Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
|
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
|
$73,510
($35/hr)
|
98
|
3
|
|
|
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
|
$119,750
(N/A)
|
97
|
4
|
|
|
Commercial Pilots
|
$75,500
(N/A)
|
97
|
3
|
|
|
Locomotive Firers
|
$52,950
($25/hr)
|
96
|
3
|
|
|
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
|
$54,950
($26/hr)
|
93
|
2
|
|
|
Radiation Therapists
|
$75,450
($36/hr)
|
93
|
3
|
|
|
Anesthesiologists
|
$197,570
($95/hr)
|
92
|
5
|
|
|
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
|
$45,580
($22/hr)
|
91
|
2
|
|
|
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers
|
$41,020
($20/hr)
|
91
|
2
|
|
|
Power Distributors and Dispatchers
|
$66,070
($32/hr)
|
90
|
3
|
|
|
Respiratory Therapy Technicians
|
$43,670
($21/hr)
|
89
|
3
|
|
|
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
|
$54,370
($26/hr)
|
88
|
2
|
|
|
Nuclear Engineers
|
$99,750
($48/hr)
|
87
|
4
|
|
|
Power Plant Operators
|
$58,340
($28/hr)
|
87
|
3
|
|
|
Chemical Plant and System Operators
|
$52,150
($25/hr)
|
87
|
2
|
|
|
Tire Builders
|
$38,080
($18/hr)
|
87
|
2
|
|
|
Gas Plant Operators
|
$55,350
($27/hr)
|
86
|
3
|
|
|
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
|
$50,660
($24/hr)
|
86
|
3
|
|
|
Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic
|
$34,520
($17/hr)
|
86
|
2
|
|
|
Radio Operators
|
$38,520
($19/hr)
|
85
|
3
|
|
|
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
|
$32,950
($16/hr)
|
84
|
2
|
|
|
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
|
$44,410
($21/hr)
|
84
|
2
|
|
|
Ship Engineers
|
$66,140
($32/hr)
|
84
|
3
|
|
|
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
|
$24,110
($12/hr)
|
83
|
2
|
|
|
Sound Engineering Technicians
|
$53,110
($26/hr)
|
83
|
3
|
|
|
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
|
$44,300
($21/hr)
|
83
|
4
|
|
|
Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
|
$42,240
($20/hr)
|
82
|
3
|
|
|
Machinists
|
$37,490
($18/hr)
|
82
|
3
|
|
|
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
|
$33,140
($16/hr)
|
81
|
2
|
|
|
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
|
$41,980
($20/hr)
|
81
|
1
|
* Average wage data for U.S.
N/A = Information not available
Job Zone 1 - Little or no preparation needed
Overall Experience
No previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
is needed. For example, you can become a general office
clerk even if you haven't worked in an office.
Education
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED
certificate. Some may require a formal training course to
obtain a license.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few days
to a few months of training. Usually, an experienced worker
could show you how to do the job.
Examples
Bus drivers, forest and conservation workers, general office
clerks, home health aides, and waiters/waitresses.
These occupations often involve following instructions and
helping others.
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Overall Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience maybe helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a drywall installer could benefit from experience in installing dry wall, but an inexperienced person could learn the job fairly easily.
Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job related course work. In some cases, you may need an associate's or bachelor's degree.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.
Examples
Drywall installers, fire inspectors, flight attendants, pharmacy technicians, retail salespersons, and bank tellers.
In these occupations you can often use your knowledge and skills to help others.
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Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation
Overall Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have gone through an apprenticeship program or several years of vocational training to perform the job.
Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training, including both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.
Examples
Dental assistants, electricians, fish and game wardens, legal secretaries, personnel recruiters and recreational workers.
These occupations often involve using communication and organization skills to manage and train others.
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Job Zone 4 - Preparation needed
Overall Experience
A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant needs four years of college and several years of accounting work to be considered qualified.
Education
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Examples
Accountants, chefs and head cooks, computer programmers, historians, and police detectives.
These occupations often involve coordinating, supervising, managing, and/or training others.
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Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation
Overall Experience
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of medical school and up to an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to do their job.
Education
At a minimum, a bachelor's degree is required for these occupations. However, many also require a graduate school degree such as a Master's, Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Job Training
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations require that you already have the necessary skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Examples
Lawyers, instrumental musicians, physicists, counseling psychologists, and surgeons.
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising or managing the activities of others. Very advanced communication and organization skills are required.
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