30. Respiratory therapy technicians
Median annual wage (2012): $46,760
Projected job openings (through 2022): 3,600
Work experience: None
Description: Provide respiratory care under the direction of respiratory therapists and physicians.
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
29. Morticians, undertakers, and funeral directors
Median annual wage (2012): $46,840
Projected job openings (through 2022): 7,900
Work experience: None
Description: Arrange and direct funeral services by coordinating transportation of body to mortuary, interviewing family or other authorized person to arrange details, selecting pallbearers, aiding with the selection of officials for religious rites, and providing transportation for mourners.
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
28. Paralegals and legal assistants
Median annual wage (2012): $46,990
Projected job openings (through 2022): 91,200
Work experience: None
Description: Help lawyers prepare for hearings, trials, and corporate meetings by, among other things, maintaining and organizing files, conducting legal research, and drafting documents.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
27. Civil engineering technicians
Median annual wage (2012): $47,560
Projected job openings (through 2022): 15,600
Work experience: None
Description: Help civil engineers plan and design the construction of highways, bridges, utilities, and other major infrastructure projects.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
26. Architectural and civil drafters
Median annual wage (2012): $47,870
Projected job openings (through 2022): 12,400
Work experience: None
Description: Draw architectural and structural features of buildings or topographical relief maps used in civil engineering projects like highways, bridges, and public works.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
25. Mechanical drafters
Median annual wage (2012): $50,360
Projected job openings (through 2022): 8,900
Work experience: None
Description: Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
24. Industrial engineering technicians
Median annual wage (2012): $50,980
Projected job openings (through 2022): 14,100
Work experience: None
Description: Help industrial engineers implement designs to use personnel, materials, and machines in factories, stores, healthcare organizations, repair shops, and offices.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
23. Electro-mechanical technicians
Median annual wage (2012): $51,820
Projected job openings (through 2022): 4,300
Work experience: None
Description: Install, troubleshoot, repair, and upgrade electronic and computer-controlled mechanical systems, like robotic assembly machines.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
22. Mechanical engineering technicians
Median annual wage (2012): $51,980
Projected job openings (through 2022): 12,100
Work experience: None
Description: Design, develop, test, and manufacture industrial machinery, consumer products, and other equipment.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
21. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians
Median annual wage (2012): $52,070
Projected job openings (through 2022): 23,000
Work experience: None
Description: Use imaging technology to help physicians diagnose cardiac (heart) and peripheral vascular (blood vessel) ailments in patients.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
20. Physical therapist assistants
Median annual wage (2012): $52,160
Projected job openings (through 2022): 45,100
Work experience: None
Description: Help patients who are recovering from injuries, illnesses, and surgeries regain movement and manage pain.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
19. Geological and petroleum technicians
Median annual wage (2012): $52,700
Projected job openings (through 2022): 8,100
Work experience: None
Description: Provide support to scientists and engineers in exploring and extracting natural resources, like minerals, oil, and natural gas.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
18. Occupational therapy assistants
Median annual wage (2012): $53,240
Projected job openings (through 2022): 20,500
Work experience: None
Description: Aides work under the direction of occupational therapists in treating patients with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
17. Radiologic technologists
Median annual wage (2012): $54,620
Projected job openings (through 2022): 69,600
Work experience: None
Description: Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging examinations, like X-rays, on patients.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
16. Avionics technicians
Median annual wage (2012): $55,350
Projected job openings (through 2022): 4,000
Work experience: None
Description: Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, like radar, radio, navigation, and missile-control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
15. Electrical and electronics drafters
Median annual wage (2012): $55,700
Projected job openings (through 2022): 6,800
Work experience: None
Description: Prepare wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
14. Respiratory therapists
Median annual wage (2012): $55,870
Projected job openings (through 2022): 40,100
Work experience: None
Description: Care for patients who have trouble breathing (i.e. premature infants with undeveloped lungs; elderly patients who have diseased lungs). They also provide emergency care to patients suffering from heart attacks, drowning, or shock.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
13. Electrical and electronics engineering technicians
Median annual wage (2012): $57,850
Projected job openings (through 2022): 30,400
Work experience: None
Description: Help engineers design and develop computers, communications equipment, medical monitoring devices, navigational equipment, and other electrical and electronic equipment.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
12. Computer network support specialists
Median annual wage (2012): $59,090
Projected job openings (through 2022): 39,600
Work experience: None
Description: Analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, like local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and internet systems, or a segment of a network system.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
11. Aerospace engineering and operations technicians
Median annual wage (2012): $61,530
Projected job openings (through 2022): 2,100
Work experience: None
Description: Aerospace engineering and operations technicians operate and maintain equipment used in developing, testing, and producing new aircraft and spacecraft.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
10. Web developer
Median annual wage (2012): $62,500
Projected job openings (through 2022): 50,700
Work experience: None
Description: Design, create, and modify websites.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
9. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists
Median annual wage (2012): $65,360
Projected job openings (through 2022): 11,300
Work experience: Less than five years
Description: Monitor patient safety and comfort and view images of area being scanned to ensure quality of pictures.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
8. Registered nurse
Median annual wage (2012): $65,470
Projected job openings (through 2022): 1,052,600
Work experience: None
Description: Provide and coordinate patient care; educate patients and the public about various health conditions.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
7. Diagnostic medical sonographers
Median annual wage (2012): $65,860
Projected job openings (through 2022): 35,300
Work experience: None
Description: Use special imaging equipment that directs sound waves into a patient’s body to assess and diagnose various medical conditions.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
6. Funeral service managers
Median annual wage (2012): $66,720
Projected job openings (through 2022): 3,200
Work experience: Less than five years
Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate funeral homes by determining the prices for services or merchandise and managing the facilities.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
5. Nuclear technicians
Median annual wage (2012): $69,069
Projected job openings (through 2022): 4,100
Work experience: None
Description: Nuclear technicians assist physicists, engineers, and other professionals in nuclear research and nuclear production.
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
4. Nuclear medicine technologists
Median annual wage (2012): $70,180
Projected job openings (through 2022): 7,200
Work experience: None
Description: Use a scanner to create images of various areas of a patient’s body. They prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients undergoing the scans.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
3. Dental hygienists
Median annual wage (2012): $70,210
Projected job openings (through 2022): 113,500
Work experience: None
Description: Clean teeth, examine patients for oral diseases like gingivitis, and provide other preventative dental care.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
2. Radiation therapists
Median annual wage (2012): $77,560
Projected job openings (through 2022): 8,400
Work experience: None
Description: Check equipment, observe patients reactions to treatment, and document the session.
On-the-job training: None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
1. Air traffic controller
Median annual wage (2012): $122,530
Projected job openings (through 2022): 11,400
Work experience: None
Description: Monitor and direct the movement of aircraft. Median annual wages of air traffic controllers are the highest of any occupation in which workers typically do not need a bachelor's degree.
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics