When choosing a career path, the question of what, why, and where often emerges in most people’s minds, what are you passionate about or talented in? Why do you want to work in a particular industry? Better yet, where can you find a high demand for skills or services in the industry you’ve chosen?
Well, according to balancing everything, California ranks top five in the list of the best states for employment opportunities, and that’s not only because it is home to Hollywood.
And while there are numerous job opportunities in the Golden State, it seems to be among the states that witnessed an increase in truck driver shortage since the Covid-19 pandemic, which perhaps explains the spiked demand for truckers.
Read on to discover the highest in-demand jobs in California, including truck drivers.
Becoming an Independent Contractor
First things first, California’s economy beats the US as a nation and many other countries around the globe when it comes to things like GDP growth, the market value of companies, renewable energy, and much more. The Golden State is actually on its way to becoming the 4th largest economy on the planet.
This practically means that doing business here is literally a golden opportunity, especially as an independent contractor operating under a limited liability company structure. The good thing is that it is pretty easy to form a California LLC with a good registered agent, and the business structure comes with a decent load of benefits. As an independent contractor in California, you’ll literally be in control of how much you make, how much you earn, and how much you learn.
Highest In-Demand Jobs In California
1. Truck Drivers
Truck drivers are tasked with picking up, transporting, and dropping off packages from point A to point B. As of May 2021, the median annual earnings for light truck drivers were reported to be around $38,280, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Labor Department.
This figure has since increased by almost double digits, with the average trucker estimated to earn anything between $60,000 and $97,000 per year. The increase is believed to be in part due to the Covid-19 restrictions, lockdowns, and related factors that changed the way people spend and make purchases.
And even with the clash between environmentalists and truckers over the phasing out of combustion engines in CA by 2040 ongoing, the demand for truck drivers is unlikely to come down.
2. Registered Nurse
Registered nurses are in high demand due to the aging population. The Golden State’s population is projected to grow by nearly 10 million people over the next 20 years, and a large portion of those will be retirees. This will create a greater demand for healthcare services, and registered nurses will be needed to provide those services.
3. Business/Financial Specialists
Accountants and auditors are in high demand in California, specifically due to the ever-increasing reliance on technology in business. With businesses collecting and storing more data than ever before, they will need tech-savvy accountants and auditors to help them make sense of it all.
4. Elementary School Teachers
Being among the most populated states in the US, it is easy to expect a teacher shortage in California. This perhaps explains the lucrative annual mean wage of $85,110 taken home by elementary education teachers each year in California. This is not to forget that a recent report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics actually projected a 4%+ employment growth rate for elementary school teachers between 2019 and 2029.
5. Insurance Sales Representative
Insurance salespeople are required to promote and sell insurance to clients, and this is a vital part of the financial industry in California. Most insurance brokers and agents in the state are located in urban areas. Recent BLS statistics indicated that as of 2021, California had the highest number of insurance sales employees, indicating an annual mean wage of $79,280.
The demand for truck drivers has indeed skyrocketed in California, but that’s not the only high-demand job in the golden state. There are so many things to be excited about in terms of career opportunities in California, and most of them would pay very decently.
If you are currently looking for a new job in California or at least considering it, the above are just a few insights you might appreciate looking into.
