Table Of ContentFrontmatter_.qxp 7/26/2004 2:37 PM Page i
A merica’s
101 FASTEST
GROWING JOBS
Detailed Information on Major Jobs with the
Most Openings and Growth
Eighth Edition
★ Thorough, up-to-date descriptions of the 101
fastest growing jobs
★ Information on skills needed, education and
training required, salaries, growth potential,
and much more
★ Special section providing proven career plan-
ning and job-seeking advice
★ Resume examples by professional resume
writers for a variety of fastest growing jobs
★ Helpful information on labor
market trends Part of
America’s
Top Jobs™
Series
Michael Farr
Frontmatter_.qxp 7/26/2004 2:37 PM Page ii
America’s 101 Fastest Growing Jobs, Eighth Edition
Detailed Information on Major Jobs with the Most Openings and Growth
Previous edition was titled America’s Fastest Growing Jobs
© 2005 by JIST Publishing, Inc.
Published by JIST Works, an imprint of JIST Publishing, Inc.
8902 Otis Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46216-1033
Phone: 800-648-JIST Fax: 800-JIST-FAX
E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.jist.com
Some other books by Michael Farr: Other books in the America’s Top JobsTM series:
The Very Quick Job Search America’s Top 300 Jobs
Same-Day Resume America’s Top 101 Computer and Technical Jobs
America’s Top Resumes for America’s Top Jobs America’s Top 101 Jobs for People Without a Four-Year Degree
The Quick Resume & Cover Letter Book America’s Top 101 Jobs for College Graduates
Getting the Job You Really Want America’s Top Military Careers
Seven Steps to Getting a Job Fast Career Guide to America’s Top Industries
Best Jobs for the 21st Century (with database
work by Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D.)
About career materials published by JIST.Our materials encourage people to be self-directed and to take control
of their destinies. We work hard to provide excellent content, solid advice, and techniques that get results. If you
have questions about this book or other JIST products, call 1-800-648-JIST or visit www.jist.com.
Quantity discounts are available for JIST products.Please call 1-800-648-JIST or visit www.jist.com for a free cat-
alog and more information.
Visit www.jist.comfor information on JIST, free job search information, book excerpts, and ordering information
on our many products. For free information on 14,000 job titles, visit www.careeroink.com.
Acquisitions Editor: Susan Pines
Editors: Stephanie Koutek, Annie Stalling
Cover and Interior Designer: Aleata Howard
Page Layout Coordinator: Carolyn J. Newland
Proofreaders: David Faust, Jeanne Clark
Printed in Canada
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data is on file with the Library of Congress.
06 05 04 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval
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right laws. For permission requests, please contact the Copyright Clearance Center at www.copyright.com or (978) 750-8400.
We have been careful to provide accurate information throughout this book, but it is possible that errors and omissions have
been introduced. Please consider this in making any career plans or other important decisions. Trust your own judgment
above all else and in all things.
Trademarks: All brand names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks, or registered
trademarks of their respective owners.
ISBN 1-59357-070-8
Frontmatter_.qxp 7/26/2004 2:37 PM Page iii
Relax—You
Don’t Have to
Read This
Whole Book!
T
his is a big book, but you
don’t need to read it all. I’ve
organized it into easy-to-use sec-
tions so you can browse just the
information you want. To get
started, simply scan the table of
contents, where you’ll find brief
explanations of the major sec-
tions plus a list of the jobs
described in this book. Really,
this book is easy to use, and I
hope it helps you.
iii
Frontmatter_.qxp 7/26/2004 2:37 PM Page iv
America’s 101 Fastest Growing Jobs
Who Should Use This Source of Information
Book?
The occupational descriptions in this book
come from the good people at the U.S.
This is more than a book of job descriptions.
Department of Labor, as published in the
I’ve spent quite a bit of time thinking about
most recent edition of the Occupational
how to make its contents useful for a variety
Outlook Handbook. The OOH is the best source
of situations, including
of career information available, and the
descriptions include the latest data on earn-
★ Exploring career options. The job
ings, growth, education required, and many
descriptions in Section One give a wealth
other details. So, thank you to all the people
of information on many of the most desir-
at the Labor Department who gather, com-
able jobs in the labor market.
pile, analyze, and make sense of this infor-
★ Considering more education or training. mation. It’s good stuff, and I hope you can
The information helps you avoid costly make good use of it.
mistakes in choosing a career or deciding
on additional training or education—and
it increases your chances of planning a
bright future.
Mike Farr
★ Job seeking. This book helps you identify
new job targets, prepare for interviews, and
write targeted resumes. The career plan-
ning and job search advice in Section Two
has been proven to cut job search time in
half!
★ Career planning. The job descriptions
help you explore your options, and
Sections Two and Three provide career
planning advice and other useful informa-
tion.
iv © 2005 ● JIST Works
Frontmatter_.qxp 7/26/2004 2:37 PM Page v
Table of Contents
Summary of Major Sections
The 101 Jobs Described
Introduction. The introduction explains what
is included in each job description, gives tips on
in Section One
using the book for career exploration and job
seeking, and provides other details. The introduc-
tion begins on page 1. The titles for the 101 jobs described in Section One are
listed below, in alphabetical order. The page number
Section One: Descriptions of 101 Fastest
where each description begins is also listed. Simply
Growing Jobs. This section presents thorough
find jobs that interest you and then read those
descriptions of 101 of the fastest growing jobs in
descriptions. An introduction to Section One begins
the United States. Education and training
on page 33 and provides additional information on
requirements for these jobs vary from on-the-
how to interpret the descriptions.
job training to a four-year college degree or
more. Each description gives information on Accountants and Auditors ........................................35
nature of the work, working conditions,
Administrative Services Managers..............................40
employment, training, other qualifications,
Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public
advancement, job outlook, earnings, related
Relations, and Sales Managers ..............................42
occupations, and sources of additional informa-
tion. The jobs are presented in alphabetical Animal Care and Service Workers..............................45
order. The page numbers where specific descrip- Athletes, Coaches, Umpires, and Related Workers ....48
tions begin are listed here in the table of con-
Barbers, Cosmetologists, and Other Personal
tents. Section One begins on page 33.
Appearance Workers ..............................................52
Section Two: The Quick Job Search—Seven Bill and Account Collectors........................................54
Steps to Getting a Good Job in Less Time.
Building Cleaning Workers ........................................56
This brief but important section offers results-
Bus Drivers ................................................................59
oriented career planning and job search tech-
niques. It includes tips on identifying your key Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians............62
skills, defining your ideal job, using effective job Cashiers ....................................................................65
search methods, writing resumes, organizing
Cement Masons, Concrete Finishers,
your time, improving your interviewing skills,
Segmental Pavers, and Terrazzo Workers................67
and following up on leads. The second part of
Chefs, Cooks, and Food Preparation Workers............69
this section features professionally written and
designed resumes for some of America’s fastest Childcare Workers......................................................74
growing jobs. Section Two begins on page 319. Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians ....77
Section Three: Important Trends in Jobs and Computer and Information Systems Managers..........79
Industries. This section includes two well- Computer Programmers............................................82
written articles and two charts on labor market
Computer Software Engineers ..................................86
trends. The articles and charts are short and
Computer Support Specialists and Systems
worth your time. Section Three begins on page 373.
Administrators........................................................89
Titles of the articles in Section Three are
Computer Systems Analysts, Database
“Tomorrow’s Jobs” and “Employment Trends in
Administrators, and Computer Scientists................92
Major Industries.” Titles of the charts are “High-
Construction Laborers................................................97
Paying Occupations with Many Openings,
Projected 2002–12” and “Large Metropolitan Correctional Officers..................................................99
Areas That Had the Fastest Employment Cost Estimators........................................................102
Growth, 1998–2003.”
Counselors ..............................................................105
Counter and Rental Clerks ......................................109
v
Frontmatter_.qxp 7/26/2004 2:37 PM Page vi
America’s 101 Fastest Growing Jobs
Customer Service Representatives............................111 Occupational Therapists ..........................................211
Dental Assistants......................................................114 Office Clerks, General..............................................213
Dental Hygienists ....................................................116 Paralegals and Legal Assistants................................215
Designers ................................................................118 Personal and Home Care Aides................................218
Drywall Installers, Ceiling Tile Installers, Pharmacists..............................................................220
and Tapers............................................................122
Pharmacy Technicians..............................................223
Education Administrators........................................124
Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides ..................225
Electricians ..............................................................128
Physical Therapists ..................................................226
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics ....131
Physician Assistants ................................................228
Environmental Engineers ........................................134
Physicians and Surgeons..........................................230
Financial Analysts and Personal Financial
Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and
Advisors................................................................136
Steamfitters..........................................................234
Financial Managers..................................................139
Police and Detectives ..............................................237
Firefighting Occupations..........................................142
Psychologists............................................................241
Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers....145
Public Relations Specialists ......................................245
Gaming Services Occupations..................................149
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians................247
Grounds Maintenance Workers................................151
Receptionists and Information Clerks......................249
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers....................154
Recreation and Fitness Workers ..............................251
Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration
Registered Nurses....................................................254
Mechanics and Installers ......................................157
Respiratory Therapists..............................................257
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks ......................161
Retail Salespersons ..................................................259
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and
Roofers....................................................................262
Timekeeping ........................................................163
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and
Human Resources, Training, and Labor Relations
Manufacturing......................................................263
Managers and Specialists......................................164
Security Guards and Gaming Surveillance
Information and Record Clerks................................169
Officers ................................................................266
Instructional Coordinators ......................................173
Sheet Metal Workers................................................269
Lawyers....................................................................175
Social and Human Service Assistants ......................272
Library Assistants, Clerical........................................179
Social Workers ........................................................274
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational
Speech-Language Pathologists................................277
Nurses ..................................................................181
Surgical Technologists..............................................279
Loan Counselors and Officers..................................182
Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs......................................281
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General..............185
Teacher Assistants....................................................284
Management Analysts ............................................187
Teachers—Adult Literacy and Remedial and Self-
Market and Survey Researchers ..............................190
Enrichment Education..........................................286
Material Moving Occupations..................................192
Teachers—Postsecondary ........................................289
Medical and Health Services Managers....................195
Teachers—Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary,
Medical Assistants ..................................................198
Middle, and Secondary ........................................294
Medical Records and Health Information
Teachers—Special Education....................................298
Technicians............................................................200
Top Executives..........................................................301
Medical Scientists....................................................202
Truck Drivers and Driver/Sales Workers....................306
Medical Transcriptionists..........................................205
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians ................310
Nursing, Psychiatric, and Home Health Aides..........207
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Workers................312
Occupational Therapist Assistants and Aides ..........210
Writers and Editors..................................................315
vi © 2004 ● JIST Works
introductionnew.qxp 7/26/2004 2:35 PM Page 1
Introduction
This book is about improving your life, not just about selecting a job.
The career you choose will have an enormous impact on how you live
your life.
A huge amount of information is available on occupations, but most peo-
ple don’t know where to find accurate, reliable facts to help them make
good career decisions—or they don’t take the time to look. Important
choices such as what to do with your career or whether to get additional
training or education deserve your time.
If you are considering more training or education—whether technical or
job-related training, additional coursework, a college degree, or an
advanced degree—this book will help with solid information. The educa-
tion and training needed for the jobs described in this book vary enor-
mously. You will notice that many of the better-paying jobs may require
more training or education than you now have. Some require brief train-
ing or on-the-job experience. Many better-paying jobs, however, call for
technical training lasting from a few months to a few years. Others require
a four-year college degree or more. But some jobs, such as some sales and
management jobs, have high pay but do not always require advanced
education. This book is designed to give you facts to help you explore
your options.
A certain type of work or workplace may interest you as much as a certain
type of job. If your interests and values lead you to work in healthcare, for
example, you can do so in a variety of work environments, in a variety of
industries, and in a variety of jobs. For this reason, I suggest that you
begin exploring alternatives by following your interests and finding a
career path that allows you to use your talents doing something you
enjoy.
Also, remember that money is not everything. The time you spend in
career planning can pay off in higher earnings, but being satisfied with
your work—and your life—is often more important than the amount you
earn. This book can help you find the work that suits you best.
1
introductionnew.qxp 7/26/2004 2:35 PM Page 2
America’s 101 Fastest Growing Jobs
Table 4: 271 Jobs Listed in Order of Combined Scores for Per-
cent Growth and Number of Job Openings
The Fastest Growing Jobs
Note: Two job titles, Clergy and Jobs in the Armed Forces,
did not have projected growth data available and were there-
Lists fore excluded from the lists used in this book. Finally, the
data for the Engineer job title is presented in the more-
specialized engineering-related job titles such as Environ-
I think it’s important for you to understand how I developed mental Engineers.
the list of fastest growing jobs used in this book. I started
with the most recent projections available from the U.S. Table 1: The 101 Fastest Growing Jobs
Department of Labor. I used data provided for 271 major jobs
that cover about 90 percent of the workforce. The most These are the 101 jobs with the most favorable combined
recent data from the Department of Labor provides projec- scores for projected percent increase and number of job
tions for growth of these jobs through 2012. I started by sort- openings through 2012. Each of these jobs is described in
ing all 271 of those jobs based on their percent of projected Section One of this book. As you can see, the list includes a
growth, from highest to lowest. I then sorted the 271 jobs wide variety of jobs at all levels of education, training, and
based on the projected number of new job openings, also interest.
from highest to lowest. From these two lists I created a third
list based on the relative position of each job on the first two Notice that three of the top 10 fastest growing jobs are com-
lists. I did this by adding the score for each job’s position on puter related and four are in the medical area—two rapidly
the lists of percentage growth and number of new openings. growing fields that are discussed in Section Three. Another
For example, a job with a high percentage of growth and a thing to notice is that most of the fastest growing jobs
high number of new job openings would be listed towards require training or education beyond high school. While job
the top of the third list. This third list provides the basis for opportunities at all levels of education and training are listed
the jobs I included in this book. The 101 jobs with the most in this table, many better-paying jobs require post-secondary
favorable combined scores are presented in Table 1, which education or training. If you want more information on
follows. important labor market trends, consider reading the excel-
lent and brief review of labor market trends in Section Three.
At the end of this introduction are several other lists you
may find of interest: Note that you can find a complete description for each job
listed below in Section One, in alphabetical order. You will
Table 2: 271 Jobs Listed in Order of Percent Growth also find these jobs in the table of contents along with the
page number where each job description begins.
Table 3: 271 Jobs Listed in Order of Number of Job Openings
Table 1: The 101 Fastest Growing Jobs
Percent Numerical Percent Numerical
Growth Growth Growth Growth
1. Teachers—Postsecondary 38 602,700 11. Receptionists and Information
2. Computer Systems Analysts, Clerks 29 324,600
Database Administrators, 12. Dental Assistants 42 113,000
and Computer Scientists 42 16,000 13. Management Analysts 30 175,700
3. Computer Software Engineers 45 307,200 14. Recreation and Fitness Workers 30 143,100
4. Medical Assistants 59 214,800 15. Customer Service
5. Social and Human Service Representatives 24 459,700
Assistants 49 214,800 16. Computer and Information
6. Nursing, Psychiatric, and Home Systems Managers 36 102,600
Health Aides 31 630,400 17. Teachers—Special Education 30 129,800
7. Personal and Home Health Care 18. Medical Records and Health
Aides 40 245,900 Information Technicians 47 68,700
8. Security Guards and Gaming 19. Advertising, Marketing,
Surveillance Officers 32 319,300 Promotions, Public Relations,
9. Registered Nurses 27 623,200 and Sales Managers 26 185,300
10. Computer Support Specialists and 20. Teachers—Adult Literacy and
Systems Administrators 33 247,300 Remedial and Self-Enrichment
Education 34 96,700
2 © 2005 ● JIST Works
introductionnew.qxp 7/26/2004 2:35 PM Page 3
Introduction
Percent Numerical Percent Numerical
Growth Growth Growth Growth
21. Dental Hygienists 43 63,700 56. Retail Salespersons 15 595,900
22. Teacher Assistants 23 294,100 57. Building Cleaning Workers 15 587,700
23. Human Resources, Training, and 58. Veterinary Technologists and
Labor Relations Managers and Technicians 44 23,200
Specialists 25 170,800 59. Financial Managers 18 109,500
24. Social Workers 27 127,100 60. Firefighting Occupations 20 71,800
25. Heating, Air-Conditioning, and
61. Administrative Services Managers 20 63,500
Refrigeration Mechanics and
62. Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk
Installers 32 79,100
Clerks 24 42,500
26. Counter and Rental Clerks 26 114,400
63. Market and Survey Researchers 25 38,300
27. Grounds Maintenance Workers 22 282,500
64. Maintenance and Repair Workers,
28. Police and Detectives 23 192,700
General 16 206,800
29. Pharmacists 30 69,200
65. Lawyers 17 117,900
30. Medical and Health Services
66. Radiologic Technologists and
Managers 29 71,300
Technicians 23 40,000
31. Emergency Medical Technicians
67. Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters,
and Paramedics 33 59,300
and Steamfitters 18 98,800
32. Physical Therapists 35 48,300
68. Psychologists 24 33,800
33. Public Relations Specialists 33 52,100
69. Environmental Engineers 38 18,000
34. Physical Therapist Assistants and
70. Clinical Laboratory Technologists
Aides 45 39,500
and Technicians 19 57,600
35. Electricians 23 154,500
71. Gaming Services Occupations 21 40,400
36. Counselors 23 118,900
72. Speech-Language Pathologists 27 25,600
37. Top Executives 18 469,300
73. Hazardous Materials Removal
38. Sales Representatives, Wholesale Workers 43 16,200
and Manufacturing 19 356,300
74. Cashiers 13 462,100
39. Pharmacy Technicians 29 60,700
75. Designers 17 92,700
40. Education Administrators 24 100,800
76. Loan Counselors and Officers 19 47,600
41. Paralegals and Legal Assistants 29 57,300
77. Sheet Metal Workers 20 40,600
42. Financial Analysts and Personal
78. Drywall Installers, Ceiling Tile
Financial Advisors 25 75,800
Installers, and Tapers 21 37,500
43. Accountants and Auditors 19 205,500
79. Instructional Coordinators 25 25,000
44. Food and Beverage Serving and
80. Surgical Technologists 28 20,200
Related Workers 17 1,133,000
81. Bus Drivers 16 106,300
45. Information and Record Clerks 18 913,900
82. Chefs, Cooks, and Food
46. Teachers—Preschool, Kindergarten,
Preparation Workers 12 366,700
Elementary, Middle, and Secondary 18 665,600
83. Barbers, Cosmetologists, and
47. Truck Drivers and Driver/Sales
Other Personal Appearance
Workers 18 592,200
Workers 15 111,100
48. Bill and Account Collectors 24 101,000
84. Animal Care and Service Workers 21 31,500
49. Correctional Officers 23 111,100
85. Cardiovascular Technologists
50. Licensed Practical and Licensed and Technicians 34 14,600
Vocational Nurses 20 141,800
86. Construction Laborers 14 132,700
51. Respiratory Therapists 35 38,900
87. Cost Estimators 19 35,000
52. Physician Assistants 49 30,800
88. Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs 22 28,700
53. Cement Masons, Concrete
89. Occupational Therapist
Finishers, Segmental Pavers, and
Assistants and Aides 40 10,800
Terrazzo Workers 26 48,700
90. Computer Programmers 15 72,700
54. Physicians and Surgeons 19 113,500
91. Medical Scientists 27 16,800
55. Occupational Therapists 35 28,700
92. Library Assistants, Clerical 21 25,900
(continued)
© 2005 ● JIST Works 3
