Top 15 Hot Jobs in Charlotte NC - A Money Magazine Smart City

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By Patty Inglish, MS

Insulated from Recession

Charlotte - Mecklenburg labor market or Workforce Development area is a prospering region with many attractions to fuel tourism and related industries involving retail, food service, accommodations and others. Healthcare is also a big market contributor. Being a Smart City, a significant percentage of its population has earned at least a Bachelor's Degree or higher, not to mention all the Associate's Degrees (AA, AS, etc.) and educational certifications of those that do and do not possess the BA/BS. as a college town, Charlotte is very bright educationally and economically and this keeps it somewhat above the fray of economic downturns and recessions.

All this is not to say that some jobs were not lost in the 2008 - 2009 US recession, but Charlotte was not devastated by that timeline of events and the numbers of jobs listed for the market area increased overall from 2005 - 2009 and significantly from July - October 2009. This was in time to experience even more job listings resulting from the 2009 Holiday Season.

(Photos in this presentation are in the public domain.)

 

Reverend Billy Graham Library and Birthplace Memorial

A much visited site in Charlotte, NC.
See all 10 photos
A much visited site in Charlotte, NC.

A Woman Called Charlotte

The City of Charlotte in Mecklinberg County was named a year previous to its founding to honor the mistress of King George III of England during colonial days. This was Charlotte, or "Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz" a German woman of royalty that married George. This is a reason that the city is called the Queen City. However, during the Revolutionary War, so much dissent and rebellion was given the British by the American Colonists, that the city became known as The Hornet's Nest - much in keeping with the US Naval Jack motto Don't Tread on Me. Colonials that felt English rule to be abusive would not submit to defeat and became like dangerous members of the animal world to the Redcoats.

The city started out as a trading post and fort near the Catawba River, constructed at the crossing of two Native American pathways. The Charlotte area became a gateway for travel from the north to the south for new settlers and remained so, leading to a health Travel and Tourism Industry today. Wagon trails, railroads and a railroad hub, major highways, and finally airports locked in transportation revenues and opportunities.

Some settlers stayed on in Charlotte in stead of moving on and built a number of churches of different denominations, leading to another nickname - Church City. In the 21st Century, numerous organizations and publications have names Charlotte a Best City as well - best place to live, best place to begin a new business, and many others. Adding to the church city reputation, world famous evangelist Billy Graham was born in Charlotte. A large library in the city is a tribute to his work around the globe.

The Billy Graham installation is quite welcoming. A tour of buildings and grounds takes three hours, with an on site cafe and book store for the convenience of visitors.

US Naval Jack, an early flag.
US Naval Jack, an early flag.

NASCAR Hall of Fame

Skyline of Uptown-Downtown, under constant development.
Skyline of Uptown-Downtown, under constant development.

I-77 Corridor Creates Economic Health

I-77 runs from Cleveland OH through Charlotte and on to Flordia. Carowinds Theme Park is just one of the attractions in North Carolina on I-77.
I-77 runs from Cleveland OH through Charlotte and on to Flordia. Carowinds Theme Park is just one of the attractions in North Carolina on I-77.

Long-Term Jobs Increase 2005 - 2012

Tremendous Increases in 2011 - 2012
Tremendous Increases in 2011 - 2012
Source: Data provided by Indeed.com, a search and trending engine for jobs.
Source: Data provided by Indeed.com, a search and trending engine for jobs.

37% Increase Overall for March '08 - October '09

Note the upswing July - October 2009. Data provided by SimplyHired.com, a search engine for jobs.
Note the upswing July - October 2009. Data provided by SimplyHired.com, a search engine for jobs.

Top High Demand Jobs In the Greater Charlotte Area

In late November, a continuing trend revealed approximately 17,000 open jobs within 25 miles of Charlotte, and 12,000 open positions within just 5 miles of the city. The long-term most frequently listed positions are:

  1. Project Managers
  2. Cashiers
  3. Assistant Managers
  4. Business Analysts
  5. Sales Associates/Salespersons
  6. Physical Therapists
  7. Occupational Therapists
  8. Restaurant and Food Service Delivery Drivers
  9. Java Developers
  10. Assistant Restaurant and Food Service Managers
  11. Registered Nurses (RNs)
  12. Sales Representatives
  13. Restaurant and Food Service Team Members (Crew, frontline workers)
  14. Staff Accountants
  15. Data Analysts

NOTE: Seasonal UPS related jobs are always available in this shipping and transport city of Charlotte on the major highway I-77, but many positions are available outside of the usual winter holidays as well. Food service, retail, and accomodations jobs, including management, increase during the winter holidays, but remain in an overall increase since 2005.

Largest Companies

These companies maintain the largest employee groups in Charlotte:

  1. Bank of America Corp - also a top hiring company.
  2. International Paper Co
  3. Mid South Metal Buyers
  4. Wachovia Corp
  5. Duke Energy Corp
  6. Schneider National Inc
  7. Continental Tire North America

Top Hiring Companies

  1. IBM
  2. Food Lion
  3. Bayada Nurses
  4. Novant Health
  5. Medical Connections, Inc
  6. Tenet Healthcare Corporation
  7. AppleOne
  8. TEKsystems
  9. Noviant Health
  10. CDI Corporation
  11. Comsys
  12. Bank Of America
  13. Energy Placement
  14. Harris Teeter and Pizza Hut - Yum! Brands, Inc. (tied)
  15. Adecco and Slpjobs.com (tied)

Projected High Growth Jobs to 2016

Entries in bold print are already in 2009, in the top most-frequently listed (high demand) job openings in the Charlotte area.

  1. Customer Service Representatives (CSRs)
  2. Retail Sales People
  3. Combined Food Prep & Service Jobs - includes crew and managers
  4. Home Health Aides (HHAs) - and similar aide positions, personal/healthcare.
  5. Registered Nurses (RNs)
  6. Waitstaff
  7. Janitors and Cleaners
  8. Bookkeepers, Accountants, Auditors and related Clerks
  9. General Office Clerks
  10. Executive Secretaries & Administrative Assistants
  11. Landscapers, Groundskeepers and helpers
  12. Tellers
  13. Sales Representatives, in Wholesale and Manufacturing
  14. Construction Laborers and Supervisors and Carpenters
  15. Business Operations jobs

Job Market Is Increasing To the East In the Research Triangle

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Charlotte NC -
Charlotte, NC, USA
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Research Triangle Park -
Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, USA
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Jobs Steady and Increasing in Durham - Wakefield To the East

Source: Permission with attribution: Data provided by SimplyHired, a search engine for jobs.
Job Trends, Wakefield-Durham NC. New Increases since January 2012.
Job Trends, Wakefield-Durham NC. New Increases since January 2012.
Source: Indeed.com searches millions of jobs from thousands of job sites.

Higher Education

Charlotte is certainly a college town, given the number of high quality universities and colleges in and around the city. Higher education facilities often draw funding, research professionals, and new businesses into a city, thereby creating new fields of work and additional job listings for residents. Students are drawn to such cities and often stay on after graduation.

Charlotte Professional and Semi Pro Sports

  • Charlotte Knights Baseball
  • Carolina Panthers Football NFL
  • Charlotte Bobcats Basketball NBA
  • Charlotte Checkers Ice Hockey ECH
  • Charlotte Professional Wrestling NWA
  • Charlotte Eagles Soccer USL-2
  • Charlotte Lady Eagles Soccer W-League
  • Charlotte Roller Girls - Roller Derby, flat track.
  • Carolina Speed Indoor Football AIFA
  • Charlotte Rugby Football Club RSL

Comments and Additions

Hello, hello, profile image

Hello, hello, 2 years ago

That was interesting and i thank you for sharing.

dusanotes profile image

dusanotes 2 years ago

I have never been to North or South Carolina, two of the few states I've never been to. (perhaps the only such states) So it has been good for me to read these hubs of yours. They give everyone a little more insight on what is to be found in such places as Charlotte. Thanks for the Hub, Don White

MarygrauSheila 2 years ago

Wow. I enjoyed reading. Congratulations

sw charlotte 6 weeks ago

sad to say it living in charlotte,nc has been hard to try to get a job anywhere at this moment

sources

Ive tried for like 6+ months

Patty Inglish, MS profile image

Patty Inglish, MS Hub Author 6 weeks ago

There are 17,000 jobs open in Charlotte and suburbs right now!

Go to the county jobs offices and ask for help with jobs and training. There are 1000's of jobs in the Research Triangle that covers 8 counties as well.

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