What is a “Five-Star” Job?

Demand-Side Economics

The Utah Department of Workforce Services (DWS) has developed a great way to rank jobs based on employment outlook and wages.

In this new rating system, five-star jobs are those with the strongest employment outlook and high wages. The employment outlook rating is based 90 percent on the number of annual openings projected for that occupation and 10 percent on the rate of new employment growth in that job. Wage rankings use the median annual wage from the Utah wage survey conducted by DWS. Occupations with fewer than 100 jobs are not ranked.

The system groups jobs by training level. In other words, a high-paying job with just short- or moderate-term on-the-job training will not match the wages of a high-paying job requiring a college education!

Supply-Side Economics

Just because an occupation has a “five-star” rating, doesn’t mean jobs will be easy to find! The rankings cover only the “demand” for employees. As all good economists know, the other side of the economic equation is the supply of workers for that occupation.

An occupation may create hundreds of new openings every year. But, if thousands of workers are qualified for those positions, lots of workers won’t find work in that field.

Look at the supply of labor for a particular occupation—not just the demand.

To accomplish this task, you’ll need to do some homework. Check with people already employed in the occupation and employers who hire that occupation to determine whether there is an over- or under-supply of workers. You can also check out our job vacancy survey.

For more information:

      

Best of the Five-Star Jobs

More than High School, Less than a Bachelor’s Degree

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
Dental Hygienists
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians
Industrial Engineering Technicians
Medical Equipment Repairers
Occupational Therapist Assistants
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Registered Nurses
Respiratory Therapists 

Moderate and Short Term On-the-Job Training

Advertising Sales Agents
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Correctional Officers and Jailers
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
Maintenance and Repair Workers
Operating Engineers
Painters, Construction and Maintenance
Pharmacy Technicians
Postal Service Mail Carriers
Roofers
Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer 

Experience in a Related Occupation  or Long Term On-the-Job Training

Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
Electricians
First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Production and Operating
Food Service Managers
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Industrial Production Managers
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Purchasing Agents
Sales Representatives, Nontechnical
Sales Representatives, Technical
Sheet Metal Workers
Supervisors/Managers of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Supervisors/Managers of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
Supervisors/Managers of Non-Retail Sales Workers

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

Computer Software Engineers, Systems Software
Financial Managers
Sales Managers
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Lawyers
Pharmacists
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
Dentists, General
Chief Executives
Marketing Managers
Physician Assistants
Computer and Information Scientists, Research
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Engineering Managers
Family and General Practitioners 

Employers say they’re looking for applicants who:

  • have at least the minimum qualifications for the job
  • show up for work on time, every day, and work hard
  • are comfortable and proficient with today’s technology
  • work cooperatively as a team member
  • demonstrate an understanding of appropriate workplace appearance and hygiene
  • can be trusted and demonstrate integrity and honesty
  • write effectively, using clear and concise language
  • use appropriate language skills for the workplace and communicate well
  • have good customer service skills and behavior when dealing with clients
  • work well with a variety of people and embrace diversity
  • listen well and respond appropriately to verbal and nonverbal messages