The United States is experiencing a booming economy, enormous economic growth, statistical “full employment”, and an employee’s job market. But what’s the job market like in New Jersey? Whether you love the Garden State and never want to leave it, or you have to stay near Jersey for family or other reasons, here are 10 of the best careers to work toward in the state.
Truck driving
If the open road calls to you, this might be the job for you. Truck drivers are in huge demand nationwide, and Jersey is no exception. Everyone needs to transport goods across the state and possibly into nearby states like New York, Delaware, and Pennsylvania, but you can still be home most nights. The average salary right now is well over $65,000 per year.
Nurses and medical assistants
This is another career that has a good outlook for job security nationwide. New Jersey has some of the best medical centers in the country and demand is high. State training demands vary, so look into a Medical Assistant Diploma Program in New Jersey or a nursing program at a New Jersey college and you’re all set. Expect average salaries in the $65,000-$80,000 per year range.
Lawyers and legal assistants
Anywhere the economy is booming, there’s a great demand for lawyers to keep all that moving smoothly. New Jersey attorneys are in high demand, as are staff for law offices like clerks and administrative assistants. Lawyers’ salaries average around $100,000 per year, while an administrative assistant will see salaries averaging around $40,000.
Retail managers
People have more money, and when they do, they spend. This means retail sellers see more traffic and more sales. While this means more entry level positions, the jobs most in demand (and most worth shooting for) are in management. Average salaries are around $55,000.
Remodeling and construction workers
If you know your way around home improvement work, it might be worth it to get certified. Jobs abound in New Jersey and throughout the industry, so you might also find yourself with good work right across the river in New York, or at a home center in Easton, PA and still be close enough to make it work. Average salaries are close to $50,000, which is nearly $20,000 higher than the national average.
Software developers and engineers
We haven’t hit the end of the digital revolution yet, and software developers are still in high demand. If you have the nimble fingers for it, you can expect salaries in New Jersey of an average of $113,000. If you’re willing to work just outside the state in PA or NY, you might be able to get even more.
Sales reps
If you’re always the one who can talk other people into things, put your skills to good use and go to work as a sales rep for wholesale distributors or manufacturers. You’ll talk to customers about products and negotiate prices. Expect an average salary of around $68,000.
Customer service
With all this buying and selling going on, you know there’s bound to be problems that need solving. Call centers everywhere are looking for customer service reps who can help them troubleshoot and manage customer expectations. You can jump in with very little training and average salaries run around $38,000.
Accountants
If numbers are your thing, why not pursue a career as an accountant or auditor? Expect an average salary of around $72,000.
Automotive and marine service
These are the people who fix, lube, fill, and troubleshoot cars, trucks, buses, and boats. If you want to work at the shore, this could be the job for you. It’s easy to get the training you need to do this work, and there’s lots of demand right now in NJ for these jobs. Average salaries run close to $52,000.
New Jersey has a lot of career opportunities right now, so get out there and get to work!