20 Nov Moving the Needle on Opportunities for High School and Two-Year Degrees Holders in Mecklenburg County
At the core of Mecklenburg County, there’s a rhythm of niche career and skilled talent, pulsing through warehouses, medical offices, and emerging tech corridors. Over a third of the county’s workforce, people not with four-year degrees but with high school diplomas or associate degrees, power this quiet engine. Their paychecks? $30,000 to $55,000 a year—modest for a region with a rising cost of living and still not enough to survive in this growing hub.
Talent demographics characteristics: The Faces Behind the Jobs
For every ten high school graduates entering the workforce, five are men, five are women, however for associate degree holders, there are six women for every four men. The racial aspect tells another story: 45% White, 30% Black, 15% Hispanic, 5% Asian. Among associate degree holders, Hispanic workers see a modest increase, reflecting growing community college engagement. The ages are younger than you might expect with high school graduates starting their careers at 18, and associate degree holders just out of their 20s. It’s a workforce as diverse as the jobs they do.
Five Years of Growth: An evolving talent supply ecosystem
For the past five years, healthcare support roles grew by 15%. For every ten medical assistants or pharmacy technicians in 2019, there are twelve today. Trades, often overlooked but always essential, have seen a 10% annual growth—HVAC and electrical technicians are practically running Mecklenburg’s expansion. These traditional careers have evolved into niche occupations with the integration of AI across industries.
AI: The Unseen Partner in Growth
In healthcare, AI is not only used by physicians and doctors but also by medical assistants, helping automate appointments and streamline patient care. In the construction sector, HVAC technicians are using AI diagnostic tools like a sixth sense, detecting problems proactively. AI doesn’t necessarily replace jobs here—it amplifies them, offering tools to workers who know how to wield them, and is driving the creation of new job titles and careers.
Unlock an Untapped Talent Supply: Create Skills-Based Career Pathways
Attention Employers:
If you are hiring for any of the top 10 niche careers in Mecklenburg County, you have the potential to create a competitive advantage by accessing a largely untapped talent pool. Focusing on hiring those without a bachelors degree and developing their skills means that you have access to a larger talent supply and can get candidates with a strong foundation ready to be refined through experience.
The chart below highlights the available talent for these top 10 niche careers, each with an average salary of $45,000. By focusing on re/upskilling individuals with general skill sets—such as sales specialists, electricians, editors, compliance specialists, or automotive technicians—you can seamlessly transition them into roles that require a fundamental understanding of AI and automation.
By investing in skills-based career pathways:
- Unlock Unconventional Talent: Tap into a reservoir of candidates eager to learn and adapt, diversifying your workforce.
- Cultivate Loyalty: Employees developed through internal training are more likely to stay, reducing turnover costs.
- Drive Innovation: Fresh perspectives from diverse backgrounds can lead to innovative solutions and approaches.
Let’s collaborate to build a future-ready workforce. By creating and supporting skills-based pathways, you not only address immediate staffing needs but also contribute to a sustainable talent ecosystem that benefits your organization and the wider community.
Source: Lightcast, Charlotte Works Analysis of Talent Supply by Compensation, 2024
Insights on the Top 10
- Electric Vehicle Technician: With EVs rolling off production lines and into driveways, these specialists earn $50,000 to $60,000. The field is doubling in size with the development of local electric vehicle hubs
- Industry News: Right to Repair EVs
- Renewable Energy Technician: Green jobs are more than a trend here. Earning $45,000, these workers see demand grow annually as solar panels are seen across rooftops, being more utilized in residential and commercial real estate.
- Local Focus: RENEW Program
- Digital Forensics Technician: The detectives of the digital age earn around $60,000 and have seen demand grow by 14% as cybercrime becomes a modern plague.
- Spotlight: What is digital evidence?
- Home Automation Installer: They bring smart homes to life, earning $45,000 while riding a wave of 10% annual job growth.
- Local Industry: Snap One
- Automotive Restoration Technician: These roles pay $40,000 to $50,000 and are fueled by the strong automotive sector in the county and region.
- AI Trainer/Curator: This emerging AI job involves curating and refining the datasets that AI models learn from, ensuring they are comprehensive and unbiased. They use these datasets to train, test, and sometimes validate the AI to perform tasks accurately. The role involves a blend of technical skills in data science and machine learning.
- AI Research: Impact of AI
- AI Support Specialist: Assisting in the implementation and maintenance of AI systems, these specialists earn between $50,000 and $60,000 annually. The role has emerged in response to the integration of AI across various sectors.
- AI Content Writer: With the proliferation of AI-generated content, there’s a growing need for professionals who can oversee and refine AI-produced materials, ensuring they meet quality standards and align with brand messaging. This role typically offers salaries ranging from $50,000 to $70,000, depending on experience and industry.
- AI Sales Specialist: As companies increasingly adopt AI solutions, sales specialists with a deep understanding of AI products and services are in demand. They bridge the gap between technical teams and clients, explaining complex AI concepts in accessible terms. Salaries for this role can range from $60,000 to $80,000, with potential bonuses based on performance.
- AI Policy Analyst: With the rapid integration of AI into various sectors, there is a need for professionals who can analyze and develop policies to ensure ethical and effective AI deployment. This role involves understanding both the technical and regulatory aspects of AI, with salaries typically ranging from $55,000 to $75,000.
Call to Action: Create Pathways for Middle-Skill Workers
We all must do more to expand access to opportunity and create more pathsway for people without a four-year degree. Job seekers aren’t just filling a role; they’re supporting families and our developing vibrant communities.
Employers need to step up and train people instead of waiting for perfect candidates. Tax breaks for apprenticeship programs can build a steady flow of skilled, loyal workers. By developing talent, employers fill immediate needs and strengthen the workforce.
Career training centers, community colleges, and apprenticeships are vital for middle-skill workers. More employers should engage with them. Organizations like Charlotte Works, working with Central Piedmont Community College in Mecklenburg County, connect job seekers to roles tailored for them, making the path to careers clear for those with high school and two-year degrees.
Together, we can create a future where everyone has a fair chance to succeed, and make Charlotte-Mecklenburg a more economically viable and equitable place for all.