January 15th, 2014 by schoolbound
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics which releases projections every two years on the fastest growing jobs, the number of employed people in the US will have grown roughly 10% by 2016 compared to ten years ago. But what burgeoning industries are guarantees for future employment? There are some old stand-byes like healthcare and computer technology but there are also a few surprises as well.
Let’s start with the old go-to’s…
Healthcare:
Physician assistants: Average salary $74,980
Education and Training: A 2 year physician assistant program is required before you are eligible to take the national licensing exam.
Job Forecast: Physician assistants are being utilized to take on additional responsibilities in many facilities due to Doctor shortages and budget cuts.
Physical therapists: Average salary $68,050
Education and Training: Requires a master’s degree from an accredited physical therapy program as well as a state license.
Job Forecast: As life expectancy and better healthcare improve, the elderly as well as sports injuries will demand job growth in this area.
Business Graph with arrow showing profits and gains on a white reflective background
Marriage and family therapists: Average Salary $64,700
Education and Training: Master’s degree
Job Forecast: To avoid divorce this is an increasing option for those seeking help to save their marriages. There is also an increase in religious organizations for this type of work.
Mental health and substance abuse social workers: Average Salary $47,980
Education and Training: A master’s degree in Social Work or a like field
Job Forecast: There is an increase in assigning drug offenders, specifically juvenile offenders, to treatment programs instead of jail which increases the demand.
Pharmacy technicians: Average Salary $36,510
Education and Training: A basic certification can help but this job is mostly learned by on the job training. It is also helpful to have good customer service skills.
Job Forecast: As pharmacies cut costs and the demand for prescription medicines increases with the population growth there will be a growing need for Pharmacy Techs.
Physical therapist assistants: Average Salary $41,410
Education and Training: PTAs need to complete an accredited 2-year program, accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association as well as a state license.
Job Forecast: As the population grows and life expectancy increases, the demand for this work will as well especially with the elderly.
Social and human services assistants: Average Salary $27,200
Education and Training: Although a degree is not usually required to be an assistant in this field, experience and education is helpful.
Job Forecast: The elderly, homeless, disabled, pregnant and jobless are just a few who rely on these services.
Home health aides: Average Salary $20,100
Education and Training: Depending on the employer the requirements for this position vary. Most do not require any formal education and provide some classroom training as well as on the job.
Job Forecast: This type of position can vary from providing basic housekeeping services and errands, it can also be more medically inclined requiring some basic training. This career will continue to grow with the elderly population.
Medical assistants: Average Salary $26,290
Education and Training: A certification or associate’s degree is usually required as well as on the job training since every medical office is run differently.
Job Forecast: The medical industry is always growing and expanding requiring a growing staff.
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Computers Technology:
Computer software and systems software engineers: Average Salary $87,250
Education and Training: A bachelor’s degree, experience with a variety of software and systems as well as constant education and training in the changing tech and platforms.
Job Forecast: This occupation will always grow especially for companies. There is always a need for support for computer networking, new Internet applications, system safety, compliance, malware, virus protection, program installations and upgrading.
Database administrators: Average Salary $67,460
Education and Training: A bachelor’s degree in computer science is necessary, but a master’s in business administration, with a focus on information systems, is desirable.
Job Forecast: Businesses are starting to rely on technology and there are some that are solely internet based, creating a demand for professionals that can custom build and manage databases that store immense information on customers, inventory, and projects.
Computer systems analysts: Average Salary $72,230
Education and Training: A bachelor’s degree and experience
Job Forecast: New technologies bring new job growth
Network systems and data communications analyst: Average Salary $77,460
Education and Training: A bachelor’s degree and relevant work experience.
Job Forecast: There will always be a need to monitor efficiency and set up networks.
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Cosmetology/ Esthetician:
Manicurists and pedicurists: Average Salary $23,280
Education and Training: A state-license in cosmetology or possibly a separate license specifically for manicurists and pedicurists.
Job Forecast: These places are like rabbits and new ones pop up all the time on every corner
Skin care specialists: Average Salary $29,550
Education and Training: Vocational certificates and training are usually but not always required.
Job Forecast: Estheticians and the skin care industry are expected to grow in spas and medical facilities.
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Green Industries/Science:
Environmental science and protection technicians: Average Salary $40,260
Education and Training: A two-year associate’s or bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, or forensic science.
Job Forecast: As the Green industries start to gain traction there is a growing interest in environmental monitoring, regulatory compliance, and reporting, there will be a growing need to regulate waste, clean up contamination, survey and report, and collect samples to help monitor pollution levels.
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Dental:
Dental assistants: Average Salary $30,850
Education and Training: A certificate or diploma is now required as well as on the job training
Job Forecast: As healthcare in our country improves more people will start investing in routine preventative care, and there will be a need for more staffing to keep up with demand.
Dental hygienists: Average Salary $62,430
Education and Training: A state license and degree from dental hygiene school
Job Forecast: Dental hygienists will continue to take over more tasks that were previously performed by dentists to keep up with demand.
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Criminal Justice:
Forensic science technicians: Average Salary $48,150
Education and Training: A bachelor’s degree as well as hands-on experience in a lab and legal knowledge is helpful.
Job Forecast: State and county crime labs are starting to rely more on forensics to help solve crimes partly due to the popularity of TV programs and partly due to the reliability of this type of investigative work.
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Gaming:
Gaming surveillance officers and investigators: Average Salary $30,470
Education and Training: A security certificate program but mostly on the job training in a casino using surveillance equipment.
Job Forecast: As legal gambling begins to rise in many states like Massachusetts and Pennsylvania there will be a growing need for these types of jobs.
Gaming and sports book writers and runners: Average Salary $20,850
Education and Training: Mostly on-the-job training.
Job Forecast: As more states legalize gambling and casinos are being built there is a need for workers to assist with bingo, keno games and betting on sporting events.
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Finance:
Financial analysts: Average Salary $77,280
Education and Training: A bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Job Forecast: There is ALWAYS a need for advisors in this field as the financial industry changes and grows.
Personal financial advisers: Average Salary $66,120
Education and Training: At least a bachelor’s degree and keeping up with training as the industry changes.
Job Forecast: As baby boomers start to age and retire, and people start to recover from the recession there will be a need for this occupation.
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Pet care:
Veterinarians: Average Salary $81,490
Education and Training: A four-year post-grad program to receive a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and a state license
Job Forecast: It is estimated that 3 out of 5 households have some type of pet. There will always be a need for this profession and the growing need for more of a holistic approach for pet care as well.
Veterinary technologists and technicians: Average Salary $27,750
Education and Training: A 2-year associate’s degree from an accredited community college veterinary technician program, or a four-year bachelor’s degree.
Job Forecast: As I said above, it is estimated that 3 out of 5 households have some type of pet. There will always be a need for this profession and the growing need for more of a holistic approach for pet care as well.