In 2015, Michigan is expected to add 59,400 jobs.

Many of these new jobs will be in rapidly-opening career fields like truck driving, engineering, and welding.

This is Part Two of the “Michigan Job Series.”

What qualifies as a “hot” job? A job that is high in demand, which can be easily landed with the right skills.

Three of Michigan’s hottest jobs will be discussed in this article.

Commercial Truck Drivers

Truck driving may not seem like an appealing job, but it offers a quick route to employment for workers with little education.

All the job requires is a high school diploma (or the passing of a basic skills test, depending on the employer) and a Commercial Truck Driver’s License — commonly called a CDL — which can be obtained through a three-week training course.

Many people who work as commercial truck drivers are aging and retiring, opening spots for new drivers.

Mr. Dale Carey, truck driver for ABC Warehouse, said he likes his job because it is like “having your own little office.”

Carey said his duties follow a daily routine.

“I wake up super early to get to our yard and pick up my truck,” Carey said. “I then make sure that the truck is safe with a safety inspection, and drive to my first destination. Once I get there, it’s a process of unloading the inventory that goes to that store.”

Instead of receiving hourly pay, commercial truck drivers get paid by the mile.

The fringe benefits of this job are the same as the health benefits one would get for working an hourly job.  However, truck drivers have to go for evaluations to make sure that they are still healthy and capable of doing their job.

Carey said that the freedom of this job is his favorite thing about it.

“It’s more fun because you don’t have a boss standing over you,” Carey said. “All you have to do is your job and then you’re done.”

New drivers earn salaries ranging from $50,000 to $55,000. They also receive three weeks of vacation and health insurance.

Carey’s advice to a young person interested in becoming a truck driver is twofold.

“They have to enjoy driving, for one,” he said, “and would really have to like being alone while they’re doing it.”

Long-distance drivers have to be comfortable with being away from home and being on their own. They have to be comfortable with long periods of driving in addition to waking up and going to bed early.

Carey said long-distance drivers can be compensated well.

“The money rewards are awesome if you do that kind of driving,” Carey said.

 Systems Engineers

Systems engineering deals with work processes, optimization methods, and risk management tools in large and complex projects.

Systems engineers are responsible for creating the system that completes a project for a client.

Since technology is developing rapidly, systems engineers are necessary in order to track the development and performance needs of various products.

The job is specialized to the type of business that needs it.

There are many different types of systems engineers, like computer systems engineers, audio systems engineers, and so forth.

Computer systems engineering is the most common of the systems engineering jobs.

For a computer to work properly, the systems engineer must outline what parts are needed and the best way to lay them out.

Senior systems engineers’ earnings depend on which field they work in, but they generally range from $72,500 to $139,000 a year.

Those who want to work as systems engineers need a college degree in engineering, or a field related to their desired specialty.

For example, a computer science degree would work well for someone wanting to go into computer systems engineering.

Certifications are also available and can compensate for a lack of work experience or education.

Welders

A general shortage of skilled-trades workers — electricians, machinists, welders — is the reason for the surging demand for welders.

Welders are responsible for fusing metals, and sometimes thermoplastics, together. This is often done by melting the pieces and adding a form of filler material to create the weld.

There are more than 70 methods of welding, including gas tungsten arc welding, where a non-consumable tungsten electrode is used to produce the weld, and gas metal arc welding, where the welder uses a wire gun that feeds wire at an adjustable speed while flowing an argon-based shielding gas.

The broad field of welding careers is part of the reason for the increase in the demand for welders.

With so many different kinds of welding, a limited number of people to fill the positions, and an aging workforce, there is a higher demand for new employees.

Becoming a welder does not necessarily require a college degree. Welders need a high school diploma, but some establishments prefer post-secondary education or training.

Pay for the job depends on the type of welding.

New journey-person-level welders can make between $40,000 and $51,000 per year. Salaries for experienced welders range from $50,000 to $67,000 a year.

Welders also often have opportunities to work overtime, which can increase their yearly take-home amount.

To view other articles in this series, see the links below:

More articles in the Michigan Job Series

Michigan Job Series: Sales engineers desperately needed

Michigan Job Series: Technology is key in transitioning economy

Michigan Job Series: Big data, population growth create new jobs