Oklahoma's Top Job Vacancies

Thursday, February 15th 2007, 9:06 pm

By: News On 6

Help wanted signs are up across Oklahoma as employers search for job applicants. The state of Oklahoma recently surveyed employers to find what jobs are out there and how much money job seekers can expect to earn. You may be surprised at the results of that survey.

News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports at the Western Country Diner on South Sheridan in Tulsa, there are several openings to fill. Owner Ammar Albick is expanding to a second location soon in Broken Arrow, so he needs more hired help. "We always needed help. The restaurant business, you need cashiers, dishwasher, waitresses, cooks."

The Western Country Diner isn't the only place hiring. Cashiers, waiters, waitresses and cooks are each on the state's top 10 list for job vacancies.

The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission surveyed more than 4,000 employers across the state. Cashiers are number one. Registered nurses are second on the list. That comes as no surprise to Ann Anthony, associate Dean of TCC's nursing program. "The need is there and it's growing." Anthony says that's because of several factors including the aging population and many nurses reaching retirement age. "Our students graduate and they have a choice of jobs. They have no problems finding a place to work, â€œsays Ann Anthony.

According to the survey, nursing is the best paid position on the job vacancy list, with registered nurses earning a median salary of $21.63 cents an hour or about $45,000 a year.
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Job vacancies by occupation and median hourly salary in Oklahoma, according to a spring 2006 survey by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission:

1. Cashier (2,282) $6.40.

2. Registered nurse (2,235) $21.63

3. Waiter/waitress (1,889) $2.25

4. Retail salesperson (1,635) $9.75

5. Laborer/freight, stock, & material mover (1,446) $8.23

6. Nursing aide, orderly & attendant (1,416) $9.39

7. Combined food preparation and serving/including fast food (1,329) $8.03

8. Customer service representative (1,261) $11.24

9. Cooks, fast food (1,231) $7.00

10 Stock clerk/order filler (1,035) $9.00