The 100 BEST JOBS
The 100 Best Jobs
The U.S. workforce has myriad talents, desires and lifestyles, so there is no one best job that suits each one of us. But if we were to define a good job generally, there are some unequivocal factors. The best jobs pay well. They challenge you without stressing you out too much. There’s room to grow and advance. Maybe most importantly, the best jobs are ones that are hiring. From dentist, to accountant, to middle school teacher and civil engineer, the occupations on U.S. News’ list of 100 Best Jobs of 2015 are ranked according to their ability to offer this elusive mix. Read more about how we rank the best jobs, and check out our complete list.
Dentist
(4.1 out of 5)
Your dentist isn’t just concerned with your teeth. He or she might also notice signs of undiagnosed diabetes, oral cancer and heart disease during a dental exam. A comfortable median salary of $146,340 and good work-life balance have helped this intrinsic health care job secure the top spot on our best jobs list once again, and the BLS expects 23,300 new dentist jobs through the year 2022.
Nurse Practitioner
(4.1 out of 5)
Nurse practitioners have an array of capabilities, coupled with the fact they can work independently of physicians when treating patients. The BLS predicts 37,100 new positions for these professionals between 2012 and 2022.
Software Developer
(4.0 out of 5)
You can blame a software developer for the obsession you had with the Flappy Bird app or your dependency on your Samsung Galaxy phone. These professionals usually fall into two camps: There are the application developers, who design computer software and databases, then there are the systems-focused developers who build operating systems, such as Linux or iOS. Growth for both types should balloon: The Labor Department predicts there will be nearly 140,000 brand new positions created before 2022.
Physician
(3.9 out of 5)
Physicians are the top of the health care food chain – it’s their responsibility to diagnose and treat patients, and instruct on proper diet, hygiene and disease prevention. Like other jobs in this industry, physicians will see abundant job growth. The BLS forecasts 123,300 new job openings for physicians from 2012 to 2022.
Dental Hygienist
(3.9 out of 5)
Dental hygienists don’t just clean teeth, they also educate patients on proper oral hygiene. And something important to note: They make yearly salaries of about $71,110, although many work part time. Expect 33.3 percent employment growth for this field up to 2022.
Physical Therapist
(3.9 out of 5)
A physical therapist’s job includes helping paralytics regain mobility, cancer survivors renew their strength, athletes recover from an injury and so much more. The profession is expected to grow 36 percent by 2022.
Computer Systems Analyst
(3.8 out of 5)
To excel in this job, you need to be both goal-focused and process-oriented. Computer systems analysts must understand computer hardware, software and networks and how they work together, so they can make recommendations to organizations for the best operations systems to use. The Labor Department predicts 24.5 percent employment growth for this job through 2022.
Information Security Analyst
(3.8 out of 5)
It’s a no-brainer that this profession is growing – at a rate of 36.5 percent through 2022 – as we become increasingly reliant on technology to facilitate our every day. So what does the profession entail? Information security analysts plan and monitor security of computer networks for companies and government agencies. They also troubleshoot any security breaches that should occur.
Registered Nurse
(3.8 out of 5)
A registered nurse is the bedrock player of a hospital or health care setting, and each year more qualified workers are needed to fill this role. The BLS anticipates 19.4 percent employment growth for our No. 9 occupation between 2012 and 2022.
Physician Assistant
(3.8 out of 5)
Working under the supervision of doctors, physician assistants interpret X-rays and blood tests, record patients’ progress, conduct routine exams and treat a range of ailments. When you couple growth projections for 33,300 new jobs with a razor-thin 1.4 percent unemployment rate – one of the lowest on our Best Jobs list overall – the job outlook for physician assistants is quite strong.
Full Review | Salary Details |
Web Developer
(3.8 out of 5)
Web developers are responsible for the sleek fonts and clean layout you love on your favorite websites. The Labor Department considers this one of the fastest-growing jobs this decade, and it predicts employment will swell by about 20 percent by 2022.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
(3.8 out of 5)
This job has both social and technical elements. The technical: Sonographers must master medical equipment and make sure the patient is properly placed to get a clear image. And the social: They interact with nervous patients awaiting information on a medical condition. Sonographers made a median salary of $66,410 in 2013, and there will be 27,000 openings by 2022.
Occupational Therapist
(3.7 out of 5)
Not all therapy involves evaluating clients reclining on Barcaloungers. Occupational therapists, for instance, help patients with physical, mental and developmental disabilities to assimilate in society. It’s one health care occupation especially on the rise, with 29 percent employment growth expected between 2012 and 2022.
Market Research Analyst
(3.7 out of 5)
Market research analysts study our habits as consumers, then use those observations to counsel companies on packaging, branding and selling products. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an impressive 31.6 percent employment increase for this occupation between 2012 and 2022.
Marketing Manager
(3.7 out of 5)
Sending the right message about a product can take that product from shelf-warmer to must-have sensation. That’s what effective marketing managers do – highlight what’s fresh and relevant about a commodity to entice consumers. Our No. 15 job ranks so well partly due to its high median salary: $123,220 in 2013.
Accountant
(3.6 out of 5)
Were you the kid who made straight A’s in math? A career full of audits, taxes and accounts receivable might await you. The Labor Department predicts more than 166,000 new openings will be created in this field by 2022.
School Psychologist
(3.6 out of 5)
School psychologists wear a variety of hats, including counselor, administrator and researcher. Occasionally, they might even dabble in social outreach. And fortunately, this is a growing field for the qualified: Schools aiming to address the learning and emotional needs of students are on the hunt for school psychologists, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 11.3 percent uptick in the occupation by 2022.
Mechanical Engineer
(3.6 out of 5)
If you’re looking for work that offers the perfect blend of right- and left-brain thinking, consider mechanical engineering. In this line of work you’d get the chance to shepherd devices from the theoretical design phase (hence, the right brain) to the technical production phase. The profession makes our list for its low unemployment rate of 2.7 percent and comfortable median salary of $82,100.
Occupational Therapy Assistant
(3.6 out of 5)
Occupational therapy assistants work alongside occupational therapists, assessing patients’ abilities and devising plans for improving their quality of life. Demand is particularly high in this occupation as baby boomers age. Expect 42.6 employment growth and 12,900 new job openings through 2022.
Operations Research Analyst
(3.6 out of 5)
Like a market research analyst, the No. 20 job is also an advisory position – one that involves helping businesses and organizations operate more efficiently. The BLS projects employment growth of nearly 27 percent for operations research analysts by 2022.
IT Manager
(3.6 out of 5)
As the head of a company’s information technology department, IT managers are the go-tos when your email won’t send or your word processor won’t start. They triage the operations of an organization’s technical network, and they’re a growing profession. Expect 50,900 new positions by the year 2022.
Civil Engineer
(3.5 out of 5)
Want one reason civil engineering makes for a cool job? Part of the payoff comes from stopping to take a look around. The fruits of civil engineers’ labors are seen everywhere – they have hands in building bridges, retrofitting buildings and damming reservoirs. By 2022, the BLS predicts there will be 53,700 new openings.
Cost Estimator
(3.5 out of 5)
Before the first hammer is swung, a cost estimator coordinates with engineers,architects and construction managers to determine a project’s technical, mechanical and fiscal requirements. Are you hyper-organized and a critical thinker? Then our No. 23 could be a good fit. It’s a good time to enter this line of work, too, as the Labor Department predicts the cost estimating occupation will swell by more than 26 percent before 2022.
Esthetician
(3.5 out of 5)
Become a skin care specialist and you’ll work closely with clients to evaluate their skin condition, discuss treatments and improve their appearance. And one in-the-moment perk to this field: It’s booming, with 39.8 percent expected job growth through 2022, according to the BLS.
Financial Advisor
(3.5 out of 5)
Very few laymen and women enjoy or are capable of digging through the red tape and legalese of investments, taxes and insurance, which is why the BLS anticipates 27 percent employment growth for personal financial advisors this decade. This occupation ranks high thanks to low unemployment numbers and an above-average work-life balance.
Logistician
(3.5 out of 5)
Very few laymen and women enjoy or are capable of digging through the red tape and legalese of investments, taxes and insurance, which is why the BLS anticipates 27 percent employment growth for personal financial advisors this decade. This occupation ranks high thanks to low unemployment numbers and an above-average work-life balance.
Pharmacist
(3.4 out of 5)
Pharmacists mix technical, organizational and people skills in a customer service environment. Each day, more than 287,420 pharmacists dispense medicine and advice to patients at hospitals and retail chains. The profession is expected to grow 14.5 percent by 2022.
Medical Equipment Repairer
(3.4 out of 5)
Some simple math: More patients who qualify for health coverage + more professionals to provide that care = more medical equipment breaking down. And if this math equation turns out to be true, medical equipment repairers should have outstanding employment growth through to 2022. The BLS projects more than 30 percent growth and 12,800 new positions.
Dietitian and Nutritionist
(3.4 out of 5)
Dietitians and nutritionists advise clients on food choice, develop meal plans and track progress to live a healthier lifestyle or reach a nutritional goal. According to the BLS, this job should grow by more than 21 percent by 2022.
Speech-Language Pathologist
(3.4 out of 5)
These professionals, also known as speech therapists, assess and diagnose people with disorders and challenges related to verbal communication. They work frequently with social workers, doctors and teachers to improve clients’ speech.
Computer Systems Administrator
(3.4 out of 5)
Network and computer systems administrators keep your emails sending and your Web pages loading, plus they lend their tech-savvy skills to managing telecommunication networks. This profession is expected to add 42,900 new positions by 2022.
Radiologic Technologist
(3.4 out of 5)
Technologists use X-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging equipment to assist physicians with diagnosing patients. As with other health care posts, this one will also expand – 20.8 percent by 2022.
Insurance Agent
(3.4 out of 5)
Job prospects for agents who sell health and long-term care insurance should be particularly strong, the BLS reports, and independent sales agents will fare better than those looking to work for an insurance company. In total, there may be 45,900 new jobs created for our No. 33 job.
Database Administrator
(3.4 out of 5)
This in-demand profession involves setting up databases to fit a company’s need, then maintaining those databases’ operations. The Labor Department predicts this field will add 17,900 new positions by 2022.
Marriage and Family Therapist
(3.4 out of 5)
Marriage and family therapists face a tall order: play the role of middleman (or woman), peacemaker and sounding board for two married people. The BLS projects a 30.6 percent spike in the profession by 2022.
Epidemiologist
(3.4 out of 5)
If you watched the news during the Ebola virus outbreak of 2014, then you probably know what epidemiologists do. The profession involves investigating the causes of diseases and researching ways to prevent those diseases from spreading. Employment isn’t growing as rapidly as in the past, but it’s still doing well, with 13.1 percent expected growth before 2022.
Construction Manager
(3.3 out of 5)
Concerned with planning, budgeting and overseeing a project from start to finish, a construction manager has one of the hardest jobs on the construction site. The nearly 80,000 new managers expected to enter the field this decade should pursue a bachelor’s degree in construction management, architecture or engineering.
Substance Abuse Counselor
(3.3 out of 5)
In this occupation, you can be a guiding light for individuals wanting to shelve an addictive, destructive lifestyle for one of normalcy. According to the BLS, the field will add 28,200 new positions by 2022, partly because the justice system is proscribing treatment-oriented sentences rather than jail time.
Elementary School Teacher
(3.3 out of 5)
Elementary school teachers do more than educate. They also advocate for, boost the morale of, entertain and befriend our children. We can expect 167,900 more job openings for grade school teachers by the year 2022, with the most job opportunities in southern and western states.
Bookkeeping, Accounting and Audit Clerk
(3.3 out of 5)
Having a penchant for organization and numbers is essential for a budding bookkeeping, accounting and audit clerk, and good opportunities for employment are expected as regulations in the financial sector constrict. Anticipate 204,600 new jobs in this industry by 2022.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse
(3.3 out of 5)
The nature of this work means that licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses often have an intimate, especially hands-on relationships with patients – checking vitals, performing enemas, dressing wounds and more. It also means this is a position where new qualified personnel are almost always needed. Between 2012 and 2022, the BLS predicts 182,900 new job openings will pop up at a rate of nearly 25 percent.
Optician
(3.3 out of 5)
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you know what this health care professional does, but in case you don’t: Opticians fit clients for the prescription eyewear they need to see properly. Their field is growing, with 15,800 new positions opening at a rate of 23.4 percent between 2012 and 2022.
High School Teacher
(3.3 out of 5)
High school teachers work with the most tempestuous of student – the teenager. But the work is rewarding – educating, advising and preparing a classroom for the first forays into adulthood. The BLS predicts that there will be 52,900 new high-school teaching positions to fill by 2022.
Loan Officer
(3.3 out of 5)
Borrowing money is confusing and stressful, and processing student loans, auto loans or mortgage applications involves more than red tape and number crunching. It requires emotional intelligence as well. Expect some job growth in this field as lending activity rallies: The BLS predicts nearly 23,000 openings for loan officers by 2022.
Middle School Teacher
(3.3 out of 5)
Middle school teachers have a tall task: educating adolescents while contending with their helter-skelter hormones. Increased enrollment in schools should translate to approximately 76,000 new teaching positions, and the BLS predicts the most openings for teachers in the South and West.
Physical Therapist Assistant
(3.3 out of 5)
There’s a slightly lower education bar to enter this occupation than to become a physical therapist, but assistants do many of the same tasks, including monitoring therapeutic exercises, observing progress in a treatment plan and offering proper education for patients post treatment. And this occupation is growing at breakneck speed: 41 percent between 2012 and 2022.
Business Operations Manager
(3.3 out of 5)
Whether you think of your business operations manager as the GM, the big cheese or the boss lady, he or she is charged with making tactical and strategic decisions necessary to run a department. The best have top-notch communication skills, a knack for time management and the ability to make critical decisions smartly and quickly.
Pharmacy Technician
(3.2 out of 5)
Pharmacy techs work beside pharmacists – counting tablets, packaging medicine and processing insurance claims. This fast-growing occupation should add about 70,700 new positions in the next decade.
Home Health Aide
(3.2 out of 5)
One of the fastest growing positions on our list – with 48,500 new positions expected by 2022 – home health aides help with bathing, dressing and administering medication for people in the comfort of their home.
HR Specialist
(3.2 out of 5)
True or false: More job openings mean more human resources personnel. According to the BLS, true. Employment within this employee training and development job should balloon 15.5 percent from 2012 to 2022.
Respiratory Therapist
(3.2 out of 5)
Not every scrub-wearing hospital attendant is a doctor or nurse. Some are RTs, trained professionals who offer medical care and treatments to patients with heart and lung problems. The BLS forecasts about 19 percent employment growth in this career.
Nail Technician
(3.2 out of 5)
The No. 52 job is a gig you can feel good doing, because – come on – who isn’t happy when getting a manicure and/or pedicure? The statistics company Statista reports that the U.S. market for nail services saw revenues of nearly $8.3 billion in 2013, and those who work in this profession are poised to reap the rewards of this thriving industry. There should be 13,500 new nail technician positions across the U.S. before 2022.
Lawyer
(3.2 out of 5)
Working in law holds a particular appeal for us Americans – to date, 25 of our U.S. presidents have been lawyers – and it’s a good thing, because demand in this profession is strong. There will be about 74,800 new openings for professionals with Juris Doctor degrees by the year 2022.
Medical Secretary
(3.2 out of 5)
Medical secretaries become well-versed in insurance rules, billing practices and hospital procedures. The reward for their diligence: job security, as the BLS projects 36 percent employment growth for this profession in the next decade.
Maintenance and Repair Worker
(3.2 out of 5)
You might think of them as handymen, jacks-of-all-trades or Mr. – and Ms. – Fix-Its. But those in the field refer to maintenance workers as “doctors for the home.” And the BLS predicts we’ll need more than 125,000 new ones by 2022.
Veterinarian
(3.2 out of 5)
Yes, vets are animal doctors, but they’re so much more: They protect food supply by inspecting livestock, they promote public health by fighting animal-borne diseases and they educate people on how to have a healthy relationship with animals. Given the advancements in this field, expect a 12 percent employment jump between 2012 and 2022.
Meeting, Convention and Event Planner
(3.2 out of 5)
If you’re considering this field, work on your patience and problem-solving skills. Event planners are adept at making both minuscule and monstrous logistical decisions for weddings, conventions, orientations and more. The No. 57 job is one of the fastest-growing on our list. Employment should swell by 33.2 percent from 2012 to 2022, the BLS predicts.
Sales Manager
(3.2 out of 5)
A great sales team can catapult a company from obscurity to center stage. For this to happen, its leaders have to be as comfortable meeting new people as they are hiring and supervising. It’s not uncommon for sales managers to be the central faces associated with their companies.
Personal Care Aide
(3.2 out of 5)
Like a home health aide, a personal care aide helps clients bathe and dress. But they could also assist with housekeeping, groceries and errands. The BLS predicts this occupation will grow by 48.8 percent between 2012 and 2022.
Administrative Assistant
(3.2 out of 5)
Today’s administrative assistants are expected to offer support to all echelons of an organization. Yes, they schedule meetings and maintain paper and electronic files, but they also conduct research and assist with managerial projects.
Sales Representative
(3.2 out of 5)
For this job, it helps to be energetic, charming and flexible. Sales representatives travel extensively, introducing and selling products to customers, plus they generate excitement and build a relationship with a product’s loyal clientele. The BLS projects our No. 61 job will experience 8.9 percent employment growth from 2012 to 2022.
Massage Therapist
(3.1 out of 5)
There’s an art to alleviating pain and stress using touch, and there’s a need for massage therapists, the trained professionals with the ability to do just that. The BLS predicts that our No. 62 job will grow 22.6 percent between 2012 and 2022.
Computer Programmer
(3.1 out of 5)
Patience and a generous understanding of how computers function will benefit those interested in computer programming. These IT specialists rewrite, debug, maintain and test the software and programs essential to key computer functions. The Labor Department predicts employment growth for programmers of 8.3 percent through 2022.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician
(3.1 out of 5)
Any veterinarian has a support team: the technologists and techs who handle lab work, assist in surgery, administer anesthesia and collect patient histories. Consider this: Vet techs and technologists also have excellent job prospects and a low unemployment rate. The BLS predicts there will be 25,000 new job openings in this field between 2012 and 2022.
Financial Analyst
(3.1 out of 5)
If you’re studying finance, economics or something related, consider becoming a financial analyst. The BLS is bullish on this occupation’s growth and anticipates nearly 40,000 new jobs by 2022.
Hairdresser
(3.1 out of 5)
Don’t we all secretly wish we could advise our peers on their personal appearance? Hairdressers get paid to do just that. Those who shampoo, cut, style and color hair also often get to make their own hours and, possibly, be their own boss. The BLS predicts 77,600 new positions in the next decade.
Dental Assistant
(3.1 out of 5)
These professionals are often the ones who help us into the dentist chair, sterilize equipment and assist during dental procedures. And their responsibilities are increasing as our population ages. There should be 74,400 new dental assistants by 2022.
Management Analyst
(3.1 out of 5)
A business is only as effective as the people who keep it running. Management analysts understand this and pass their days collecting and deciphering data or recommending game plans to solve the problems plaguing their organizations. The position is expected to grow 18.6 percent by 2022.
Financial Manager
(3.1 out of 5)
Financial managers face a competitive market, but it’s also a growing one. This occupation, which involves overseeing the finances of organizations, should swell with 47,100 new job openings by 2022.
Clinical Social Worker
(3.1 out of 5)
Earning a license in the trade may incorporate elements of biology and chemistry. But the key skill needed to help patients is the ability to empathize with them. With more baby boomers requiring care in the years ahead, the BLS predicts a 26.8 percent growth rate in this profession.
Medical Assistant
(3.1 out of 5)
These health care professionals mix administrative and clinical duties in hospitals and private practices each day, where they man front desks and sterilize equipment. Their profession is expected to expand 29 percent by 2022.
Mental Health Counselor
(3.1 out of 5)
Not only is the patient list broad, but so is the scope of work for a mental health counselor. Duties range from diagnosing disorders to coordinating care with other health professionals. The BLS expects this position to grow 28.5 percent between 2012 and 2022.
Patrol Officer
(3.0 out of 5)
Even if they’re writing incident reports or filing records, patrol officers’ No. 1 goal is to keep their communities safe. The BLS projects nearly 6 percent employment growth for this job by 2022.
Recreation and Fitness Worker
(3.0 out of 5)
The duties for recreation and fitness workers vary; choose this profession, and you could lead a spinning class or run a summer camp, for example. But almost all of them have flexible schedules and find the job fulfilling. Employment should swell 13.5 percent by 2022.
Public Relations Specialist
(3.0 out of 5)
A public relations specialist’s main goal is to generate positive publicity and enhance the reputation of his or her client. Does this job appeal to you? Keep in mind that grade-A communications skills are a must, as is some knowledge of sales and marketing. The Labor Department predicts that our No. 1 creative job will have 27,400 new job openings before 2022.
School Counselor
(3.0 out of 5)
These professionals usually don’t take home papers to grade, but Gail M. Smith, a school counselor director in Georgia, says they “are taking home the kids in their hearts.” The BLS expects nearly 12 percent job growth for these compassionate school workers by 2022.
Computer Support Specialist
(3.0 out of 5)
Help Desk. Geek Squad. We’ve come up with simplistic terms for professionals whose job description is anything but basic. Computer support specialists maintain the software and hardware for a company’s IT professionals – and the company Luddites as well. And though it’s one of the lower-paying positions on our tech jobs list, it is one of the fastest growing. With an estimated 123,000 new computer support specialists by 2022, this occupation could swell by 17 percent.
Real Estate Agent
(3 out of 5)
Being a real estate agent involves listening to the desires of prospective homeowners, the anxiety of potential home sellers and being sensible about the fluctuations of the housing market. The BLS predicts this position will grow at a steady clip between 2012 and 2022 with 38,000 new jobs.
Plumber
(3.0 out of 5)
What would we do without plumbers? (And gracious, what would our homes smell like?) These highly trained and ultra-essential professionals install, inspect and repair the pipes and fixtures that carry water, steam, air and gas.
Clinical Laboratory Technician
(3.0 out of 5)
In many ways, clinical lab techs are the glue that holds hospitals together. They conduct many of the tests physicians use to diagnose patients and form a treatment plan. The BLS projects this field will balloon 29.7 percent by 2022.
Architect
(3.0 out of 5)
An artist’s work is usually displayed in a gallery. A writer’s words are typically confined to the pages of magazines and books. But an architect’s oeuvre – office buildings, libraries, restaurants, city parks and more – can be seen practically everywhere. The Labor Department predicts there will be 18,600 brand new openings for this job by 2022.
Surgical Technologist
(3.0 out of 5)
It’s the surgeon’s job to fix what’s wrong inside your body, but it’s the surgical technologist’s job to sterilize the tools the surgeon will use to do so. The BLS projects 29,300 new openings for this crucial job between 2012 and 2022.
Auto Mechanic
(3.0 out of 5)
Gearheads, rejoice: Tinkering with cars is a respectable – and profitable – profession. The BLS predicts 8.6 percent employment growth and 60,400 new jobs for auto mechanics by 2022, and that includes entry-level positions.
Compliance Officer
(2.9 out of 5)
Employment in the No. 84 job spans across many industries, but generally the duties are the same: These performance auditors ensure ethics are practiced, laws are followed and regulations are met. The BLS predicts there will be 11,000 new jobs in this field by 2022.
Exterminator
(2.9 out of 5)
We should all be thankful this is the No. 85 job on our list. It can only be a good thing there will be 12,800 new job openings for exterminators who are willing to remove roaches, rats, bedbugs (… the list goes on, disgustingly) from buildings by 2022.
Child and Family Social Worker
(2.9 out of 5)
Whether working with a neglected child or someone battling a years-long addiction, the day-in, day-out responsibilities of a child and family social worker can be an emotional grind. But knowing that your counsel profoundly improved someone’s quality of life is a reward that surpasses monetary compensation. This profession should grow by about 15 percent by 2022.
Art Director
(2.9 out of 5)
Art directors oversee the visual representations of a product or entity, whether it’s an advertisement campaign, magazine, television program, film, corporate website and much more. And it’s one of the more lucrative creative occupations we rank; the Labor Department reports a pay range of $44,500 to $169,450 for art directors in 2013.
Preschool Teacher
(2.8 out of 5)
You have to more than like children to pursue this career path. Compared to teachers in other grades, early childhood educators use more nurturing tactics and group-play to educate. New recruits should be energetic and creative and have abundant patience. There should be more than 76,000 new jobs for preschool teachers between 2012 and 2022, according to the BLS.
Interpreter and Translator
(2.8 out of 5)
While interpreters use hand gestures or spoken language to practice their craft, translators rely on the power of the pen. A rise in global interaction, military needs and innovative technology has the BLS predicting more than 46 percent employment growth in this profession by the year 2022.
Security Guard
(2.8 out of 5)
Security guards prevent fire hazards, larceny and vandalism. They assist during emergencies and safeguard against possibly dangerous situations. Intrigued? You’ll be pleased to know this profession should grow more than 12 percent in the next decade.
Paralegal
(2.8 out of 5)
Competition in this field will be strong, but abundant hiring is still expected, as firms attempt to lower expenses by using the service of more cost-effective paralegals as opposed to lawyers. The BLS predicts 46,200 new jobs for paralegals between 2012 and 2022.
Executive Assistant
(2.8 out of 5)
Think more Joan Harris than Miss Blankenship: Executive assistants might answer phones and schedule appointments, but more often they handle office-management tasks (and office executive temperaments) and prepare corporate reports.
Taxi Driver and Chauffeur
(2.8 out of 5)
If delivering packages doesn’t seem your speed (as a delivery truck driver), and shuttling numerous passengers around town (as a bus driver) seems too much, consider this job. Opportunity is abundant for taxi drivers and chauffeurs, who should see 15.5 percent employment growth from 2012 to 2022.
Paramedic
(2.8 out of 5)
It might surprise you to learn that paramedics and emergency medical techs don’t make much money – only about $31,270 in 2013, the BLS estimates – considering they witness gruesome scenes and interact with people experiencing considerable emotional and physical trauma. Still, this occupation makes our list due to its favorable growth prospects (23.1 percent by 2022) and low unemployment rate.
Customer Service Representative
(2.8 out of 5)
Working in customer service isn’t just about listening to people complain. There’s also a lot of problem-solving and people-pleasing involved. The best-paid reps work in the pipeline transportation of natural gas, aerospace products and railroad manufacturing industries, and their profession is expected to grow 12.6 percent by 2022.
Sheet Metal Worker
(2.7 out of 5)
Job opportunities in this field are best for sheet metal workers who complete a five-year formal apprenticeship. But don’t fret over the length of training: The Labor Department expects this occupation to grow steadily for quite some time. By 2022, there could be 22,000 new job openings.
Bill Collector
(2.7 out of 5)
The name might give you chills, but being a bill collector involves more than hounding debtors. Bill collectors also help negotiate a repayment plan and provide credit advice. The BLS projects 14.7 employment growth for this profession by 2022.
Office Clerk
(2.7 out of 5)
You could work as a clerk in a doctor’s office, a politician’s office or a principal’s office, but many of the required job skills are the same: excellent communication skills, a knack for organization and planning, plus plenty of patience and tact. The BLS predicts employment growth of 6.2 percent for this job between 2012 and 2022.
Teacher Assistant
(2.7 out of 5)
Teacher assistants provide additional guidance and instruction in the classroom, which could be good career experience for someone hoping to lead his or her own class someday. According to the BLS, this profession will grow by 8.6 percent this decade, in tandem with increased enrollment in public schools.
Receptionist
(2.7 out of 5)
Be nice to every receptionist you meet; he or she is the first point of contact for any organization and might have the ear and respect of the company’s head honcho. To get a job in this field, you’ll need good computer and customer service skills, plus a sense of discretion.