This story originally appeared on SmartAsset.com.
The job market is constantly changing. Jobs in a certain field and geographic area may be abundant in one decade only to experience a sharp decline in the next. This can be because of many factors, including migration patterns and technological advances, that eliminate positions and industries from parts of the country.
That can make it more difficult for workers to earn and save money. With those shifts in mind, SmartAsset decided to find the fastest-disappearing job in each state.
To do so, we analyzed data for 2015 and 2019 (the latest year available) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for each of the 50 states as well as the District of Columbia.
We filtered out any occupation for which the standard error for the estimated number of people employed in the occupation was greater than 20. We also filtered out any occupation with “other” in the title. To rank the occupations, we considered the percentage change in people employed in each occupation over this five-year period.
All data, including earnings data, comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupation Employment Statistics. First, we’ll cover larger trends and then share state-by-state numbers.
Office and administrative support occupations
Office and administrative support occupations is the hardest hit industry category in 11 states — Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and West Virginia — as well as in the District of Columbia.
The fastest-disappearing jobs in these states include telephone operators, word processors and typists, proofreaders and copy markers, and statistical assistants and procurement clerks.
The biggest drop in this industry category came in Utah, where the number of telephone operators decreased by more than 95% in the five-year period from 2015 through
2019 — also the largest drop in the entire study. It is important to note that none of these jobs (though full earnings data was not available for word processors and typists in Mississippi) saw a decrease in average earnings in that period.
In Georgia, while the number of statistical assistant jobs fell by nearly 89%, the average earnings actually increased by more than 83%, from $28,010 to $51,400. This was the largest increase in salary for any of the jobs in this study.
Production occupations
The fastest-disappearing jobs in eight states — Alabama, Arizona, Maryland, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Texas — fall within the industry category of production occupations.
Some of the individual occupations represented here include dental laboratory technicians in Arizona (61% decrease); painting, coating and decorating workers in Pennsylvania (74% decrease) and textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders in Alabama (75% decrease).
The fastest-shrinking job in this industry category is gas plant operators in Maryland, where the number of employees in the occupation decreased by about 80% in the five-year period from 2015 through 2019.
Arts, design, sports and media occupations
There are six states whose fastest-shrinking jobs fall into the industry category of arts, design, sports and media occupations: California, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Virginia and Wisconsin.
The fastest-disappearing job in five of these six states is that of music directors and composers, with declines in the number of such employees ranging from 56% in Virginia to almost 83% in Wisconsin.
In Minnesota, the fastest-disappearing job was that of set and exhibit designers, with a drop in the number of employees exceeding 70% in the five years from 2015 through 2019. Average earnings for set and exhibit designers in Minnesota increased during this time, however — albeit marginally — from $55,780 in 2015 to $56,540 in 2019.
Transportation and material moving occupations
BLS data shows that five states claim the transportation and material moving occupations industry as their fastest-disappearing jobs. These states are Florida, Iowa, New Jersey, Ohio and Washington.
Some of the jobs most affected are motorboat operators in Florida and conveyor operators and tenders in New Jersey. We see the largest decline in Washington state, where the number of non-emergency ambulance drivers and attendants fell by nearly 95% in the five years from 2015 through 2019. Washington was also one of the few states to see a drop in salary for these workers over this time period, a decrease of 5.49%.
Other jobs
There are a number of other jobs whose workforces shrank rapidly in recent years. Some of these include:
- Boilermakers in Oregon (part of the larger industry of construction and extraction occupations), with a 91.3% decrease in the number of workers from 2015 through 2019.
- Nuclear engineers in Nebraska (part of the larger industry of architecture and engineering occupations), which saw a shrinkage in its workforce of 85.71% over the same five years.
- Legislators in both Rhode Island and Tennessee (part of the larger industry of management occupations), where the five-year decreases were 64.71% and 73.68%, respectively.
The largest five-year decrease in average earnings for a state’s fastest-disappearing job was in Hawaii, where religious activities and education directors saw a salary decrease of 10.95%.
Up next, check out the stats behind the fastest-disappearing job in each state.
Alabama
Fastest-disappearing job: textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders
2015 workers: 530
2019 workers: 130
Five-year change in number of workers: 75% decrease
People with this job “operate or tend machines to bleach, shrink, wash, dye, or finish textiles or synthetic or glass fibers,” according to the BLS. The median pay for this job is $28,780.
Alaska
Fastest-disappearing job: oil and gas laborers
2015 workers: 830
2019 workers: 240
Five-year change in number of workers: 71% decrease
Laborers in the oil and gas industry earn about $14 per hour, according to the BLS.
Arizona
Fastest-disappearing job: dental laboratory technicians
2015 workers: 1,240
2019 workers: 480
Five-year change in number of workers: 61% decrease
Dental laboratory technicians “construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances,” according to the BLS, and their median pay is $38,670 per year.
Arkansas
Fastest-disappearing job: middle school career/technical education teachers
2015 workers: 180
2019 workers: 60
Five-year change in number of workers: 67% decrease
Middle school career and technical education teachers have a median annual pay of $60,800, according to the BLS.
California
Fastest-disappearing job: music directors and composers
2015 workers: 2,650
2019 workers: 870
Five-year change in number of workers: 67% decrease
Music directors and composers is a job category that includes “arrangers, composers, choral directors, and orchestrators,” according to the BLS. Their median pay is $49,630 per year.
Colorado
Fastest-disappearing job: telemarketers
2015 workers: 7,010
2019 workers: 2,040
Five-year change in number of workers: 71% decrease
Telemarketers have an annual median pay of $25,250, according to the BLS.
Connecticut
Fastest-disappearing job: demonstrators and product promoters
2015 workers: 1,310
2019 workers: 330
Five-year change in number of workers: 75% decrease
Demonstrators and product promoters earn a median annual wage of $28,960, according to the BLS.
Delaware
Fastest-disappearing job: physical therapist aides
2015 workers: 390
2019 workers: 160
Five-year change in number of workers: 59% decrease
Physical therapist aides “perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations” which “include preparing the patient and the treatment area,” according to the BLS. Their median annual wage is $27,000.
District of Columbia
Fastest-disappearing job: clerical library assistants
2015 workers: 470
2019 workers: 80
Five-year change in number of workers: 83% decrease
Clerical library assistants “compile records, and sort, shelve, issue, and receive library materials” and earn a median annual wage of $27,490, according to the BLS.
Florida
Fastest-disappearing job: motorboat operators
2015 workers: 1,290
2019 workers: 310
Five-year change in number of workers: 76% decrease
Motorboat operators earn a median annual wage of $48,260, according to the BLS.
Georgia
Fastest-disappearing job: statistical assistants
2015 workers: 2,170
2019 workers: 240
Five-year change in number of workers: 89% decrease
Statistical assistants compile data and “may perform actuarial computations and compile charts and graphs for use by actuaries,” according to the BLS. They earn a median annual wage of $49,870.
Hawaii
Fastest-disappearing job: directors of religious activities and education
2015 workers: 370
2019 workers: 130
Five-year change in number of workers: 65% decrease
Directors of religious activities and education “plan, direct, or coordinate programs designed to promote the religious education or activities of a denominational group,” and earn a median annual wage of $40,810, according to the BLS.
Idaho
Fastest-disappearing job: weighers, measurers, checkers and samplers for recordkeeping
2015 workers: 350
2019 workers: 90
Five-year change in number of workers: 74% decrease
These workers earn a median annual wage of $30,180, according to the BLS.
lllinois
Fastest-disappearing job: telephone operators
2015 workers: 670
2019 workers: 120
Five-year change in number of workers: 82% decrease
Telephone operators “may handle emergency calls and assist children or people with physical disabilities to make telephone calls,” according to the BLS. They make a median annual wage of $35,750.
Indiana
Fastest-disappearing job: music directors and composers
2015 workers: 550
2019 workers: 100
Five-year change in number of workers: 82% decrease
Music directors and composers is a category that includes “arrangers, composers, choral directors, and orchestrators,” according to the BLS. Their median pay is $49,630 per year.
lowa
Fastest-disappearing job: hand packers and packagers
2015 workers: 9,980
2019 workers: 3,330
Five-year change in number of workers: 67% decrease
Hand packers and packagers earn a median annual wage of $24,580, according to the BLS.
Kansas
Fastest-disappearing job: music directors and composers
2015 workers: 340
2019 workers: 60
Five-year change in number of workers: 82% decrease
Music directors and composers — workers who “conduct, direct, plan and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs” — earn a median wage of $49,630 per year, according to the BLS.
Kentucky
Fastest-disappearing job: proofreaders and copy markers
2015 workers: 160
2019 workers: 40
Five-year change in number of workers: 75% decrease
Proofreaders and copy markers earn a median annual wage of $37,550, according to the BLS.
Louisiana
Fastest-disappearing job: operations research analysts
2015 workers: 1,140
2019 workers: 210
Five-year change in number of workers: 82% decrease
Operations research analysts “formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decisionmaking, policy formulation, or other managerial functions,” according to the BLS. They earn a median annual wage of $84,810.
Maine
Fastest-disappearing job: rehabilitation counselors
2015 workers: 720
2019 workers: 240
Five-year change in number of workers: 67% decrease
Rehabilitation counselors “counsel individuals to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties that result from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents, aging, or the stress of daily life,” according to the BLS. They make an average annual wage of $35,950.
Maryland
Fastest-disappearing job: gas plant operators
2015 workers: 250
2019 workers: 50
Five-year change in number of workers: 80% decrease
Gas plant operators earn a median annual wage of $71,070, according to the BLS.
Massachusetts
Fastest-disappearing job: middle school career/technical education teachers
2015 workers: 420
2019 workers: 150
Five-year change in number of workers: 64% decrease
Middle school career and technical education teachers have a median annual pay of $60,800, according to the BLS.
Michigan
Fastest-disappearing job: telephone operators
2015 workers: 330
2019 workers: 90
Five-year change in number of workers: 73% decrease
Telephone operators “may handle emergency calls and assist children or people with physical disabilities to make telephone calls,” according to the BLS. They make a median annual wage of $35,750.
Minnesota
Fastest-disappearing job: set and exhibit designers
2015 workers: 440
2019 workers: 130
Five-year change in number of workers: 70% decrease
Set and exhibit designers, who “design special exhibits and movie, television, and theater sets,” earn a median annual wage of $54,270, according to the BLS.
Mississippi
Fastest-disappearing job: word processors and typists
2015 workers: 350
2019 workers: 100
Five-year change in number of workers: 71% decrease
Word processors and typists earn a median annual wage of $39,750, according to the BLS.
Missouri
Fastest-disappearing job: telemarketers
2015 workers: 7,600
2019 workers: 2,510
Five-year change in number of workers: 67% decrease
Telemarketers have an annual median pay of $25,250, according to the BLS.
Montana
Fastest-disappearing job: secondary school career/technical education teachers
2015 workers: 190
2019 workers: 60
Five-year change in number of workers: 68% decrease
Secondary school career and technical education teachers earn a median annual wage of $60,250, according to the BLS.
Nebraska
Fastest-disappearing job: nuclear engineers
2015 workers: 210
2019 workers: 30
Five-year change in number of workers: 86% decrease
Nuclear engineers research or work on “problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal,” according to the BLS, and earn a median annual wage of $113,460.
Nevada
Fastest-disappearing job: production worker helpers
2015 workers: 1,630
2019 workers: 680
Five-year change in number of workers: 58% decrease
Production worker helpers, who perform duties requiring less skill such as “supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment,” earn a median annual wage of $26,070, according to the BLS.
New Hampshire
Fastest-disappearing job: postsecondary atmospheric, earth, marine and space sciences teachers
2015 workers: 130
2019 workers: 50
Five-year change in number of workers: 62% decrease
These workers “teach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics” and earn a median annual wage of $90,860, according to the BLS.
New Jersey
Fastest-disappearing job: conveyor operators and tenders
2015 workers: 500
2019 workers: 70
Five-year change in number of workers: 86% decrease
Conveyor operators and tenders earn a median annual wage of $32,980, according to the BLS.
New Mexico
Fastest-disappearing job: private detectives and investigators
2015 workers: 330
2019 workers: 70
Five-year change in number of workers: 79% decrease
Private detectives and investigators earn a median annual wage of $50,510, according to the BLS.
New York
Fastest-disappearing job: metal and plastic drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators and tenders
2015 workers: 420
2019 workers: 120
Five-year change in number of workers: 71% decrease
These workers earn a median annual wage of $38,910, according to the BLS.
North Carolina
Fastest-disappearing job: word processors and typists
2015 workers: 800
2019 workers: 190
Five-year change in number of workers: 76% decrease
Word processors and typists earn a median annual wage of $39,750, according to the BLS.
North Dakota
Fastest-disappearing job: procurement clerks
2015 workers: 440
2019 workers: 90
Five-year change in number of workers: 80% decrease
Procurement clerks “compile information and records to draw up purchase orders,” and earn a median annual wage of $43,310, according to the BLS.
Ohio
Fastest-disappearing job: machine feeders and offbearers
2015 workers: 5,080
2019 workers: 1,610
Five-year change in number of workers: 68% decrease
Machine feeders and offbearers earn a median annual wage of $28,510, according to the BLS.
Oklahoma
Fastest-disappearing job: production worker helpers
2015 workers: 6,710
2019 workers: 2,580
Five-year change in number of workers: 62% decrease
Production worker helpers earn a median annual wage of $26,070, according to the BLS.
Oregon
Fastest-disappearing job: boilermakers
2015 workers: 460
2019 workers: 40
Five-year change in number of workers: 91% decrease
Boilermakers earn a median annual wage of $63,100, according to the BLS.
Pennsylvania
Fastest-disappearing job: painting, coating and decorating workers
2015 workers: 700
2019 workers: 180
Five-year change in number of workers: 74% decrease
This category excludes artists and designers and instead focuses on those who work with “articles, such as furniture, glass, plateware, pottery, jewelry, toys, books, or leather,” according to the BLS. They earn a median annual wage of $31,050.
Rhode Island
Fastest-disappearing job: legislators
2015 workers: 170
2019 workers: 60
Five-year change in number of workers: 65% decrease
Legislators, a category that includes only workers in elected positions, earn a median annual wage of $29,270, according to the BLS.
South Carolina
Fastest-disappearing job: office machine operators (except computer)
2015 workers: 900
2019 workers: 50
Five-year change in number of workers: 94% decrease
Office machine operators work with equipment such as “photocopying, photographic, and duplicating machines, or other office machines,” according to the BLS. They earn a median annual wage of $33,450.
South Dakota
Fastest-disappearing job: telemarketers
2015 workers: 1,020
2019 workers: 280
Five-year change in number of workers: 73% decrease
Telemarketers have an annual median pay of $25,250, according to the BLS.
Tennessee
Fastest-disappearing job: legislators
2015 workers: 1,330
2019 workers: 350
Five-year change in number of workers: 74% decrease
Legislators earn a median annual wage of $29,270, according to the BLS.
Texas
Fastest-disappearing job: metal and plastic forging machine setters, operators and tenders
2015 workers: 2,110
2019 workers: 810
Five-year change in number of workers: 62% decrease
These workers earn a median annual wage of $39,670, according to the BLS.
Utah
Fastest-disappearing job: telephone operators
2015 workers: 1,310
2019 workers: 60
Five-year change in number of workers: 95% decrease
Telephone operators “may handle emergency calls and assist children or people with physical disabilities to make telephone calls,” according to the BLS. They make a median annual wage of $35,750.
Vermont
Fastest-disappearing job: dispensing opticians
2015 workers: 140
2019 workers: 60
Five-year change in number of workers: 57% decrease
Dispensing opticians “design, measure, fit, and adapt lenses and frames for clients according to written optical prescription or specification,” according to the BLS. They earn a median annual wage of $37,840.
Virginia
Fastest-disappearing job: music directors and composers
2015 workers: 660
2019 workers: 290
Five-year change in number of workers: 56% decrease
Music directors and composers is a category that includes “arrangers, composers, choral directors, and orchestrators,” according to the BLS. Their median pay is $49,630 per year.
Washington
Fastest-disappearing job: ambulance drivers and attendants (except emergency medical technicians)
2015 workers: 980
2019 workers: 50
Five-year change in number of workers: 95% decrease
These workers earn a median annual wage of $25,890, according to the BLS.
West Virginia
Fastest-disappearing job: eligibility interviewers for government programs
2015 workers: 810
2019 workers: 130
Five-year change in number of workers: 84% decrease
Eligibility interviewers assess potential applicants for “welfare, unemployment benefits, Social Security, and public housing,” according to the BLS. They earn a median annual wage of $46,020.
Wisconsin
Fastest-disappearing job: music directors and composers
2015 workers: 460
2019 workers: 80
Five-year change in number of workers: 83% decrease
Music directors and composers earn a median wage of $49,630 per year, according to the BLS.
Wyoming
Fastest-disappearing job: oil and gas rig operators
2015 workers: 780
2019 workers: 190
Five-year change in number of workers: 76% decrease
Derrick operators earn a median annual wage of $46,990, according to the BLS.
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