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Jobs that will never be Outsourced

These jobs will never leave the United States

There are many reasons that businesses choose to outsource different jobs, but the primary reason is cost. Companies are always looking for ways to increase their bottom lines and outsourcing normally cuts operating costs, thereby increasing profits. Many companies which provide outsourcing are able to offer the same services at a reduced cost because they don't pay their workers as high a wage, provide no employee benefits and have fewer overhead expenses. Here in the U.S., many “white collar” jobs that were considered safe from outsourcing in the past are now being exported overseas.

Innovations in technology suggest the world is now "flat" in the sense that globalization has leveled the competitive playing fields between industrial and emerging market countries. To a worker in America, this means that someone working from a computer in India or China can do the same job for lower wages. Historical and geographical divisions are no longer relevant.

When you are planning your educational goals, it would be wise to keep in mind some of the following jobs which are ideal for outsourcing:

Payroll and tax preparation
Accounting and Bookkeeping
Data Entry
Bill Processing
Diagnostic/Analysis
Computer programming and operating
Call center and technical support
Paralegal

If you look carefully at these jobs, you will notice some characteristics which they all have in common and which make them vulnerable to outsourcing. For one, they do not require direct physical contact with a customer or even with colleagues. Most job duties can be performed either over the telephone or internet. Secondly, they require little effort to learn the necessary skills to perform these services. And lastly, they are mostly technical positions, with standards that are easily accessed and completed.

The good news is that there is a comprehensive listing of jobs which should remain safe from outsourcing. If you will be entering the job market shortly or in the near future, you might consider one of these positions to ensure job stability.

Dental Assistant

Total Employment as of 2006: 280,000 jobs
Total Projected Employment as of 2016: 362,000 jobs
Employment Growth Rate: Increase of over 29%
Annual Median Salary in 2006: $30,222

Dental assistants perform a number of duties in a dentist's office. Some of their tasks may be clerical. Dental assistants who perform office duties can schedule appointments, keep records, receive payments from patients, and order supplies. When patients come to the office, dental assistants locate their medical records for the dentist's use. Dental assistants also prepare patients for examination.

They perform chair-side duties, such as handing the dentist the proper materials and tools. Dental assistants often operate X-ray machines. Sometimes they make an impression of a patient's mouth or teeth. They may also sterilize instruments, develop X-rays, and mix compounds for cleaning or filling teeth. The demand for qualified dental assistants is expected to rise over the coming years and by its nature, cannot be outsourced.

Fitness Professional

Total Employment as of 2006: 235,000 jobs
Total Projected Employment as of 2016: 298,000 jobs
Employment Growth Rate: Increase of 27%
Annual Median Salary in 2006: $25,910

Fitness professionals provide both one-on-one and group fitness instruction to people desiring a program tailored to their specific needs. They also evaluate their clients' physical fitness and keep track of their progress. Fitness professionals typically conduct sessions at a health club or a client's home. An important aspect of their job is to develop programs and choose exercises that provide the optimum results and take into account the activities their clients enjoy. They act as motivators who push clients to their physical limits. If a client has suffered an athletic injury, the fitness trainer may create a special rehabilitation program. Trainers must be able to demonstrate the movements and exercises recommended. Due to the “hands on” nature of the fitness industry, this field will continue to grow and will not be subject to outsourcing.

Physical Therapy Aide

Total Employment as of 2006: 46,000 jobs
Total Projected Employment as of 2016: 58,000 jobs
Employment Growth Rate: Increase of 29%
Annual Median Salary in 2006: $22,060

A physical therapist aide's duties are mainly to assist physical therapists in a variety of tasks. This can include keeping the treatment area clean and organized, preparing patients for their therapy treatment, and helping patients move to and from the treatment area. It can also include some clerical work, such as ordering and organizing supplies. All jobs in any way related to the healthcare industry are expected to show enormous growth over the next few years and since this particular job involves direct contact with patients, outsourcing is not an option.

Teacher Aide

Total Employment as of 2006: 1,300,000 jobs
Total Projected Employment as of 2016: 1,449,000 jobs
Employment Growth Rate: Increase of 10%
Annual Median Salary in 2006: $20,740

Teacher aides assist teachers with classroom instruction. Positions in this field are usually available at the elementary or secondary school level, and most individuals choose an age group with which they feel most comfortable. Teacher aides can also be called upon to perform clerical tasks, including filing student records, taking attendance, typing, or making copies of tests and other instructional paperwork. They sometimes are responsible for helping maintain classroom discipline, along with the teacher. There is no worry of outsourcing in a career field such as teacher aide.

Small Business Owner

52% of small businesses are home-based
Small businesses totaled 26.8 million in 2006
More than 45% of the total U.S. private payroll is paid by small businesses
40% of high-tech workers are employed by small businesses

Small business owners manage their own companies. These small businesses include not only retail stores such as gift shops and bookstores but also real estate, advertising, and employment agencies. Franchise operations such as fast food restaurants and gas stations are also included in the small business marketplace. In addition, many freelancers and consultants in various fields run their own businesses. Companies which have revenues of less than $6.5 million annually are normally considered small businesses. This is an area of the marketplace which will remain stable in the near future and offers great opportunity for those individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit.

Occupational Therapy Aide

Total Employment as of 2006: 8,200 jobs
Total Projected Employment as of 2016: 10,000 jobs
Employment Growth Rate: Increase of 22%
Annual Median Salary in 2006: $25,020

There will be a large increase in the number of the middle age and elderly individuals over the next few years and the need for occupational therapy treatments will grow right along with it. An occupational therapy aide provides support services for these therapy treatments through a hospital or similar institution. This can include transporting patients, assembling equipment, and preparing and maintaining work areas. The therapy aide also maintains equipment and supplies and may help the professional staff demonstrate therapy techniques to the patients. As the U.S. population ages, this job, like others affiliated with the healthcare industry, will continue to need qualified, educated workers to keep up with the demand.

Pharmacy Technician

Total Employment in 2006: 285,000
Total Projected Employment as of 2016: 376,000 jobs
Employment Growth Rate: Increase of 32%
Annual Median Salary in 2006: $25,625

A pharmacy technician assists the registered pharmacist in many different ways. Depending on state laws, some may directly prepare patient prescriptions, including measuring and mixing the medications. They also receive the written prescription or refill request and verify that all the information is correct. The technician also helps maintain the proper storage and security for the entire drug supply. Clerical work, such as preparing and processing insurance claims, is another aspect of the pharmacy technician's job. The healthcare and pharmaceutical industries are two of the largest and fastest growing areas of the job market and businesses in these markets will always need highly-trained and responsible employees.

HVAC Technician

Total Employment in 2006: 292,000 jobs
Total Projected Employment in 2016: 317,000 jobs
Employment Growth Rate: Increase of 9%
Annual Median Salary in 2006: $37,668

Advances in technology, the renovation of older homes, and new construction of homes and businesses have all played a role in the continued growth of the Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry. HVAC technicians deal with everything from the installation of these units to the maintenance of them. Sometimes they might even be involved with the actual design of a home or building HVAC system. Individuals who choose this career path will work in all types of situations, including cramped spaces, dirty and dusty locations, and cold and hot conditions. But the positive aspects are a never-ending supply of customers and a meaningful career choice for individuals with mechanical aptitude.

Plumber

Total Employment in 2006 (including pipelayers, pipefitters, plumbers, and steamfitters): 569,000 jobs
Total Projected Employment in 2016: 628,000 jobs
Employment Growth Rate: Increase of 10%
Annual Median Salary: $42,764

Most people think of a plumbing professional as someone you call in an emergency and they arrive at your home to unclog a drain or fix a leak. But a career in the plumbing industry can involve a lot more than this. In new construction, plumbers review blueprints and ensure that building codes and specifications are met. They locate and mark the actual position of pipe installations, connections and fixtures throughout the new building. Plumbers also install underground storm, sanitary and water piping systems. With infrastructure throughout the country showing signs of aging and deterioration (especially the old and crumbling water system), highly skilled plumbing professionals will be in great demand throughout the coming years.

Electrician

Total Employment in 2006: 705,000 jobs
Total Projected Employment in 2016: 757,000
Employment Growth Rate: Increase of 7%
Annual Median Salary: $43,617

Many electricians work in the new construction industry. They are responsible for installing the electrical lines for homes and businesses and also positioning and mounting all of the circuit breakers, outlets, and switches. Some work with low voltage wiring which includes laying the lines for telephones, security cameras, security systems, home theatre systems, and fire alarms. Electricians have many duties which they may perform depending on which industry they are involved with. These include reading blueprints, working closely with architects, contractors or engineers, and making sure that all electrical components meet architectural and code specifications. This is a highly skilled profession and individuals who choose this career can be certain that there will always be a demand for well-trained electricians.

Child Day Care Management

Total Employment in 2006: 1,400,000 jobs
Total Projected Employment in 2016: 1,636,000 jobs
Employment Growth Rate: Increase of 18%
Annual Median Salary: $17,630 (depending on level of education and type of work environment)

The manager of a child day care establishment is responsible for many important tasks. Successful child day care managers earn the trust of parents and guardians by providing the highest quality services to their children. This includes offering a clean and safe environment, quality programs, and basically overseeing every aspect of the child care facility. A day care manager also helps develop classroom schedules and ensures that the number of caregivers is adequate to safely monitor the children and their activities. This position can also include handling the paperwork associated with a business such as this; progress reports for the children, attendance records, receipts and work orders. As more and more parents enter the workforce in the coming years, the need for quality child care businesses will grow, also. Parents will demand excellent facilities and that will include providing a staff which is highly trained and caring. A career as a child day care manager offers a great opportunity for those individuals who are motivated, well-trained, and dedicated.

Veterinary Assistant

Total Employment in 2006: 71,000 jobs
Total Projected Employment in 2016: 100,000 jobs
Employment Growth Rate: Increase of 41%
Annual Median Salary: $26,790

The number of household pets continues to grow and pet owners average nearly three visits to the vet each year. A career as a veterinary assistant offers a rewarding job for individuals who have a sense of caring for animals but who also understand that in emergency situations, it can be stressful. Veterinary assistants support the veterinary team which provides health care to animals, both large and small. Their responsibilities can include grooming, feeding and exercising the animals; clerical and administrative work; cleaning and maintaining equipment and holding areas; restraining and handling the animals. Veterinary assistants also interact with pet owners and offer comfort and reassurance when needed, so having a compassionate nature goes a long way in this profession. As indicated by the growth rate expected in this field, a qualified veterinary assistant will continue to be in high demand in the coming years.

Diesel Mechanics

Total Employment in 2006: 275,000 jobs
Total Projected Employment in 2016: 306,000 jobs
Employment Growth Rate: Increase of 11%
Annual Median Salary: $37,668

A career as a diesel mechanic offers many different opportunities for individuals who enjoy and have a talent for this type of “hands on” profession. These mechanics repair and maintain all types of diesel engines including those for buses, locomotives, heavy trucks, farm tractors and construction equipment. Jobs can be available through a trucking line, a railroad company, a government agency with fleets of vehicles, or an independent repair shop. Diesel mechanics are trained in the use of hand tools and computerized diagnostic equipment which allow them to perform repairs on the engines. Demand is expected to grow over the next few years and highly trained individuals will continue to be sought-after in this industry.

Pet Groomer

Employment Growth Rate: Increase of 22%
Annual Median Salary: $18,137

This a profession, which by its nature, can never be outsourced. Americans love their pets but most appreciate the convenience of having a professional groomer do the maintenance and upkeep on their animals coats, nails, etc. Properly grooming a pet is not an easy task. A professional groomer needs to not only have the skills of trimming and shaping the fur, but also the patience to work with different types and personalities of cats and dogs. Some groomers work in an office atmosphere where pet owners drop off their animals for grooming, while others utilize “mobile” vans which allow them to go to the owners homes directly and perform the grooming right in the van. If you love animals and enjoying working with them, a career as a professional pet groomer could be a perfect choice for you.

Small Engine Repair

Total Employment in 2006: 78,000 jobs
Total Projected Employment in 2016: 87,000 jobs
Employment Growth Rate: Increase of 12%
Annual Median Salary: $26,915

When you consider all the equipment the average American household has that utilizes a small engine, it is easy to see why the job of small engine repairperson is in constant demand. A small engine repairperson is trained to diagnose, repair, and maintain any and all tools and equipment which have a small engine. This can include lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, edgers, and chain saws. It can sometimes include training for motorboat engines. Individuals who enjoy getting their hands dirty, taking things apart and putting them back together, and solving mechanical problems will do well in this profession. A career in the field of small engine repair offers the opportunity to work for yourself or through a retail service business. The expected employment growth rate in this industry over the next few years makes it a smart option when choosing a career path.

Motorcycle Repair Technician

Total Employment for in 2006: 21,000 jobs
Total Projected Employment in 2016: 24,000 jobs
Employment Growth Rate: Increase of 12%
Annual Median Salary: $30,056

With the steady increase in gasoline prices over the past few years, it's no wonder that the sales of motorcycles, mopeds and motor scooters have soared as well. With so many more of these vehicles on the road today, the job of motorcycle repair technician will continue to provide job security for those highly trained individuals who choose this career. Motorcycle repair technicians actually have a variety of vehicles for which they are trained to repair and maintain. These include motorcycles, sport bikes, all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles and jet skis. Job opportunities are available both in dealerships and independent repair shops. Well-trained and skilled technicians will always be needed in this industry.

Dog Obedience Trainer / Instructor

Total Employment in 2006: 43,000 jobs
Total Projected Employment in 2016: 53,000 jobs
Employment Growth Rate: Increase of 23%
Annual Median Salary: $26,312

A career in dog obedience training appeals to a lot of people because they love animals and they think it will be a fun and enjoyable job. This is true. But it also requires long, tedious hours of work. Obedience training involves a lot of repetitive sessions with the animal and it also calls for patience when dealing with pet owners. However, it can be a very rewarding career. Dog owners rarely have the understanding to properly train their pets themselves. And without the correct training, the situation can go from the dogs showing destructive behavior to even becoming very aggressive. So a trainer's job is very important! Many times owners who cannot control their pets simply choose to get rid of them and this can result in a sad ending for the dog. There is a very high demand for qualified dog trainers and growth in this industry is expected to increase significantly in the coming years.

Auto Repair Technician

Total Employment in 2006: 773,000 jobs
Total Projected Employment in 2016: 883,000 jobs
Employment Growth Rate: Increase of 14%
Annual Median Salary: $33,779

Skilled auto repair technicians will remain in strong demand well into the foreseeable future. These technicians inspect, repair and service all different parts of automobiles, trucks and buses. They are trained to work on engines and brakes, as well as belts, hoses and plugs. Performing routine maintenance is also part of their duties. Individuals interested in this type of career should possess good analytical skills since technicians need to diagnose problems quickly and accurately. Training involves becoming familiar with cars' mechanical and electronic systems and also learning how to use a variety of electronic tools, including computers. Highly trained auto technicians can work in automobile repair shops, car dealerships, and gas service stations. Car leasing companies and taxicab businesses employee auto repair technicians, also.