Hot Jobs in the Power Sector

In recent years with high paying IT jobs being shipped to places like India and South America where labour is cheap, North America seem to be in a funk. Not anymore, new high paying jobs are fanning the winds of change.

"White-hot jobs are opening up in the power sector." So claims this article by Heather Boerner, for Yahoo! HotJobs.

"These aren't just hot jobs, they're sizzling jobs," said Christine Real de Azua, spokeswoman for the American Wind Energy Association. Wind energy grew by 45 percent last year. "We need every type of job candidate."

With soaring oil prices the demand for other sources of energy is on the rise and is expected to remain high for the next 10 years or more. Engeenering jobs abound. From installing solar panels, repairing wind turbines to running a nuclear reactor.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and energy leaders reveal what fields are expected to grow, and they are listed below with projected growth levels through 2016, salary data, and what you need to get a related job.

Engineers

11 percent projected growth

$44,790-$145,600 annually, depending on specialty

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

11 percent projected growth

$35,590-$75,240 annually

Industrial Machinery Mechanic

9 percent projected growth

$42,350 median annual income Check out the link to see the job descriptions for these positions and others. This is good news if you are a skilled worker in any of these areas. Some of them do not even require post-high school education although you would need an apprenticeship through a union or other skilled trade group. The programs typically take approximately four years to complete.