Home to the state's second-largest metro, the Northeast Region has a strong industrial sector, tied largely to the area's abundant natural resources.
Most of the manufacturing base centers on mining and forest products industries. More than half of the sector's employment is in paper and machinery manufacturing.
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1/28/2021 9:00:00 AM
Carson Gorecki
Nurses and Physicians are probably the two occupations that first come to mind when thinking of growing health care field. However, there are many different occupations with varying responsibilities and educational and training requirements for which the future is equally bright in Northeast Minnesota. Below are five in-demand occupations that may be less well known yet still present great opportunities for those interested in health care careers in Northeast Minnesota. Follow the links to learn even more:
First, Phlebotomists are specialists that draw blood from patients for medical tests, treatment, donation, or research. Phlebotomists are also responsible for maintaining equipment and accurate medical records. The typical education required to start as a Phlebotomist is a high school diploma or the equivalent. Most Phlebotomists will have some short-term on-the-job training or a certification. The median wage for Phlebotomists in Northeast Minnesota is $34,234 a year. Jobs in this occupation are expected to grow more than 20% by 2028 (see table 1).
Pharmacy Technicians are also in high demand in Northeast Minnesota. Pharmacy Technicians work under the direction of Pharmacists to measure, mix, count, label and record amounts and dosages of medications. While the projected growth of the occupation is a modest 1.1%, DEED’s Job Vacancy Survey for the second quarter of 2020 indicated almost 200 full-time vacancies in the region, none of which required more than a year of related experience. The median wage for Pharmacy Technicians is $36,308 a year and the median wage offer of recent postings is only slightly lower at $17.02 hourly, or $35,401 annually.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers are specialists at using ultrasonic technology and equipment to produce images and records of internal organs which aid in medical diagnoses and treatments. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers may concentrate on a certain area of anatomy or medicine such as Obstetrics and Gynecology. Also sometimes known as Ultrasound Techs, Diagnostic Medical Sonographer positions typically require an Associate degree in Sonography, but certificate and bachelor’s degree programs are options as well. In Northeast Minnesota, the median wage for Medical Sonographers is $77,388 a year, almost double the $39,571 median wage for all occupations. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers are expected to grow 3.3% through 2028.
Another occupation that typically requires an associate degree yet pays a high median wage is Surgical Technologists. Also known as Surgical Technicians and Scrub Technicians, Surgical Technologists assist in many aspects of surgical procedures. This may include preparing the operating room, equipment, and patients, and supporting other surgical staff during operations. The outlook for Surgical Technologists is bright; the occupation is projected to grow by 9.4% representing about 180 new openings from 2018-2028. The median annual wage for Surgical Technologists in Northeast Minnesota is $57,416 and the median wage offering for recent openings was $20.04 an hour, equivalent to a full-time annual salary of $41,683.
Lastly, health care is not limited to humans alone. Veterinary medicine is another option for those interested in pursuing an occupation in the field. Veterinary Technologists and Technicians prepare for and conduct medical and laboratory tests for use in the treatment and diagnosis of animals, maintain equipment and instruments, and assist Veterinarians. Getting started as a Veterinary Technologist or Technician typically requires an Associate degree and some short-term on-the-job training. The current median wage for Vet Techs in Northeast Minnesota is $36,328 per year. Vet Techs are projected to grow 15.4% by 2028, about 11 openings per year. An additional potential pathway into a Vet Tech position is some experience as a Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker, which is also expected to grow.
Table 1. Selected In-Demand Health Care Occupations in Northeast Minnesota, 2020
| Job Title | Median Wage | Regional Employment, 2020 | Planning Area Projected Growth Rate (2018-2028) | Planning Area Projected Openings (2018-2028) | Typical Education Requirements | Typical Training Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $66,583 | 5,100 | +5.7% | +2,822 | Associate degree | Short term on the job training |
| Home Health & Personal Care Aides | $27,244 | 6,540 | +23.6% | +7,571 | High school diploma or equivalent | Unavailable |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $36,308 | 550 | +1.1% | +432 | High school diploma or equivalent | Short term on the job training |
| Nursing Assistants | $33,249 | 2,630 | +4.1% | +3,209 | Postsecondary non-degree award | Short term on the job training |
| Phlebotomists | $34,234 | 180 | +20.2% | +352 | High school diploma or equivalent | Short term on the job training |
| Licensed Practical & Licensed Vocational Nurses | $45,331 | 990 | +7.3% | +905 | Postsecondary non-degree award | Short term on the job training |
| Psychiatric Technicians | $44,244 | 140 | n/a | n/a | High school diploma or equivalent | Short term on the job training |
| Veterinary Technologists & Technicians | $36,328 | 90 | +15.4% | +106 | Associate degree | Short term on the job training |
| Surgical Technologists | $57,416 | 240 | +9.4% | +180 | Associate degree | Short term on the job training |
| Medical Assistants | $41,349 | 700 | +13.9% | +1,015 | Postsecondary non-degree award | Short term on the job training |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | $58,245 | 60 | +4.2% | +41 | High school diploma or equivalent | Short term on the job training |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $78,372 | 60 | n/a | n/a | Postsecondary non-degree award | Unavailable |
| Respiratory Therapists | $62,648 | 100 | +3.8% | +76 | Associate degree | Short term on the job training |
| Orderlies | $35,918 | 40 | n/a | n/a | High school diploma or equivalent | Short term on the job training |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | $77,388 | 70 | +3.3% | +35 | Associate degree | Short term on the job training |
| Source: DEED Occupational Employment Statistics, Occupations in Demand | ||||||
These are just a few of the many promising health care occupations in the Northeast region. The diversity of work, educational requirements, and training show that there truly is something for everyone in the health care field.
Contact Northeast Minnesota Labor Market Analyst Carson Gorecki at 218-302-8413.
