(AP) – The Kansas Department of Labor is predicting total employment in the state will increase by nearly 10% through 2018.

The department released its occupational outlook report this month as a guide to help students, educators and businesses plan for the future.

The report predicts Kansas will gain an average of more than 14,700 a year through 2018. The health care and social assistance sector is expected to account for nearly 13% of total growth, which would put it ahead of manufacturing as the state’s leading industry.

More than 45% of all job growth is expected to occur in the Kansas City region. The report also says jobs that require a doctoral degree are expected to grow by nearly 21%.