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 Iowa Wage Report and OES 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 105 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 MechanicsBakersBarbersBookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing ClerksBrickmasonsBus Drivers, School and Special ClientButchers and Meat CuttersCardiovascular Technologists and TechniciansCarpentersCertified Nursing AssistantsChefs and Head CooksChemistsChief ExecutivesChiropractorsChild, Family, and School Social WorkersCivil EngineersCommunity Health WorkersComputer Network ArchitectsComputer ProgrammersComputer Systems AnalystsComputer User Support SpecialistsConstruction LaborersCorrectional OfficersCost EstimatorsCredit AnalystsCredit CounselorsDental AssistantsDental HygienistsDental Laboratory TechniciansDentistsDiagnostic Medical SonographersDietetic TechniciansDietitians and NutritionistsEducation and Career CounselorsEducational, Guidance, School, and Vocational CounselorsElectrical EngineersElectrical Power Line InstallersElectriciansElementary School TeachersEmergency Management DirectorsEmergency Medical Technicians and ParamedicsEnvironmental Science and Protection TechsFamily and General PractitionersFarm Animal WorkersFarm Crop WorkersFarmers, Ranchers and Agricultural ManagersFinancial AnalystsFinancial Services Sales AgentsFirefightersFitness and Aerobics InstructorsFood ScientistsGraphic DesignersHairstylists and CosmetologistsHealth Social WorkersHearing Aid SpecialistsHeating and Air Conditioning MechanicsHome Health AidesHuman Resources SpecialistsIndustrial EngineersIndustrial Machinery MechanicsInformation Security AnalystsInsurance UnderwritersInterior DesignersInterpreters and TranslatorsLandscapers and GroundskeepersLawyersLibrariansLicensed Practical NursesLoan OfficersLogisticians and Logistics AnalystsMachinistsMagnetic Resonance Imaging TechnologistsManagement AnalystsMarket Research AnalystsMarriage and Family TherapistsMassage TherapistsMechanical EngineersMedical & Clinical Laboratory TechniciansMedical & Health Services ManagersMedical AssistantsMedical Equipment RepairersMedical Clinic Laboratory TechniciansMedical Equipment PreparersMedical Records & Health Information TechniciansMedical SecretariesMedical TranscriptionistsMeeting, Convention and Event PlannersMillwrightsNuclear Medicine TechnologistsNurse PractitionersOccupational TherapistsOccupational Therapy AssistantsOphthalmic Medical TechnologistsOpticians, DispensingOptometristsPaintersPersonal Care AidesPersonal Financial AdvisorsPharmacistsPharmacy AidesPharmacy TechniciansPhlebotomistsPhotographersPhysical TherapistsPhysical Therapist AidesPhysical Therapist AssistantsPhysician AssistantsPlumbersPolice OfficersPsychiatric AidesPsychiatric TechniciansPsychologistsRadiation TherapistsRadiologic TechnologistsReal Estate Sales AgentsRegistered NursesRehabilitation CounselorsRespiratory TherapistsRoofersSales Technical RepsSecondary School TeachersSheet Metal WorkersSocial and Community Service ManagersSocial and Human Service AssistantsSoil and Plant ScientistsSubstance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder CounselorsSurgical TechnologistsSystems Software DevelopersTechnical 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.

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).
• EarnandLearnIowa.gov: Assists job seekers and employers in exploring Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in Iowa.
• Occupational Skills Development Guide: A tool used for mapping a career path by occupation and skills required by cluster. (Excel version)
• IowaWORKS website: 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.