The 21 best jobs of the future
21. Elementary school teachers, except special education
20. Nurse practitioners
Projected new positions by 2024: 44,700
Median annual earnings in 2014: $95,350
What they do: Treat and diagnose patients' illnesses
Typical educational requirements: Master's degree
19. Financial Managers
Projected new positions by 2024: 37,700
Median annual earnings in 2014: $115,320
What they do: Direct financial activities at organizations
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
18. Electricians
Projected new positions by 2024: 85,900
Median annual earnings in 2014: $51,110
What they do: Install, maintain, and repair electrical equipment
Typical educational requirements: High school diploma
17. Licensed practical and vocational nurses
Projected new positions by 2024: 117,300
Median annual earnings in 2014: $42,490
What they do: Care for patients in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and similar institutions
Typical educational requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
16. Lawyers
Projected new positions by 2024: 43,800
Median annual earnings in 2014: $114,970
What they do: Represent clients in legal situations
Typical educational requirements: Professional degree
15: Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives
Projected new positions by 2024: 93,400
Median annual earnings in 2014: $55,020
What they do: Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers
Typical educational requirements: High school diploma
14. Medical and health services managers
Projected new positions by 2024: 56,300
Median annual earnings in 2014: $92,810
What they do: Plan, direct, or coordinate health services
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
13. Software systems developers
Projected new positions by 2024: 51,300
Median annual earnings in 2014: $102,880
What they do: Develop operating systems, compilers, and network software
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
12. Market research analysts and marketing specialists
Projected new positions by 2024: 92,300
Median annual earnings in 2014: $61,290
What they do: Research market conditions and create marketing campaigns
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
11. Physical therapists
Projected new positions by 2024: 71,800
Median annual earnings in 2014: $82,390
What they do: Help patients recover from illnesses and injuries
Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
10. Personal financial advisors
Projected new positions by 2024: 73,900
Median annual earnings in 2014: $81,060
What they do: Advise clients on their finances
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
9. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
Projected new positions by 2024: 121,200
Median annual earnings in 2014: $50,780
What they do: Supervise and coordinate the activities of clerical and administrative support workers
Typical educational requirements: High school diploma
8. Computer and information systems managers
Projected new positions by 2024: 53,700
Median annual earnings in 2014: $127,640
What they do: Plan, direct, and coordinate computer systems
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
7. Management analysts
Projected new positions by 2024: 103,400
Median annual earnings in 2014: $80,880
What they do: Conduct research and develop procedures to allow organizations to run more efficiently
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
6. Accountants and auditors
Projected new positions by 2024: 142,400
Median annual earnings in 2014: $65,940
What they do: Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
5. Physicians and surgeons, all other
Projected new positions by 2024: 51,700
Median annual earnings in 2014: At least $187,200*
What they do: Treat patients in a variety of specialized fields
Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
*Bureau of Labor Statistics median annual earnings estimates for 2014 are capped at $187,200, and earnings for this occupational group fell at or above that cap.
4. Computer systems analysts
Projected new positions by 2024: 118,600
Median annual earnings in 2014: $82,710
What they do: Analyze data processing problems to develop and improve computer systems
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
3. Software applications developers
Projected new positions by 2024: 135,300
Median annual earnings in 2014: $95,510
What they do: Develop front-end user oriented computer applications and programs
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
2. General and operations managers
Projected new positions by 2024: 151,100
Median annual earnings in 2014: $97,270
What they do: Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of organizations
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
1. Registered nurses
Projected new positions by 2024: 439,300
Median annual earnings in 2014: $66,640
What they do: Assess patient health needs and care for patients
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
Popular Right Now
Advertisement