by Hannah Johnson
Technology has changed our world. While some believe that technology is taking over the world and taking away jobs, and that is true, it is also making many more. The pressure to find a job out of high school and college continues to grow. While many may think Vermont is struggling with employment, the statistics say otherwise. Tech jobs in Vermont are growing at a very fast rate.
As of 2016, there were a total of 77,249 tech jobs. This represents a quarter of Vermont’s total employment. Out of the $14 billion in total annual Vermont wages, tech jobs generate $5.6 billion of that. Tech employment increased 8.3% from 2005 to 2015 in Vermont while the average employment only grew 1.2% for the same period.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Core jobs are occupations in the field of life and physical science, engineering, mathematics and information technology. STEM Health jobs are identified as health occupations. As of 2014, STEM Health employment comprised 59.6% of the tech industry while STEM Core made up 40.4% of tech jobs in Vermont.
A tech job in Vermont, on average, pays $72,732 which is 63.3% more than the average annual Vermont wage which is $44,540. Tech jobs also have a multiplier effect on other Vermont jobs. The Tech in Vermont group created a study that found for every STEM core job there is about two jobs also created. So, for every 100 tech jobs created, another 200 other jobs are created in Vermont.
Vttechjobs.com is run by Technical Connection Inc. (TCI) and has helped connect job seekers to employers in the tech field. Chris Johnson, Founder and CEO of TCI says they have helped over 2000 people within the last 20 years. “The software industry is very active and there is much less manufacturing going on than there used to be.”
They have recently filled positions like IT Support Specialists, Systems and Network Administrators, Database Administrators, IT Directors and Project Managers, IT Security Professionals, Business Intelligence Specialists, Mechanical, Electrical, and Industrial Engineers.
FASTEST GROWING JOBS IN VERMONT:
Professional Degree Fastest Growth
Growth
Openings
Med. Wage
Physical Therapists
2.00%
36
35.78
Nurse Practitioners
1.90%
21
na
Psychologists, All Other
1.90%
3
na
Optometrists
1.50%
6
60.59
Physician Assistants
1.40%
13
50.38
Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners, All Other
1.40%
8
31.04
Occupational Therapists
1.40%
7
34.54
Healthcare Social Workers
1.20%
15
22.16
Physicians and Surgeons, All Other
1.10%
17
90.00+
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
1.00%
3
na
Anesthesiologists
1.00%
3
90.00+
Nurse Midwives
1.00%
1
45.97
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
0.90%
5
na
Nurse Anesthetists
0.90%
1
72.7
Economists
0.90%
3
34.54
Chiropractors
0.80%
6
23.2
Veterinarians
0.80%
9
41.66
Bachelor's Degree Fastest Growth
Growth
Openings
Med. Wage
Operations Research Analysts
2.90%
3
34.9
Software Developers, Systems Software
2.30%
22
46.62
Computer Systems Analysts
2.10%
14
34.35
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
2.00%
54
23.76
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
1.90%
2
25.11
Personal Financial Advisors
1.60%
20
26.43
Conservation Scientists
1.60%
7
25.29
Software Developers, Applications
1.60%
26
37.31
Food Scientists and Technologists
1.50%
7
28.12
Management Analysts
1.50%
30
37.76
Marketing Managers
1.40%
18
51.6
Hydrologists
1.40%
2
36.6
Dietitians and Nutritionists
1.40%
3
na
Biological Technicians
1.30%
5
19.57
Environmental Engineers
1.30%
6
32.51
Chemists
1.30%
5
28.05
Medical and Health Services Managers
1.30%
30
40.53
Technical Writers
1.30%
3
27.48
Information Security Analysts
1.20%
2
35.6
High School Fastest Growth
Growth
Openings
Med. Wage
CNC Machine Tool Programmers, Metal and Plastic
2.60%
6
20.95
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
2.50%
35
24.1
Dental Laboratory Technicians
2.30%
2
21.84
Physical Therapist Aides
1.80%
4
na
Helpers--Electricians
1.80%
8
13.92
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other
1.70%
3
25.5
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers
1.60%
3
22.4
Maintenance Workers, Machinery
1.60%
4
20.31
Electricians
1.30%
40
21.84
Mechanical Door Repairers
1.20%
4
na
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
1.20%
20
20.52
Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic
1.20%
46
26.53
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
1.10%
2
14.01
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
1.10%
28
23.47
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
1.10%
9
37.12
Machinists
1.00%
29
19.05
Some College** Fastest Growth
Growth
Openings
Med. Wage
Physical Therapist Assistants
2.30%
7
25.06
Web Developers
2.20%
26
28.89
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
1.90%
2
24.81
Occupational Therapy Assistants
1.80%
2
25.55
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
1.60%
4
34.78
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
1.60%
11
16.26
Forest and Conservation Technicians
1.40%
3
15.61
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
1.30%
17
14.87
Computer User Support Specialists
1.20%
33
23.71
Phlebotomists
1.20%
10
15.5
Dietetic Technicians
1.10%
0
16.12
Electrical and Electronics Drafters
1.00%
1
36.71
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other
1.00%
1
20.65
Nursing Assistants
0.90%
116
13.13
Skincare Specialists
0.90%
4
26.89
Audio and Video Equipment Technicians
0.90%
3
14.66
Surgical Technologists
0.80%
2
18.78
Chemical Technicians
0.80%
4
23.02
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
0.80%
9
26.65
Respiratory Therapists
0.80%
7
28.33
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
0.80%
11
17.47
Firefighters
0.70%
8
18.28
*Med Wage is median wage based on 2015 data
Source: Vermont Department of Labor Economic and Labor Market Information 2014-2024 Long Term