Researching the job market is an integral part of a successful job hunt. While you may be tempted to take the first job you can land and stick with it, it's important to know which occupations aren't as secure as you might want them to be.
24/7 Wall St. recently took Bureau of Labor Statistics data of jobs between 2002 and 2012, and created a list of the top disappearing jobs. Although you may find work as one of these professionals, remember that when the industry shrinks, job security is not guaranteed.
1. Advertising and Promotions Managers
Advertising and promotions managers are the liaisons between companies and print advertising. With the decline of print media and the rise of social media, this type of advertising is falling into disfavor. It may be hard for companies to justify these positions when their advertising method of choice is going extinct.
- Average salary: $88,590
- 10-year job decline: -52,670
- 10-year predicted decline: -65%
2. Carpenter's Helpers
The housing crisis from only a few years ago is still affecting the economy today. Because there aren't as many houses being built, there has been a shortage in the number of carpenters required to build them. This, in turn, affected the number of carpenter helper positions available. These individuals assist in monotonous work, such as cutting wood, erecting scaffolds and smoothing materials.
- Average salary: $25,550
- 10-year job decline: -62,030
- 10-year predicted decline: -63%
3. Plasterers and Stucco Masons
When a bulk of the construction industry crumbles, so do the jobs tied to it. While there are still projects out in the world, without the pre-housing crisis number of houses being built every year, plasterers and stucco masons may have trouble finding work. Applying protective and decorative coats to interior surfaces isn't the easiest DIY job to perform, so it's unfortunate to see the valuable skills of these professionals fall by the wayside.
- Average salary: $37,130
- 10-year job decline: -33,250
- 10-year predicted decline: -61%
4. Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Plastics and metals come in wide varieties with many different properties; shaping and cutting each one requires specific tools and precision work. While this type of job used to call for experts who knew how to work with every type of plastic and metal, machines can perform to the same specifications for a lower cost.
- Average salary: $33,940
- 10-year job decline: -31,070
- 10-year predicted decline: -60%
5. Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, Tile and Marble Setters
Laying down the basic construction materials for houses and other buildings is an important and rewarding job, but it's unfortunately been negatively impacted by the housing crisis. Many of the jobs these types of contractors would take on involved constructing houses, and when fewer are being built, fewer professionals are needed.
- Average salary: $28,220
- 10-year job decline: -36,430
- 10-year predicted decline: -60%
6. Computer Operators
Computers are changing so quickly that some of the jobs they created are becoming obsolete. Computer operators are professionals who troubleshoot terminals in order to ensure their continued operation. Since troubleshooting computer errors has become a streamlined, easy-to-manage process, the need for specialist computer operators has dropped. Often, their work can be incorporated into the work of information technology (IT) professionals or just about any other job that requires advanced computing knowledge.
- Average salary: $38,390
- 10-year job decline: -101,080
- 10-year predicted decline: -59%
7. Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders
In another case of automation and optimization-hurting employment, the clothing and fabric manufacturing industries have seen a large dip in employment. Although many blame international outsourcing as part of the problem, a report from the McKinsey Global Institute said that increased productivity per worker hurt many jobs.
- Average salary: $26,540
- 10-year job decline: -28,300
- 10-year predicted decline: -57%
8. Word Processors and Typists
Before computers became ubiquitous and necessary in the working world, word processors and typists were experts who could draft documents to any specifications. However, most employers require office workers to already know how to use word-processing software, and such programs have become increasingly user friendly.
- Average salary: $35,270
- 10-year job decline: -112,640
- 10-year predicted decline: -54%
9. Prepress Technicians
Prepress technicians ensure that printed materials are formatted to specific standards before they hit the machines. However, the power of modern software has eliminated much of the need for these professionals. While there is some balance in job loss and creation with the rise in printing labels, wrappers and packaging, the profession is still rapidly shrinking.
- Average salary: $37,260
- 10-year job decline: -47,950
- 10-year predicted decline: -54%
10. Semiconductor Processors
Semiconductors have become too small for humans to process accurately. Automated machines have risen to favor because of this, as well as the cleanliness requirements of semiconductor fabrication. While this trend reduces expenses for companies, it has rapidly shrunk the semiconductor processing jobs available.
- Average salary: $33,020
- 10-year job decline: -22,250
- 10-year predicted decline: -51%
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