As part of Project AWESOME: Advancing Welfare and Family Self-Sufficiency Research, Mathematica’s experts identified promising occupations that are achievable for low-income workers after a relatively short-term investment in education or training. Project AWESOME, a four-year effort, is producing cross-cutting research that responds to the needs and interests of family self-sufficiency and stability research.
Researchers used data from state occupational employment projections to determine promising occupations for low-income workers in each state or territory. First, they categorized occupations requiring more than a high school diploma or general educational development certificate, but less than a bachelor’s degree. Next, they looked at these occupations and identified those projected to experience positive job growth through 2022.
For each state, a table highlights promising occupations, listed from highest to lowest number of projected annual jobs. The tables show the education and training required (some college, no degree; postsecondary certificate; or associate’s degree); annual job openings; growth rates; and key wage percentiles for all occupations meeting the project’s criteria. Search by state for promising occupations.
