City Town Info

Joplin Employment

Employment and Industries in the Joplin, Missouri Area

The tables here illustrate essential information about work and employment in the area. Information includes:

  • A table of the most numerous types of work found here, both for jobs generally requiring college degrees and jobs not requiring college degrees.
  • A table listing those careers significantly more common in Joplin than in other US cities; this is useful both for career planning and for understanding the nature of Joplin.
  • A list of the highest-paying jobs in Joplin.
  • A list of any large public companies in Joplin.

Most Popular Jobs in Joplin, Missouri Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses1,76050,900$35,890 - 67,50024%56%
2Elementary school teachers, except special education97037,600$29,170 - 48,27014%95%
3Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products57045,950$19,990 - 76,2308%51%
4Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education53039,470$28,490 - 51,7706%96%
5Accountants and auditors42047,420$25,240 - 76,43018%79%
6Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education25036,640$27,980 - 48,41011%95%
7Industrial engineers24061,520$38,570 - 85,99020%74%
8Medical and health services managers19064,340$23,450 - 101,11016%57%
9Physical therapists17061,550$43,080 - 83,49027%89%
10Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school17042,060$31,540 - 57,55020%87%
11Financial managers160106,400$59,040 - 13%60%
12Pharmacists160110,900$84,690 - 135,17022%97%
13Teachers and instructors, all other15026,490$19,110 - 38,9209%54%
14Chief executives150126,080$58,660 - 2%65%
15Educational, vocational, and school counselors15042,050$27,810 - 59,53013%73%
16Medical and clinical laboratory technologists14046,360$27,800 - 63,86012%51%
17Child, family, and school social workers13031,160$25,800 - 39,39019%77%
18Education administrators, elementary and secondary school12071,210$51,980 - 87,0108%78%
19Medical and clinical laboratory technicians12025,980$20,320 - 37,20015%51%
20Advertising sales agents11040,990$21,470 - 59,27020%56%
21Public relations specialists11039,790$28,970 - 51,54018%81%
22Occupational therapists10054,580$43,240 - 70,51023%90%
23Lawyers100 $ - 11%99%
24Training and development specialists9035,300$25,070 - 50,86018%56%
25Special education teachers, secondary school9038,610$29,750 - 50,3209%87%
26Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products9054,860$30,930 - 78,99012%51%
27Network and computer systems administrators8049,760$30,700 - 74,81027%50%
28Mental health and substance abuse social workers8026,910$21,110 - 37,09030%77%
29Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists8034,890$20,430 - 54,76018%56%
30Medical and public health social workers8043,130$26,150 - 62,84024%77%
31Civil engineers8065,610$44,090 - 102,34018%87%
32Vocational education teachers, secondary school7040,470$28,980 - 51,6700%96%
33Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other7046,450$26,620 - 66,86017%56%
34Librarians7042,740$29,660 - 53,1604%85%
35Computer systems analysts7052,870$34,660 - 79,93029%68%
36Speech-language pathologists7039,530$23,930 - 59,11011%98%
37Sales managers7078,710$35,440 - 127,12010%69%
38Rehabilitation counselors6033,210$26,000 - 40,24023%73%
39Network systems and data communications analysts6048,810$22,970 - 79,10053%57%
40Reporters and correspondents6025,190$15,300 - 37,3401%85%
41Social and community service managers5043,020$32,480 - 63,85025%72%
42Social and human service assistants5029,170$18,030 - 40,38034%58%
43Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation5041,820$25,860 - 62,5805%58%
44Surveyors5035,730$21,380 - 59,30024%82%
45Floral designers5019,360$14,750 - 28,4100%55%
46Detectives and criminal investigators5039,020$29,020 - 53,88017%54%
47Graphic designers5029,290$18,760 - 41,02010%55%
48Financial analysts5066,830$24,300 - 128,26034%87%
49Dentists, general50 $ - 9%100%
50Coaches and scouts5034,920$15,540 - 57,16015%60%
51Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists5046,250$22,690 - 67,95016%99%
52Special education teachers, middle school4036,680$28,550 - 48,05016%87%
53Market research analysts4064,850$27,990 - 123,54020%82%
54Management analysts4067,140$26,210 - 134,34022%78%
55Producers and directors4025,860$15,640 - 32,47011%75%
56Computer and information systems managers4083,410$57,580 - 122,96016%73%
57Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists4040,690$22,100 - 69,83018%56%
58Self-enrichment education teachers4052,150$35,090 - 64,56023%54%
59Purchasing managers4081,190$55,600 - 131,0103%57%
60Sales and related workers, all other4021,600$14,440 - 25,30014%62%
61Mechanical engineers4088,270$46,000 - 4%78%
62Health educators3039,540$14,840 - 65,35026%58%
63Marketing managers3089,040$42,160 - 146,75014%69%
64Database administrators3059,480$27,930 - 113,39029%72%
65Managers, all other3072,670$32,780 - 130,0507%55%
66Engineering managers3084,120$59,600 - 113,8807%84%
67Education administrators, postsecondary3081,900$45,600 - 109,84014%78%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer4,48034,040$15,230 - 56,54010%4%
2Retail salespersons2,97022,470$14,980 - 33,23012%25%
3Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food2,50016,060$14,190 - 19,13018%5%
4Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand2,48023,820$16,620 - 34,1602%5%
5Cashiers2,45017,500$14,320 - 22,750-2%10%
6Office clerks, general2,29023,410$15,220 - 33,80013%19%
7Team assemblers2,00021,920$14,770 - 32,3700%5%
8Waiters and waitresses1,41016,490$14,310 - 20,71011%14%
9Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks99027,220$17,050 - 39,66013%16%
10Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners97021,380$15,340 - 29,39015%4%
11Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders95025,750$16,450 - 39,020-4%5%
12Telemarketers95018,380$16,420 - 20,020-9%14%
13Stock clerks and order fillers88020,430$14,820 - 28,500-7%8%
14Personal and home care aides86017,770$14,710 - 20,54051%10%
15Maintenance and repair workers, general82031,340$19,100 - 47,13010%6%
16Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants79019,800$15,540 - 24,77018%7%
17Automotive service technicians and mechanics76025,970$17,360 - 41,79014%4%
18General and operations managers73081,280$41,560 - 137,4302%48%
19Construction laborers72026,280$15,090 - 39,13011%5%
20Customer service representatives71025,940$16,770 - 38,36025%22%
21Industrial truck and tractor operators71026,250$18,990 - 32,970-1%2%
22Teacher assistants69018,820$14,350 - 25,23010%18%
23Packers and packagers, hand67019,860$14,630 - 27,340-11%3%
24First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers65034,310$22,400 - 50,3404%25%
25First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers64039,160$20,850 - 62,5806%29%
26Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive63022,800$15,690 - 31,3101%18%
27Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses61027,070$18,160 - 36,67014%7%
28First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers59042,810$28,260 - 63,330-4%15%
29Maids and housekeeping cleaners55018,900$14,580 - 25,03013%5%
30Cooks, restaurant53018,190$14,330 - 24,96012%5%
31Production workers, all other51022,650$17,030 - 28,3102%5%
32Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers49030,150$22,510 - 38,130-26%6%
33Medical secretaries48024,250$17,650 - 31,62017%18%
34Receptionists and information clerks48019,800$14,790 - 25,72017%13%
35Home health aides47018,630$15,910 - 22,82049%7%
36Tellers46020,820$16,680 - 28,01014%16%
37Cooks, fast food41016,900$14,300 - 22,3108%5%
38First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers39032,130$18,520 - 47,79011%14%
39Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic39028,660$23,710 - 32,670-22%0%
40Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers39025,230$17,360 - 38,3405%2%
41Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers38028,300$20,160 - 35,890-6%14%
42Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks38026,810$18,010 - 38,2604%6%
43Truck drivers, light or delivery services38027,810$17,560 - 45,5908%4%
44Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists37036,620$22,090 - 57,05012%3%
45Helpers--production workers37018,660$14,430 - 24,3300%4%
46Printing machine operators37033,720$15,100 - 50,460-5%6%
47Driver/sales workers37025,120$14,400 - 45,430-4%4%
48Industrial machinery mechanics36034,970$26,550 - 41,4509%5%
49Medical assistants33025,050$17,250 - 51,17035%10%
50Billing and posting clerks and machine operators33025,250$18,380 - 33,2104%15%
51Police and sheriff's patrol officers31031,280$18,610 - 48,52011%33%
52Electricians30043,080$28,780 - 53,7207%7%
53Landscaping and groundskeeping workers30021,920$14,840 - 35,61018%6%
54Carpenters30030,960$19,860 - 42,82010%6%
55Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders30032,910$20,930 - 45,990-4%4%
56Pharmacy technicians30021,710$15,650 - 29,27032%16%
57Executive secretaries and administrative assistants28035,570$23,380 - 53,26015%18%
58Counter and rental clerks28019,670$14,240 - 30,10023%16%
59Food preparation workers27017,730$14,450 - 22,55015%7%
60Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters26046,110$28,370 - 65,67011%4%
61Emergency medical technicians and paramedics26024,630$17,390 - 35,82019%14%
62Loan officers24059,940$30,270 - 106,97012%49%
63First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers24045,950$27,690 - 74,9507%13%
64Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance24034,710$24,170 - 46,0502%11%
65Order clerks24023,340$16,790 - 32,530-23%16%
66Bill and account collectors23021,560$15,120 - 27,75023%13%
67Sales representatives, services, all other22047,520$19,570 - 87,09028%48%
68Security guards22023,610$16,330 - 32,06017%13%
69Highway maintenance workers22025,850$16,460 - 33,0309%5%
70Business operations specialists, all other21040,730$15,600 - 70,20021%49%
71Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic21026,040$18,920 - 31,860-14%0%
72Child care workers21015,890$14,230 - 17,09018%15%
73Preschool teachers, except special education20022,960$14,610 - 37,04026%43%
74Bartenders20019,700$14,330 - 35,70011%17%
75Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic20028,320$22,590 - 34,190-2%6%
76First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators19043,360$27,500 - 66,71010%17%
77Kindergarten teachers, except special education18038,740$30,360 - 48,69016%43%
78Cleaners of vehicles and equipment18019,050$14,580 - 27,99014%3%
79Radiologic technologists and technicians18038,790$28,310 - 50,94015%25%
80Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators18046,680$29,990 - 66,3808%3%
81Bus drivers, school17018,750$14,310 - 23,5509%4%
82Production, planning, and expediting clerks17035,430$21,400 - 51,6604%30%
83Postal service mail carriers170 1%11%
84Interviewers, except eligibility and loan16022,510$17,310 - 29,13010%24%
85Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters16023,920$17,040 - 35,4703%4%
86First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers16057,910$35,770 - 85,4309%10%
87Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists16019,870$14,460 - 28,81012%6%
88Welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders15027,740$15,820 - 38,6603%2%
89Dishwashers15016,910$14,400 - 20,48010%3%
90First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand15041,280$16,020 - 72,86013%17%
91Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop15017,070$14,620 - 19,70010%17%
92Legal secretaries15026,480$19,790 - 38,13012%18%
93Painters, construction and maintenance14026,700$20,870 - 33,80012%6%
94Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers14016,580$14,420 - 19,36012%6%
95Cooks, institution and cafeteria14020,150$16,420 - 25,66011%5%
96Fire fighters14028,510$18,430 - 41,28012%18%
97Parts salespersons14028,600$17,100 - 41,430-1%6%
98Medical records and health information technicians14026,830$17,410 - 46,34018%12%
99Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers14041,080$18,850 - 62,6203%13%
100Surgical technologists13029,360$20,160 - 40,21025%16%
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Career Schools in Joplin

Schools with flexible schedules, simple applications, online info request forms, and rapid responses to requests for info.

(Also see all Missouri Colleges.)

Vatterott College
Joplin, Missouri
  • Programs: Beauty And Cosmetology, Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Construction Trades, Design, Engineering Technician, Law, Liberal Arts, Mechanics And Repair, Media, Medical Administration, Medical Support And Technology, Nutrition And Exercise Therapy, Office And Administration, Photography And Commercial Art, Production Trades, Security And Law Enforcement, Therapy And Counseling
  • Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Bachelor, Diploma
  • Request Info From The School

Jobs More Common Near Joplin Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic28,66039016
Engine and other machine assemblers 13015.2
Welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders27,7401508
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders25,7509505.4
Telemarketers18,3809505.4
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer34,0404,4805.2
Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders32,9103004.5
Highway maintenance workers25,8502204.5
Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers30,1504904.4
Production workers, all other22,6505104.2
Team assemblers21,9202,0003.6
Printing machine operators33,7203703.5
Personal and home care aides17,7708603.5
Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic28,3202003
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists36,6203702.8
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics24,6302602.8
Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters23,9201602.8
Surgical technologists29,3601302.7
Industrial machinery mechanics34,9703602.6
Electrical power-line installers and repairers49,3101102.6
Food batchmakers23,7501102.6
Vocational education teachers, postsecondary44,0501302.5
Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators37,5701202.4
Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance34,7102402.2
Industrial truck and tractor operators26,2507102.2
Industrial engineers61,5202402.2
Automotive service technicians and mechanics25,9707602.1
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers25,2303902.1
Kindergarten teachers, except special education38,7401802.1
Respiratory therapists37,1701102.1
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand23,8202,4802
Occupational therapists54,5801001.9
Medical secretaries24,2504801.9
Driver/sales workers25,1203701.8
Physical therapists61,5501701.8
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic26,0402101.8
Order clerks23,3402401.8
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers42,8105901.7
Library assistants, clerical17,1101001.7
Pharmacy technicians21,7103001.7
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food16,0602,5001.7
Packers and packagers, hand19,8606701.6
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses27,0706101.6
First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators43,3601901.6
Radiologic technologists and technicians38,7901801.6
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers28,3003801.6
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists46,3601401.6
Helpers--production workers18,6603701.5
Medical records and health information technicians26,8301401.5
Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school42,0601701.5

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Joplin, Missouri Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Physicians and surgeons, all other205,8001.15120
Financial managers106,4001.15160
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators46,6801.09180
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers32,1301.06390
Pharmacists110,9001.06160
Printing machine operators33,7201.03370
Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers30,1501.02490
Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders32,9101.02300
Bartenders19,7001.02200
Loan officers59,9401.01240
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters46,1101260
Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance34,7101240
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers57,9101160
Maids and housekeeping cleaners18,9000.99550
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand23,8200.992,480
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders25,7500.99950
Dishwashers16,9100.98150
Packers and packagers, hand19,8600.97670
Cost estimators54,5100.97120
Cooks, fast food16,9000.97410
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop17,0700.96150
Truck drivers, light or delivery services27,8100.96380
Driver/sales workers25,1200.96370
First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand41,2800.96150
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers16,5800.95140
Cashiers17,5000.942,450
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks26,8100.94380
Parts salespersons28,6000.94140
Security guards23,6100.94220
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners21,3800.93970
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food16,0600.932,500
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists36,6200.93370
Food batchmakers23,7500.92110
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks17,9800.92130
Food preparation workers17,7300.92270
Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators37,5700.92120
Retail salespersons22,4700.922,970
Office clerks, general23,4100.922,290
Electricians43,0800.92300
Executive secretaries and administrative assistants35,5700.92280
Sales representatives, services, all other47,5200.92220
Maintenance and repair workers, general31,3400.91820
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment19,0500.91180
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer34,0400.914,480
Vocational education teachers, postsecondary44,0500.9130
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers21,9200.9300
Preschool teachers, except special education22,9600.9200
Electrical power-line installers and repairers49,3100.9110
Dental hygienists56,9500.9110
Stock clerks and order fillers20,4300.89880

Highest Paying Jobs in Joplin, Missouri Metro Area (2008 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Physicians and surgeons, all other205,800120
Chief executives126,080150
Pharmacists110,900160
Financial managers106,400160
Construction managers95,70060
Marketing managers89,04030
Mechanical engineers88,27040
Engineering managers84,12030
Computer and information systems managers83,41040
Education administrators, postsecondary81,90030
General and operations managers81,280730
Purchasing managers81,19040
Sales managers78,71070
Administrative services managers77,58050
Industrial production managers75,680110
Managers, all other72,67030
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school71,210120
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents71,010 
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers69,32060
Management analysts67,14040
Financial analysts66,83050
Civil engineers65,61080
Insurance sales agents65,45080
Market research analysts64,85040
Medical and health services managers64,340190
Physical therapists61,550170
Industrial engineers61,520240
Loan officers59,940240
Database administrators59,48030
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers57,910160
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers57,28050
Dental hygienists56,950110
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives56,23060
Medical equipment repairers56,060 
First-line supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers55,51050
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products54,86090
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators54,76030
Occupational therapists54,580100
Computer programmers54,540 
Cost estimators54,510120
Computer systems analysts52,87070
Self-enrichment education teachers52,15040
Registered nurses50,9001,760
Electrical and electronic engineering technicians50,32030
Network and computer systems administrators49,76080
Electrical power-line installers and repairers49,310110
Network systems and data communications analysts48,81060
Sales representatives, services, all other47,520220
Accountants and auditors47,420420
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators46,680180

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