The skills and knowledge you need to succeed in the fastest-growing jobs in America

Occupation description according to O*NET: Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decision making, policy formulation, or other managerial functions.

Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 25.6%

Average annual salary: $83,390

Top knowledge areas: Mathematics, English language, computers and electronics

Top skills: Mathematics, complex problem solving, and critical thinking

Occupation description according to O*NET: Conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields.

Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 26.0%

Average annual salary: $101,900

Top knowledge areas: Mathematics, computers and electronics, and English language

Top skills: Mathematics, complex problem solving, critical thinking and reading comprehension

Occupation description according to O*NET: Assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects.

Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 27.0%

Average annual salary: $80,370

Top knowledge areas: Biology, psychology, and medicine and dentistry

Top skills: Reading comprehension, active listening, and complex problem solving

Occupation description according to O*NET: Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures.

Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 27.1%

Average annual salary: $58,040

Top knowledge areas: Customer and personal service, English language, and medicine and dentistry

Top skills: Active listening, monitoring, social perceptiveness, and speaking

Occupation description according to O*NET: Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders.

Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 27.3%

Average annual salary: $77,510

Top knowledge areas: English language, psychology, customer and personal service, and education and training

Top skills: Active listening, critical thinking, learning strategies, reading comprehension, social perceptiveness, and speaking

Occupation description according to O*NET: Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team.

Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 28.2%

Average annual salary: $107,030

Top knowledge areas: Medicine and dentistry, psychology, customer and personal service, English language, and therapy and counseling

Top skills: Active learning, active listening, critical thinking, reading comprehension, and social perceptiveness

Occupation description according to O*NET: Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information.

Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 30.7%

Average annual salary: $87,780

Top knowledge areas: Mathematics, English language, and computers and electronics

Top skills: Mathematics, critical thinking, and reading comprehension

Occupation description according to O*NET: Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician.

Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 31.1%

Average annual salary: $108,610

Top knowledge areas: Medicine and dentistry, biology, psychology

Top skills: Active listening, critical thinking, reading comprehension, and speaking

Occupation description according to O*NET: Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information.

Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 31.6%

Average annual salary: $98,350

Top knowledge areas: Computers and electronics, English language, administration and management

Top skills: Reading comprehension, critical thinking, active listening, and complex problem solving

Occupation description according to O*NET: Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures.

Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 33.1%

Average annual salary: $60,220

Top knowledge areas: Customer and personal service, English language, and psychology

Top skills: Active listening, speaking, reading comprehension, social perceptiveness, time management, and writing

Occupation description according to O*NET: Assist the elderly, convalescents, or persons with disabilities with daily living activities at the person's home or in a care facility.

Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 36.4%

Average annual salary: $24,020

Top knowledge areas: Customer and personal service, English language, psychology

Top skills: Service orientation, social perceptiveness, active listening

Occupation description according to O*NET: Provide routine individualized healthcare such as changing bandages and dressing wounds, and applying topical medications to the elderly, convalescents, or persons with disabilities at the patient's home or in a care facility.

Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 36.6%

Average annual salary: $24,200

Top knowledge areas: Customer and personal service, English language, psychology, and public safety and security

Top skills: Active listening, service orientation, social perceptiveness

Occupation description according to O*NET: Inspect, diagnose, adjust, or repair wind turbines. Perform maintenance on wind turbine equipment including resolving electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic malfunctions.

Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 56.9%

Average annual salary: $54,370

Top knowledge areas: Mechanical, computers and electronics, engineering and technology

Top skills: Repairing, troubleshooting, equipment maintenance

Occupation description according to O*NET: Assemble, install, or maintain solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on roofs or other structures in compliance with site assessment and schematics.

Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 63.3%

Average annual salary: $42,680

Top knowledge areas: Mechanical, building and construction, English language

Top skills: Installation, active listening, critical thinking