoy working with tools and have an affinity for math. Jobs under the industrial machinery mechanics umbrella include industrial mechanics, maintenance technicians, loom fixers and more.
Someone who has no problem troubleshooting and is comfortable working with a mix of machinery and technology is a good fit for these roles. Your day-to-day work could include tasks like examining parts for defects, analyzing test results and machine error messages, taking apart equipment to make repairs, cutting and welding metal to repair broken parts, and ordering new parts and materials.
To become an industrial machinery mechanic, most people typically need one to two years of training that includes on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. Training at a vocational school or through an apprenticeship program are options for those interested.
This job is projected to grow by over 25.5% in Wisconsin by 2030, and there are 1,502 openings in the state each year. Industrial machinery mechanics can expect to make an average of $59,180 annually in Wisconsin, with some making as much as $76,290.