The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts these occupations will have the greatest number of job openings through 2018. Most require little training but also pay very little. If you need an immediate source of cash, this could be a way to get it. Remember that the median wage given here should serve only as a point-of-reference. Earnings vary by employer and depend on factors including experience, training, and location.
Sources:
CareerOneStop, Occupations With the Most Job Openings
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011
O*NET OnLine
1. Cashier
Cashiers work in supermarkets, department stores, gas stations, movie theaters, as well as in other businesses. They usually receive short-term on-the-job training. Cashiers earned a median hourly wage of $8.57 in 2009. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much cashiers currently earn in your city.
2. Retail Salesperson
Retail salespeople assist customers. They receive most of their training on the job. The median hourly earnings of retail salespersons were $9.74 in 2009. That figure includes commissions. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much retail salespeople currently earn in your city.
3. Waiter and Waitress
Waiters and waitresses serve food and beverages to restaurant clientele. They receive short-term on-the-job training. The median hourly wage for waiters and waitresses was $8.50 in 2009, which includes tips. Tips usually range from 10% to 20% of the total bill and are usually given at the customer's discretion. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much waiters and waitresses currently earn in your city.
4. Customer Service Representatives
Customer service representatives help customers with their questions and concerns. They receive moderate on-the-job training. Customer service representatives earned a median hourly wage of $14.56 in 2009. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much customer service representatives currently earn in your city.
5. Registered Nurse
Most registered nurses providing direct patient care in hospitals . A registered nurse must have either a bachelor's of science degree in nursing, an associate degree in nursing, or a diploma issued by a hospital. Registered nurses earned a median annual salary of $63,750 in 2009. This is one of the highest paying occupations on this list, and also requires more training than all but one other occupation. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much registered nurses currently earn in your city.
6. Food Preparation and Serving Workers (including fast food)
Food preparation workers serve customers in fast food restaurants and in restaurants that specialize in carry-out service. They receive short-term on-the-job training. Earnings vary greatly by type of job and by location. Median hourly earnings for food preparation workers were $8.28 in 2009. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much food preparation workers and serving workers currently earn in your city.
7. General Office Clerk
General office clerks carry out various duties which may change on a daily basis. They receive short-term on-the-job training. Median annual earnings of general office clerks were $26,140 in 2009. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much general office clerks currently earn in your city.
8. Laborers and Hand Material Movers
Laborers and hand material movers manually move freight, stock and other materials. They receive short-term on-the-job training. Laborers and hand material movers earned median hourly wages of $11.11 in 2009. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much laborers and hand material movers currently earn in your city.
9. Elementary School Teachers
Elementary school teachers have the highest educational requirements of all occupations on this list—a minimum of a bachelor's degree is required by all states with some states requiring a master's degree—but their median earnings were also highest. Elementary school teachers earned a median annual salary of $50,510 in 2009.
10. Stock Clerks and Order Fillers
Stock clerks receive, unpack and get merchandise ready for sale at stores and warehouses. Order fillers complete customers' orders that have been submitted by phone, the Web or mail. They receive on-the-job training. Stock clerks and order fillers earned median hourly wages of $10.08 in 2009.
