Wage and salary employment in State and local government is projected to
increase 11 percent during the 2004-14 period, slower than the 14-percent
growth projected for all sectors of the economy combined. Job growth will
stem from the rising demand for services at the State and local levels. An
increasing population and State and local government assumption of
responsibility for some services previously provided by the Federal
Government are fueling the growth of these services. Despite the increased
demand for the services of State and local governments, employment growth
will be dampened by budgetary constraints due to the rapidly increasing
proportion of revenues devoted to the Medicaid program, reductions in
Federal aid, especially at the county level, and public resistance to tax
increases. Outsourcing of government jobs to the private sector will also
limit employment in State and local government. When economic times are
good, many State and local governments increase spending on programs and
employment.
Professional and service occupations accounted for over half
of all jobs in State and local government. Most new jobs will stem from
steady demand for community and social services, health services, and
protective services. For example, increased demand for services for the
elderly, the mentally impaired, and children will result in steady growth in
the numbers of social workers, registered nurses, and recreation workers.
There will also be strong demand for information technology workers.
Employment of management, business, and financial occupations is
projected to grow at about the same rate as overall employment in State and
local government. Employment in office and administrative support
occupations in State and local government is expected to remain close to
current levels as these functions are increasingly outsourced to the private
sector..
Source: Bureau of Labor
Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook
Handbook, 2006-07 Edition
