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Demographic Analysis Of The Healthcare, Manufacturing, And Skilled Trades Industries, Elizabeth Morehead, Sheila A. Martin

Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies Publications

While the American economy has been characterized by increasing labor-market polarization over the past decade, recent growth in mid-wage, mid-skill jobs holds promise for workers looking for an opportunity to earn a self-sufficient wage.

By July of this year, the economy had added over 900,000 middle-income positions, matching the pace of growth in high-wage fi elds, and outpacing growth in low-wage occupations. Many of these mid-wage and mid-skill jobs can be found in healthcare, production, and the skilled trades, specifi cally construction and extraction, and installation, maintenance, and repair.

Many of these jobs off er an opportunity to earn higher …