Made in the USA—Jobs That Will Never Be Outsourced
18 stable careers that won't leave you jobsless due to offshoring.
For U.S. businesses seeking to cut operating costs, outsourcing—shifting jobs out of the United States to lower-wage foreign countries—is an increasingly popular practice. While the first jobs to be sent offshore were primarily in the textiles and manufacturing industries, services such as telemarketing and data entry were quick to follow. Believe it or not, but today, more and more seemingly safe, “white-collar” jobs are also vulnerable to moving overseas.
Innovations in technology revolutionized the workplace, creating millions of jobs requiring computer and other technical skills. Now, people in populous developing countries, like China and India, can perform these technical skills and are willing to work for less money. Many jobs can be outsourced now—so how can you recognize jobs that are vulnerable?
Jobs that are ideal for outsourcing overseas share the following characteristics:
- Technical, with standards that are objective and easily assessed
- Requires little effort to share and learn the necessary knowledge/skills
- Does not require direct physical contact with customers or colleagues
Before you send out your résumé, beware that these are jobs are targets for outsourcing:
- Analysis/Diagnostic
- Bill processing
- Bookkeeping and accounting
- Call center and technical support
- Computer operating and programming
- Data entry
- Paralegal
- Payroll and tax preparation
Have no fear, however, because we've identified jobs that will be forever safe from outsourcing. Try shipping these 18 jobs offshore–not going to happen!
Dental Assistant
- 2006 Total Employment: 280,000 jobs
- 2016 Total Projected Employment: 362,000 jobs
- Employment Growth Rate from 2006-2016: Increase over 29%
- 2006 Median Annual Pay: $30,222
Dental assistants work closely with dentists and perform a wide variety of hands-on tasks. They sterilize and arrange instruments and equipment. They greet and get patients ready for treatment and assist dentists during dental procedures. Flash your pearly whites and rest easy that this job is secure and demand is on the rise.
Physical Therapy Aide
- 2006 Total Employment: 46,000 jobs
- 2016 Total Projected Employment: 58,000
- Employment Growth Rate from 2006-2016: Increase 29%
- 2006 Median Annual Pay: $22,060
These aides assist physical therapists in a wide variety of tasks. They prepare and organize the treatment area for a patient's therapy. They also help patients settle into their treatment area and feel comfortable during therapy. Learn more about this on the rise—homegrown in the USA—career with opportunities for advancement.
Occupational Therapy Aide
- 2006 Total Employment: 8,200 jobs
- 2016 Total Projected Employment: 10,000
- Employment Growth Rate from 2006-2016: Increase 22%
- 2006 Median Annual Pay: $25,020
As middle age and elderly populations in the United States increase, the need for therapeutic services also grows. An Occupational Therapist Aide assists in helping patients re-enter the workforce and perform daily activities following an illness or surgery. In this job, you will set up equipment in person…schedule appointments and speak to patients in person…lift patients in person…order and restock supplies in person. Can you see a pattern here? The demand for this job is rising and simply can't be sent offshore.
Pharmacy Technician
- 2006 Total Employment: 285,000 jobs
- 2016 Total Projected Employment: 376,000
- Employment Growth Rate from 2006-2016: Increase 32%
- 2006 Median Annual Pay: $25,625
Depending on state laws, these technicians may directly prepare patient prescriptions, including measuring and mixing medications. They also verify patient information, make up prescription labels, prepare insurance claim forms, and much more. With this much responsibility at stake, do you want to outsource your health care to save money?
Fitness Professional
- 2006 Total Employment: 235,000 jobs
- 2016 Total Projected Employment: 298,000 jobs
- Employment Growth Rate from 2006-2016: Increase 27%
- 2006 Median Annual Pay: $25,910
Can you imagine receiving offshore motivation to “Make it burn!” via email or phone? We can't either! Fitness professionals are the living, breathing individuals who help us become our best—physically and mentally. It just doesn't work without the hands-on support and encouragement of someone nearby.
Teacher Aide
- 2006 Total Employment: 1,300,000 jobs
- 2016 Total Projected Employment: 1,449,000 jobs
- Employment Growth Rate from 2006-2016: Increase 10%
- 2006 Median Annual Pay: $20,740
Helping kids resolve conflicts during kickball, setting up today's hands-on science center, bandaging boo-boos, chaperoning field trips…these are just a few of the many ways that teacher aides help out in the classroom and care for students. There are some things—like giving individual attention to a child—that just can't be outsourced!
Child Day Care Management
- 2006 Total Employment: 1,400,000 jobs
- 2016 Total Projected Employment: 1,636,000 jobs
- Employment Growth Rate from 2006-2016: Increase 18%
- 2006 Median Annual Pay: $17,630 (variable upon education and type of work environment)
If you have young children and want to stay home with them—but you need to generate some income—consider opening and managing your own in-home day care center. Or, take your kids to work and start a career at an established center. Although childcare is often “outsourced” to nannies that come from around the world, many parents are figuring out ways to combine their love for family with the need for work. A parent's unique approach to childcare never can be replaced.
Auto Repair Technician
- 2006 Total Employment: 773,000 jobs
- 2016 Total Projected Employment: 883,000 jobs
- Employment Growth Rate from 2006-2016: Increase 14%
- 2006 Median Annual Pay: $33,779
Where do you go when you've got a problem with your belts, hoses, and plugs, or brake and fuel systems? These problems can't be solved over the phone with a simple instruction to “Reboot!” People need a competent technician who can perform immediate, hands-on repairs on their cars. Advancements in fuel-efficient and alternative-fuel automobiles will provide exciting and challenging jobs in the future!
Small Engine Repair
- 2006 Total Employment: 78,000 jobs
- 2016 Total Projected Employment: 87,000 jobs
- Employment Growth Rate from 2006-2016: Increase 12%
- 2006 Median Annual Pay: $26,915
What do chainsaws, jet skis, and lawn mowers all have in common? Yes, they are signs of summer, but more importantly for you, they all have small engines in need of maintenance and repair. If your neighbor's lawn mower goes on the blink—whom are they going to call? Not an offshore repair shop!
Motorcycle Repair Technician
- 2006 Total Employment: 21,000 jobs
- 2016 Total Projected Employment: 24,000 jobs
- Employment Growth Rate from 2006-2016: Increase 12%
- 2006 Median Annual Pay: $30,056
Gas prices are soaring—boosting recent motorcycle, moped, and motor scooter sales. With more of these vehicles on the road, the demand for motorcycle repair technicians can only go up, Up, UP. Rev your technical skills and get ready to work with everything from Harley Davidson's® to Suzuki's®, plus ATVs and snowmobiles. No chance for outsourcing here.
Diesel Mechanics
- 2006 Total Employment: 275,000 jobs
- 2016 Total Projected Employment: 306,000 jobs
- Employment Growth Rate from 2006-2016: Increase 11%
- 2006 Median Annual Pay: $37,668
Learn diesel mechanics and heavy truck maintenance skills, and start working on trucks, buses and more. Can you imagine what it would cost to ship one of these puppies overnight to an offshore repair shop? Not exactly a cost-effective business strategy! Cities will be looking to expand their mass transit systems, which means more jobs for skilled diesel mechanics.
Dog Obedience Trainer/Instructor
- 2006 Total Employment (Animal Trainers): 43,000 jobs
- 2016 Total Projected Employment (Animal Trainers): 53,000 jobs
- Employment Growth Rate from 2006-2016: Increase 23%
- 2006 Median Annual Pay: $26,312
Your inner Dog Whisperer is yearning to be free, and according to recent statistics, there is no shortage of dogs in need of training. In 2007, more than 43 million American households owned over 72 million dogs! No chance for outsourcing here—only the trainer with the treats will secure this job.
Pet Groomer
- Employment Growth Rate from 2006-2012: Increase 22%
- 2006 Median Annual Pay: $18,137
If you spend your days studying “Before” and “After” photos of bichon frise, poodle, and westie hairstyles, then becoming a Pet Groomer is for you. Properly grooming a pet is no small task—groomers not only must learn standard cat and dog hairstyles but also types, personalities, and handling. No other country in the world spoils their pets like we do, and no other person can do the job of a pet groomer like YOU can.
Veterinary Assistant
- 2006 Total Employment: 71,000 jobs
- 2016 Total Projected Employment: 100,000 jobs
- Employment Growth Rate from 2006-2016: Increase 41%
- 2006 Median Annual Pay: $26,790
More households have pets than ever before and they make over 2.5 visits to vets each year. With new advancements in veterinary care, pets also are living longer. This means more opportunities for you to secure a job caring for animals, preparing animals for treatment, and assisting during surgeries. Pet owners want YOU to care for their Fluffies and Dukes, not people over 6,000 miles away.
HVAC Technician
- 2006 Total Employment: 292,000 jobs
- 2016 Total Projected Employment: 317,000 jobs
- Employment Growth Rate from 2006-2016: Increase 9%
- 2006 Median Annual Pay: $37,668
People looking for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration repair and installation services won't go looking overseas. They need someone local and experienced. Take the chill out of outsourcing, and become a certified HVAC technician today.
Plumber
- 2006 Total Employment (pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters): 569,000 jobs
- 2016 Total Projected Employment (pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters): 628,000 jobs
- Employment Growth Rate from 2006-2016: Increase 10%
- 2006 Median Annual Pay: $42,764
Plumbing is a career that needs people working in the trenches—not phoning in from overseas. Need a drain unclogged or a new shower installed? You're going to depend on someone local, trustworthy, and reasonable—there's just no way to get the job done remotely. The demand for well-qualified plumbers is high, and opportunities vary from commercial to residential, and from water to gas to waste disposal systems.
Electrician
- 2006 Total Employment: 705,000 jobs
- 2016 Total Projected Employment: 757,000 jobs
- Employment Growth Rate from 2006-2016: Increase 7%
- 2006 Median Annual Pay: $43,617
Plug in to electrical skills today! Job opportunities are on the rise for individuals with a diverse set of skills—including voice, data, and video wiring. This hands-on job requires the presence of a highly skilled professional and won't be outsourced—the commute just doesn't make sense.
Small Business Owner
- 26.8 million small businesses in 2006
- 52% of small businesses are home-based
- Small businesses pay more than 45% of the total U.S. private payroll
- Small businesses hire 40% of high-tech workers
Learn the necessary skills to make your dream of owning a small business a reality. You'll learn everything from writing a business plan to complying with legal regulations to preparing a budget. Who else but YOU can start your own small business? Of course, after your business is a flurry of activity, you may need to hire an offshore personal assistant to schedule your dentist and haircut appointments...
Only YOU can do these jobs with your feet planted firmly in the USA. Visit our online courses section to get more information about programs that will can you succeed.
