All 867 federally-defined occupations are indexed relative to each other by the indicators below. Aggregate scores are calculated based on the weights assigned to each indicator.
The aggregate score is then converted to a rank between 1 (
) and 5 (
), with representing the most in-demand occupations.
Finally, an earnings threshold is applied to prioritize the middle- and high-skill occupations that support the state's economic growth and lead towards increased household wealth.
DEMAND
Signals the likelihood that employment opportunities will be consistently available
35% of score
RETENTION
Indicates an occupation's stability and counteracts churn
28% of score
GROWTH
Measures how quickly employer demand is growing
25% of score
EARNINGS
Indicates the relative value employers place on an occupation
12% of score
* NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOP JOBS SCORE *
Job
Transferability
Job Transfer-
ability
Indicates an occupation’s adaptability across industries
Occupation's measurable presence across multiple industries (accounts for at least 2% of employment at the 4-digit NAICS level)
Upward
Mobility
Indicates an occupation’s potential for advancement
Number of potential, skill-similar roles with higher earnings, reflecting greater potential upward mobility
Job
Stability
Measures an occupation’s resilience and likelihood of offering fulltime hours & benefits
- Changes in employment growth that run counter to regional growth trends
- Share of full-time job postings
Skill
Change
Measures how “disrupted” an occupation is due to technological advancements and changing skills
Change in skills and training requested in job postings over time
Top Jobs’ increased emphasis on wages is an effort to drive up wages in the state, improving household wealth and purchasing power.
| Star Rating | Wage Rule | Share of the Average Wage |
|---|---|---|
 /
|
$56,488+ | 100% |
|
$42,366 - $56,487 | 75% |
|
$28,245 - $42,365 | 50% |
|
|
$0 - $28,244 | 25% |
-
Previous Threshold: an occupation’s average wages had to exceed $36,605 in order to score a 3 or above under the Flames system
-
Only 22% of occupations could potentially score below a 3 despite their baseline score indicating otherwise
Why Focus on Wages?
Indiana ranked 36th in the nation in terms of average earnings as of 2023.
Many Hoosier households are struggling to make ends meet as evidenced by the living wages required to support families of various sizes:
-
$42,515 for a single adult with no children
-
$51,501 for two working adults with two children
-
$59,842 for two adults, one of whom works, with one child
-
$74,194 for a single adult with one child
The state’s minimum wage of $7.25 an hour translates to only $15,080, poverty wages.
All 867 federally-defined occupations are indexed relative to each other, then assigned a ranking between 1 and 5, with 5 representing the most in-demand occupations.
Weighted Base Score
Each subscore is multiplied by its respective weight and the results are totaled. Then, the weighted base score is normalized on a scale from 1 to 100 for all occupations in a region.Welders (SOC 51-4121)
| Indicator | Subscore | Times: Weight | Weighted Subscore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demand | 68 | 35.0% | 23.8 |
| Retention | 54 | 27.5% | 14.9 |
| Growth | 52 | 25.0% | 13.0 |
| Earnings | 32 | 12.5% | 4.0 |
| Raw Score | 55.7 | ||
Normalized across all occupations in Indiana on a scale from 1 to 100: 67.0
Initial Rating Calculation
The combined score calculated in step 1 is divided by 20 and rounded up to the nearest whole number to determine the initial Star Rating on a scale of 1-5 stars.
The combined score of 67.0 is divided by 20 to arrive at the initial score of 4 stars ()
Earnings Threshold
The earnings rule is applied, reducing the star rating for occupations with average earnings less than the state’s average wage of $56,487 for 2023:| Weighted Score | Earnings Rule | Share of the Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| / |
$56,488+ | 100% |
|
$42,366 - $56,487 | 75% |
|
$28,245 - $42,365 | 50% |
|
$0 - $28,244 | 25% |
With average annual earnings of $49,338 in the State of Indiana, the maximum score Welders can earn is 3 stars () since it falls below $56,487 67.0
Redevelopment of Indiana’s In-Demand Occupations Methodology
Click on the graphic to download a PowerPoint outlining Top Jobs
