List reveals West Michigan’s most in-demand careers

AgricultureConstructionHealthHospitalityTechManufacturing

Feb 6

Written By Staff

West Michigan Works! has released its 2026 HotJobs! list, highlighting more than 107 in-demand careers across seven high-growth industries: agribusiness, construction, health sciences, hospitality, information technology, manufacturing, and professional and administrative services. This year, occupations spanning all seven industries increased by 27%, including roles in marketing, public relations, human resources, finance, operations, project management, purchasing, training and development, data analysis, facilities, and information systems.

While many of these roles are traditionally associated with higher education, just 37% of this year’s HotJobs! require a bachelor’s degree or more.

46 jobs on the 2026 list were not included on last year’s list, reflecting evolving employer needs and emerging opportunities.

“Each year, our HotJobs! list offers something for everyone—from hands-on trades to tech, healthcare, and even marketing and finance,” said Amy Lebednick, business solutions director at West Michigan Works!. “It’s an encouraging reminder that there are many rewarding career paths in West Michigan, with a variety of education and training options to help people get started or move ahead.”

The HotJobs! list allows job seekers to quickly identify careers that qualify for West Michigan Works! training scholarships and can be filtered by median wage, recommended training and education, and local demand.

West Michigan Works! and community partners use the HotJobs! list to support career exploration, identify transferable skills, and inform decisions around funding for occupational training.

“Employers and educators are key partners in helping individuals access meaningful career pathways,” Lebednick added. “By using the HotJobs! list to guide training investments and curriculum development, we’re ensuring that job seekers are prepared for real opportunities in our region’s most in-demand fields.”

Occupations on the HotJobs! list have an average growth rate of 8.5 percent; at least 50 annual openings across Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, and Ottawa counties; and wages at or above $15.34.

The list is developed using data from Lightcast and the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, and is vetted by local employers. Selected jobs demonstrate growth rates more than double the regional average and offer strong wage potential, ranging from the 25th to the 90th percentile.

Job seekers can explore the 2026 HotJobs! list and connect with a career coach at: https://www.westmiworks.org/job-seekers/hot-jobs/.

West Michigan Newspop Digital Partners