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Computer Operators monitor and control electronic computer and peripheral data processing equipment to process business, scientific, engineering, or other data according to operating instructions.
NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION
Computer Operators may:
Use job set-up instructions to decide the equipment to be used and the order of its use
Set control switches, select, and load data and materials needed for the computer run
Use various switches or keys to clear the system and start the computer
Monitor the system for equipment failure or errors in performance
Separate output when sending data to different users
Watch computer and peripheral equipment for errors or breakdowns
Find reasons for breakdown if computer stops or error lights appear
Record operating time and use of the computer
Answer telephone calls to assist computer users encountering problems.
Oversee the operation of computer hardware systems, including coordinating and scheduling the
use of computer terminals and networks to ensure efficient use
The tools, equipment, and work aids used may include:
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* Mainframe computers
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* Disks, diskettes
|
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* Magnetic tape units
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* Consoles and control panels
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* Programs and punched cards
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* CRT (TV) displays
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* Flow charts and job streams
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* High speed printers
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* Optical scanners
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* Converters
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* Procedures charts
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* Magnetic tapes
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OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES
Computer Operators may specialize in these areas:
213.362-010 COMPUTER OPERATORS monitor and control electronic data processing systems which process business, scientific, engineering, or other data.
213.382-010 COMPUTER-PERIPHERAL-EQUIPMENT OPERATORS control and monitor peripheral machines such as card/tape units and high-speed printers to transfer data from cards and tapes and convert stored data to printed records.
In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:
WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Computer Operators work with or around other people. Computer Operators work in comfortable, well-lighted surroundings. They work in air-conditioned rooms which may be cooler than other work areas because computers must be kept in areas where the temperature and humidity are carefully controlled. Operators may have work areas that are noisy. Operators spend much of their time standing and walking while loading and checking machines.
They usually work a 5-day, 40-hour week. They may become mentally tired at times. They may be required to work overtime frequently to meet deadlines. Computer installations are in operation 24 hours a day, and employees work in shifts. They may have to work evening or night shifts, weekends or holidays.
Many belong to a union or professional association and pay dues or fees.
You Should Prefer:
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Activities of a scientific or technical nature
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Activities which require creative imagination
You Should Be Able To:
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Work in a routine, organized manner
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Work accurately and think logically (step-by-step)
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Work well under pressure and use time effectively
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Follow detailed instructions
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Perform a variety of duties which may change often
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See details and recognize errors in written materials
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Perform activities which involve machines, processes, or methods
Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:
Should be able to prove that nCr = [n/(n-r)]*[(n-1)Cr]
Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:
A record is printed at WRITE-RTN and one is added to the COUNTER 1, thus, COUNTER 1 is equal to 1 after one record is printed. Since COUNTER 1 is not yet equal to 5, WRITE-RTN is executed again. The second line is printed, and 1 is added to COUNTER 1, giving COUNTER 1 a value of 2.
Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:
Prepare a written analysis of a computer problem.
Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:
Should be able to demonstrate excellent analytical skills and be detail oriented in assessing, monitoring, and controlling computer operations.
EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES
NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent or a Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond high school) or an Associate Degree (two years of stud beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.
The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:
***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***
0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1200 ELECTRONICS , 2200 MATH , 3300 TECHNOLOGY
***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***
There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.
|
Students should obtain the local
Career Education Consumer Report
for information on what happens to students who successfully complete a program. This information is available at each high school or career/technical center.
|
***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***
040
DATAPROCESSING
Programs in Data Processing provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed in a wide variety of jobs dealing with the sorting, analyzing, and processing of information using computers and other electronic and mechanical equipment. Individuals who teach Data Processing at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching Certificate.
Courses within Data Processing programs will vary from school to school but may include:
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Key Punch
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Principles & Purposes of Data Process.
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Introduction to Computers
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Database Management
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Fortran Programming
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Systems Design & Control
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Cobol Programming
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Computer Operation
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Teleprocessing
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Assembler Language & Software
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Report Program Generator
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215
COMPUTER SCIENCE
Programs in Computer Science provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed in a wide variety of jobs dealing with the programming, analyzing, and operation of computers and other electronic and mechanical equipment. Individuals who teach Computer Science at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching certificate.
Courses vary from school to school but may include:
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Introduction to Computers
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Computer Programming
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Mathematics
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English Composition
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Statistics
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Logic
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Systems Design & Control
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Business
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Accounting
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Computer Communications
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Computer Operation
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Data Base Management
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Personal Computer Classes
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Search for a College and/or Instructional Program
***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***
Although individuals might enter this occupation through apprenticeship training, currently no apprenticeship programs for this occupation are available in
Michigan
. For more information, contact the Bureau or Apprenticeship and Training found in the Sources Of More Information below.
***MILITARY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES***
Please check Military website at
http://www.myfuture.com
.
COMPUTER SYSTEMS SPECIALISTS
The military services use computers to store and process data on personnel, weather, finances, and many other operations. Before any information can be processed, computer systems must be set up, data entered, and computers operated. Computer systems specialists ensure information is entered, sorted, processed, and retrieved in a way that meets the military services' needs.
What They Do
Computer systems specialists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
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Identify computer user problems and coordinate to resolve them
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Install, configure, and monitor local and wide area networks, hardware, and software
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Compile, enter, and process information
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Provide customer and network administration services, such as passwords, electronic mail accounts, security, and troubleshooting
Helpful Attributes
Helpful school subjects include typing and computer science. Helpful attributes include:
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Interest in work requiring accuracy and attention to detail
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Ability to communicate effectively
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Interest in working with computer equipment
Training Provided
Job training consists of 7 to 13 weeks of classroom instruction. Training length varies depending on specialty. Course content typically includes:
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Use of computer consoles and peripheral equipment
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Planning, designing, and testing computer systems
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Computer systems concepts
Work Environment
Computer systems specialists work in offices or at computer sites, on military bases or aboard ships.
Physical Demands
Computer systems specialists may sit and key information for long periods.
Civilian Counterparts
Civilian computer systems specialists work for a wide variety of employers, such as banks, hospitals, retail firms, manufacturers, government agencies, and firms that design and test computer systems. They perform duties similar to those performed in the military. They may also be called network support technicians, computer operators, or data processing technicians. Most civilian computer systems specialists require a four-year college degree.
Opportunities
The services have about 14,100 computer systems specialists. On average, they need about 1,300 new computer system specialists each year. After job training, computer systems specialists are assigned to work under the direction of experienced computer systems officers. With experience, they may become managers of computer facilities.
E-Learning Courses and Programs
OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY
Many large firms offer training programs requiring no previous experience, while others require up to 2 years of training or experience. Small firms usually require at least 6 months of experience in data processing. Many employers give ability tests to applicants. Some expect Operators to keep informed about data communication trends.
School-to-Work opportunities include:
informal apprenticeships
mentorships
job shadowing experiences
touring a local Computer Programmer employer
internships
volunteer work with a Computer Programmer employer
community service work with an agency
Summer and part-time work with computer centers, work with government agencies may provide opportunities for experience. Postsecondary programs in computer science or data processing, and military service may also provide opportunities for experience.
Ways of becoming a Computer Operator include direct application to employers and taking Civil Service exams for jobs with government agencies. Assistance in locating positions may be available through placement offices of high schools, colleges, or vocational schools and local offices of Michigan Works!. Openings may be listed in newspaper want ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:
You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.
EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT
Earnings of Computer Operators depend on the location and type of employer, the size of the computer installation, and the operator's experience and level of responsibility.
Nationally, Computer Operators had median annual earnings of $36,000 with earnings ranging between $32,600 and $42,000 in 2005. Earnings were generally highest in large metropolitan areas and in the great lakes region because of a high concentration of manufacturing establishments. The median yearly earnings of "all" workers in the
U.S.
were $33,852 in 2005.
In the federal government, Computer Operators without work experience started at $22,519 per year in 2006. The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas.
Annual average earnings of Computer Operators in several metropolitan areas in
Michigan
were (early 2006):
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AREA
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MIDDLE
RANGE
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AVERAGE
|
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Detroit
( mid 2005)
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$33,500 - $43,000
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$38,044
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Michigan
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$34,000 - $40,500
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$38,700
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Computer Operators employed in
Michigan
hospitals earned an average minimum of $26,312 and an average maximum of $40,560 annually in mid 2005. Their average earnings were $32,469.
Computer Operators may receive paid vacations and holidays; hospitalization, accident, disability, life, and dental insurance; sick leave; and retirement plans. Some employers may offer stock purchase/savings plans for salaried workers.
Computer Operators may advance to senior Operator or lead Operator through a combination of training and experience. Those who demonstrate work and leadership skills may go on to supervisory positions.
EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK
Nationally, about 149,400 Computer Operators were employed in 2004. Their employment is expected to decline through the year 2014. About 1.7% of them were self-employed. The industry distribution for Computer Operators looked like this:
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NAICS Code
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NAICS Industry Title
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% Employed
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520000
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Finance and Insurance
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14.8
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541000
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Professional, scientific, and technical services, including computer systems design and related services
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11.3
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510000
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Information
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11.3
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560000
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Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services
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8.8
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920000
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State Government
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8.0
|
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930000
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Local Government
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6.7
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551100
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Management of companies and enterprises
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5.4
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31-330
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Manufacturing
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5.0
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622000
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Hospitals, private
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3.7
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423000
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Merchant wholesalers, durable goods
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2.7
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48-490
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Transportation and Warehousing
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2.4
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424000
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Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods
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2.4
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910000
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Federal Government
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2.0
|
|
--
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Others
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15.5
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There are approximately 5,600 Computer Operators employed in
Michigan.
Computer Operators are employed in almost every industry, especially in computer and data processing service firms; automobile and equipment manufacturing firms; financial institutions; government agencies; insurance companies; accounting; auditing and bookkeeping services firms; colleges and universities and hospitals.
About 10% of all Computer Operators work part-time.
Employment of Computer Operators is expected to decline through the year 2012. An average of 120 annual openingsis expected, with all due to replacement of those who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations.
MICHIGAN
'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2002-2012
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EMPLOYMENT REGION
|
NUMBER EMPLOYED
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PERCENT GROWTH
|
PROJECTED YEARLY JOB OPENINGS
|
|
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MICHIGAN
- State-wide
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5,600
|
-20.8
|
120
|
|
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Ann Arbor
Area
|
360
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-17.5
|
8
|
|
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Battle Creek
Area
|
65
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-17.2
|
1
|
|
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Benton
Harbor
Area
|
80
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-29.6
|
2
|
|
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Central Michigan
|
110
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-28.6
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2
|
|
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Detroit
MSA
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2,810
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-20.4
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60
|
|
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East Central Michigan
|
25
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-24.0
|
1
|
|
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Flint
Area
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155
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-23.5
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3
|
|
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Grand Rapids
Area
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530
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-17.3
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11
|
|
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Jackson Area
|
75
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-26.0
|
2
|
|
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Kalamazoo
Area
|
140
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-25.2
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3
|
|
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Lansing
MSA
|
460
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-30.0
|
10
|
|
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Muskegon
Area
|
45
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-17.8
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1
|
|
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Northeast Lower Peninsula
|
45
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-27.3
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1
|
|
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Northwest Lower Peninsula
|
90
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-18.5
|
2
|
|
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Saginaw
MSA
|
295
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-24.9
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6
|
|
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Thumb Area
|
45
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-19.6
|
1
|
|
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Upper Peninsula
|
140
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-26.6
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3
|
|
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West Central Michigan
|
50
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-16.0
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1
|
|
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*NOTE: Areas may not add up to state-wide total due to rounding, sampling or statistical errors, and/or confidentiality issues.
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SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
Printed occupational information is available upon written request from sources below:
Copyright © 2006 Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth