Top Jobs of 2008

Over next 10 years total employment is expected to increase by nearly 16 million jobs, according to the most recent projections provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Almost all employment growth between 2006 and 2016 will occur in the service-providing sector, which will account for 75 percent of all jobs by the year 2016. Professional and related professions and service occupations are projected to grow most quickly, accounting for more than 6 of every 10 new jobs created between 2006-2016. Twenty-eight of the 30 fastest-growing jobs are in professional and related occupations and service positions.

30 fastest-growing growing occupations for 2006-2016

1. Network systems and data communications analysts 2006 employment: 262,000 2016 employment projection: 402,000 Growth rate: 53% Salary range: $46,500+ Education/training: Bachelor’s degree 2. Personal and home care aides 2006 employment: 767,000 2016 employment projection: 1,156,000 Growth rate: 51% Salary range: Less than $21,500 Education/training: On-the-job training 3. Home health aides 2006 employment: 787,000 2016 employment projection: 1,171,000 Growth rate: 50% Salary range: Less than $21,500 Education/training: On-the-job training 4. Computer software engineers, applications 2006 employment: 507,000 2016 employment projection: 733,000 Growth rate: 42% Salary range: $46,500+ Education/training: Bachelor’s degree 5. Veterinary technologists and technicians 2006 employment: 71,000 2016 employment projection: 100,000 Growth rate: 40% Salary range: $21,260 - $30,560 Education/training: Associate degree 6. Personal financial advisors 2006 employment: 176,000 2016 employment projection: 248,000 Growth rate: 43% Salary range: $46,500+ Education/training: Bachelor’s degree 7. Makeup artists, theatrical and performance 2006 employment: 2,000 2016 employment projection: 3,000 Growth rate: 40% Salary range: $30,630 - $46,300 Education/training: Postsecondary vocational award 8. Medical assistants 2006 employment: 417,000 2016 employment projection: 565,000 Growth rate: 35% Salary range: $21,260 - $30,560 Education/training: Moderate on-the-job training 9. Veterinarians 2006 employment: 62,000 2016 employment projection: 84,000 Growth rate: 35% Salary range: $46,500+ Education/training: First professional degree 10. Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors 2006 employment: 83,000 2016 employment projection: 112,000 Growth rate: 34% Salary range: $30,630 - $46,300 Education/training: Bachelor’s degree 11. Skin care specialists 2006 employment: 38,000 2016 employment projection: 51,000 Growth rate: 34.3 Salary range: $21,260 - $30,560 Education/training: Postsecondary vocational award 12. Financial analysts 2006 employment: 221,000 2016 employment projection: 295,000 Growth rate: 32% Salary range: $46,500+ Education/training: Bachelor’s degree 13. Social and human service assistants 2006 employment: 339,000 2016 employment projection: 453,000 Growth rate: 35% Salary range: $21,260 - $30,560 Education/training: Moderate on-the-job training 14. Gaming surveillance officers and gaming investigators 2006 employment: 9,000 2016 employment projection: 12,000 Growth rate: 33% Salary range: $21,260 - $30,560 Education/training: Moderate on-the-job training 15. Physical therapist assistants 2006 employment: 60,000 2016 employment projection: 80,000 Growth rate: 32% Salary range: $30,630 - $46,300 Education/training: Associate degree 16. Pharmacy technicians 2006 employment: 285,000 2016 employment projection: 376,000 Growth rate: 32% Salary range: $21,260 - $30,560 Education/training: Moderate on-the-job training 17. Forensic science technicians 2006 employment: 13,000 2016 employment projection: 17,000 Growth rate: 29% Salary range: $30,630 - $46,300 Education/training: Bachelor’s degree 18. Dental hygienists 2006 employment: 167,000 2016 employment projection: 217,000 Growth rate: 30% Salary range: $46,500+ Education/training: Associate degree 19. Mental health counselors 2006 employment: 100,000 2016 employment projection: 130,000 Growth rate: 30% Salary range: $30,630 - $46,300 Education/training: Master’s degree 20. Mental health and substance abuse social workers 2006 employment: 122,000 2016 employment projection: 159,000 Growth rate: 31% Salary range: $30,630 - $46,300 Education/training: Master’s degree 21. Marriage and family therapists 2006 employment: 25,000 2016 employment projection: 32,000 Growth rate: 30% Salary range: $30,630 - $46,300 Education/training: Master’s degree 22. Dental assistants 2006 employment: 280,000 2016 employment projection: 362,000 Growth rate: 30% Salary range: $21,260 - $30,560 Education/training: Moderate on-the-job training 23. Computer systems analysts 2006 employment: 504,000 2016 employment projection: 650,000 Growth rate: 28% Salary range: $46,500+ Education/training: Bachelor’s degree 24. Database administrators 2006 employment: 119,000 2016 employment projection: 154,000 Growth rate: 26% Salary range: $46,500+ Education/training: Bachelor’s degree 25. Computer software engineers, systems software 2006 employment: 350,000 2016 employment projection: 449,000 Growth rate: 25% Salary range: $46,500+ Education/training: Bachelor’s degree 26. Gaming and sports book writers and runners 2006 employment: 18,000 2016 employment projection: 24,000 Growth rate: 26% Salary range: Less than $21,500 Education/training: On-the-job training 27. Environmental science and protection technicians 2006 employment: 36,000 2016 employment projection: 47,000 Growth rate: 28% Salary range: $30,630 - $46,300 Education/training: Associate degree 28. Manicurists and pedicurists 2006 employment: 78,000 2016 employment projection: 100,000 Growth rate: 28% Salary range: Less than $21,500 Education/training: Postsecondary vocational award 29. Physical therapists 2006 employment: 173,000 2016 employment projection: 200,000 Growth rate: 28% Salary range: $46,500+ Education/training: Master’s degree 30. Physician assistants 2006 employment: 66,000 2016 employment projection: 83,000 Growth rate: 27% Salary range: $46,500+ Education/training: Master’s degree

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