Key Phrases in the Handbook

Changing employment between 2004 and 2014 | Opportunities and competition for jobs

This box explains how to interpret the key phrases used to describe projected changes in employment. It also explains the terms used to describe the relationship between the number of job openings and the number of job seekers. The description of this relationship in a particular occupation reflects the knowledge and judgment of economists in the BLS Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections.

Changing employment between 2004 and 2014

Changing employment between 2004 and 2014
If the statement reads:	Employment is projected to:
Grow much faster than average	Increase 27 percent or more
Grow faster than average	Increase 18 to 26 percent
Grow about as fast as average	Increase 9 to 17 percent
Grow more slowly than average	Increase 0 to 8 percent
Decline	Decrease any amount

Opportunities and competition for jobs

Opportunities and competition for jobs
If the statement reads:	Job openings compared with job seekers may be:
Very good to excellent opportunities	More numerous
Good or favorable opportunities	In rough balance
May face, or can expect, keen competition	Fewer

Also see

and Fastest growing occupations and occupations projected to have the largest numerical increases in employment, by level of education or training.

Also see Key phrases in the Handbook in the 2004-05 edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook
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