26 out of 30 Minnesota jobs in demand right now don’t require a four-year degree

With COVID-19 magnifying the workforce challenges that existed before the virus, many Minnesota employers are in need of people to fill jobs in top demand. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has shared a list of the top 30 jobs in demand in the state based on job postings through its #GoodJobsNow campaign. Twenty-six out of the 30 jobs require less than a four-year degree, showing that there are in-demand positions in important sectors of the state’s economy ready right away for people looking for work. From registered nurses to medical assistants and truck drivers to first-line supervisors of production and operating workers, the list is regularly updated to reflect new job postings.

Each in-demand job listing includes a description of the position and a short video that shows a “day in the life” of the occupation. General statewide wage data, required education, and job search platforms to help interested Minnesotans start finding open jobs are also provided. There is also an interactive map for each job listing that shows job demand, wage ranges, and cost of living information for each region across the state.

Below are the top 30 jobs in demand and their wage ranges and required education. To find out more about other in-demand industries that don’t require a four-year degree, check out the Center’s “Great Jobs Without a Four-Year Degree” project.

Registered Nurses: $32.66 to $45.62 per hour; associate degree

Nursing Assistants: $14.90 to $19.29 per hour; vocational certificate

First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers: $16.99 to $27.07 per hour; high school diploma

Retail Salespersons: $11.34 to $16.02 per hour; high school diploma

Personal Care Aides: $12.27 to $15.21 per hour; high school diploma

Food Preparation and Serving Workers: $10.87 to $13.43 per hour; high school diploma

Social and Human Service Assistants: $14.49 to $21.40 per hour; high school diploma

Customer Service Representatives: $15.71 to $24.03 per hour; high school diploma

Licensed Practical and Vocational Nurses: $20.91 to 26.60 per hour; vocational certificate

Home Health Aides: $12.27 to $15.21 per hour; high school diploma

Helpers-Production Workers: $12.58 to $17.90 per hour; high school diploma

Software Developers, Applications: $39.21 to $61.09 per hour; bachelor’s degree

Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: $20.50 to $28.76 per hour; high school diploma

Light Truck or Delivery Services Drivers: $14.84 to $24.76 per hour; high school diploma

Cashiers: $11.10 to $13.95 per hour; high school diploma

First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers: $15.12 to $22.44 per hour; high school diploma

Marketing Managers: $50.96 to $82.36 per hour; bachelor’s degree

First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers: $22.26 to $36.49 per hour; high school diploma

Laborers and Freight, Stock and Material Movers: $13.81 to $20.64 per hour; high school diploma

Stock Clerks, Sales Floor: $12.50 to $18.31 per hour; high school diploma

Medical Assistants: $17.80 to $23.32 per hour; vocational training

Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders: $14.11 to $21.34 per hour; high school diploma

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: $26.00 to $38.48 per hour; high school diploma

Management Analysts: $31.05 to $50.46 per hour; bachelor’s degree

Maintenance and Repair Workers, General: $17.48 to $26.97 per hour; high school diploma

Food Service Managers: $22.28 to $34.12 per hour; high school diploma

Janitors and Cleaners: $12.73 to $18.90 per hour; high school diploma

Medical and Health Services Managers: $38.88 to $62.59 per hour; bachelor’s degree

Driver/Sales Workers: $11.16 to $17.27 per hour; high school diploma

Assemblers and Fabricators: $14.04 to $20.05 per hour; high school diploma