Compensation and Benefits Managers

Forbes: 10 Disappearing Middle-Class Jobs

Five-year decline: 34.2 percent

Why it's declining: This position contracted by 18,500 jobs in five years, likely because new technologies are taking over many of these job functions.
(Photo: Sean Locke/istockphoto)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.Images)

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10 Disappearing ... The troubled economy sped up many of the structural employment changes already occurring, and those with good middle-class jobs were not immune. Due to technological, sector or global market changes, the following middle-class jobs have contracted significantly. Based on occupational employment numbers from 2004 to 2009, provided by Moody's, the following well-paying jobs may be disappearing before our eyes.
(Photo: Sean Locke/istockphoto)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.Images)
Travel Agents Five-year decline: 14 percent

Why it's declining: This field contracted by 12,500 jobs in just five years. Economists believe Internet technology is erasing the demand for these workers.
(Photo: Rob Melnychuk/Getty)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.Images)
Vocational Educa... Five-year decline: 14.4 percent

Why it's declining: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, these teachers of career or technical subjects earn an average of $54,000 a year. The positions may be on the decline due to budget cuts in the public system.
(Photo: Getty Images)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.Images)
Broadcast News A... Five-year decline: 15.9 percent

Why it's declining: These jobs are getting hit by the structural changes within media, as news organizations transition content to the Web and adjust to deflated advertising revenue.
(Photo: Thinkstock)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.Images)
Agricultural Eng... Five-year decline: 18.4 percent

Why it's declining: This specialty employs the smallest number of workers than any in the engineering field. Despite the fact that general engineering positions are quickly growing, economists say the agricultural sector is contracting.
(Photo: istockphoto)

More From Forbes:
The 10 Best Employers In Retail
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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.Images)
Transit and Rail... Five-year decline: 18.7 percent

Why it's declining: These workers earn about $50,000 annually, and those in the highest percentile can earn upwards of $80,000 a year. Not only did these positions decline significantly in the last decade, occupation organization O*NET Online anticipates slower than average growth through 2018.
(Photo: Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images)

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The 10 Best Employers In Retail
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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.Images)
Law Clerks Five-year decline: 22.9 percent

Why it's declining: The number of law clerks decreased by nearly 10,000 between 2004 and 2005. Economists speculate that the position may be contracting due to new technologies, offshoring and, as the partner track shrinks, increased pressure in law firms.
(Photo: Thinkstock)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.Images)
Proofreaders and... Five-year decline: 31 perecnt

Why it's declining: This middle-class job requiring a four-year college degree and offering flexibility and an average salary of about $30,000 is on the chopping block. It contracted by over 6,000 positions in five years and is expected to continue shrinking through 2018 due to technology advances and shrinking media organizations.
(Photo: Thinkstock)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.Images)
Mathematical Tec... Five-year decline: 31.4 percent

Why it's declining: These general mathematical jobs may be harder to find as companies seek out more specialized workers like statisticians and cost estimators, which added jobs between 2004 and 2009.
(Photo: Getty Images)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.Images)
Advertising and ... Five-year decline: 32.7 percent

Why it's declining: This occupation shrunk by more than 17,000 jobs in five years, and economists believe the contraction is related to new technologies and a shift to Internet advertising.
(Photo: Reggie Casagrande/Getty Images)

More From Forbes:
The 10 Best Employers In Retail
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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.Images)
Compensation and... Five-year decline: 34.2 percent

Why it's declining: This position contracted by 18,500 jobs in five years, likely because new technologies are taking over many of these job functions.
(Photo: Sean Locke/istockphoto)

More From Forbes:
The 10 Best Employers In Retail
The Year’s Most Creative Advertising Campaigns
America’s Favorite Bosses

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.Images)
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