Career Exploration Resources

Occupational Information to Aid in Career Exploration and Development

The Career Planners and Job Seekers On-Line Reference Guide can be a starting point for planning a career or finding the right job. The guide provides essential websites and tools aimed at directing individuals' career or job path towards professional fulfillment. Additional on-line resources can be found by using the Career Connection Guide.

Employment and wages by occupation within Iowa can be found on the OES and Iowa Wage Survey home pages. Information regarding estimated openings; growth; skills; and education and training levels by occupation is located on the Occupational Projections home page.

Occupational Profiles

Occupational Profiles provide descriptive insights into a selected occupation's projected employment, wages, skills and education. An assortment of 93 different occupational profiles can be viewed by using the drop-down menu below:

Note: All reports are PDF files.

Select ProfileAccountants and AuditorsActuariesAdministrative Assistants and Executive SecretariesArchitectsAuto Body RepairersAuto MechanicsBakersBarbersBrickmasonsButchers and Meat CuttersCarpentersChefs and Head CooksChemistsChief ExecutivesCivil EngineersComputer Network ArchitectsComputer ProgrammersComputer Systems AnalystsComputer User Support SpecialistsConstruction LaborersCorrectional OfficersCost EstimatorsCredit AnalystsCredit CounselorsDental HygienistsDentistsDietitians and NutritionistsEducation and Career CounselorsElectrical Power Line InstallersElectrical EngineersElectriciansElementary School TeachersEnvironmental Science and Protection TechsFamily and General PractitionersFarm Animal WorkersFarm Crop WorkersFarms, Ranchers and Agricultural ManagersFinancial AnalystsFinancial Services Sales AgentsFitness and Aerobics InstructorsFood ScientistsGraphic DesignersHairstylists and CosmetologistsHealth Social WorkersHeating and Air Conditioning MechanicsHome Health AidesIndustrial EngineersIndustrial Machinery MechanicsInformation Security AnalystsInsurance UnderwritersInterior DesignersInterpreters and TranslatorsLandscapers and GroundskeepersLawyersLibrariansLoan OfficersLogisticians and Logistics AnalystsMachinistsMarket Research AnalystsMarriage and Family TherapistsMechanical EngineersMedical Equipment RepairersMedical and Clinical Lab TechnologistsMeeting, Convention and Event PlannersManagement AnalystsMillwrightsOccupational TherapistsOptometristsPaintersPersonal Financial AdvisorsPharmacistsPhotographersPhysician AssistantsPhysical TherapistsPlumbersPsychologistsReal Estate Sales AgentsRegistered NursesRoofersSales Technical RepsSecondary School TeachersSheet Metal WorkersSystems Software DevelopersSoil and Plant ScientistsSubstance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder CounselorsTechnical WritersTelecommunications Line InstallersTruck Drivers, HeavyTruck Drivers, Light or DeliveryVeterinariansWeb DevelopersWelders and CuttersWriters

Occupational Outlooks

The following outlook reports relate to those occupations that are considered fast growing; high demand, high salary or "hot"; a science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) vocation; and also jobs that are considered "green" or are related to goods or services that benefit the environment.

For convenience purposes reports are listed by county in the drop-down menus below, however, the content of the reports reflect data by IWD region. Statewide reports are also available. 

Note: All reports are PDF files.

 

 

 

Job Posting Statistics

The Job Posting Statistics page has data gathered from the job postings that are published on iowajobs.org. The number of postings open each month for each occupation and county are displayed back to January 2016. This information can be used to get an idea of what jobs are being advertised in Iowa.

Related Career Exploration Links/Resources:

• Future Ready Iowa: Assists Iowans in career exploration and related education or training.
• Career Coach: Iowa's premier career exploration tool (wage & employment data may differ from that reported by IWD).
• Occupational Skills Development Guide: A tool used for mapping a career path by occupation and skills required by cluster. (Excel version)
• IowaJobs: Iowa's largest job bank.
• Employer Database: A tool for locating employers in Iowa.
• Home Base Iowa: Assists veterans and transitioning service members find employment.