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Based on the Latest Edition of the
800–648–JIST www.jist.com $$1199..9955 HHiigghheerr iinn CCaannaaddaa
Occupational Outlook Handbook by the U.S. Department of Labor
00FM.qxp 4/22/2008 9:02 AM Page i
330000
Top
C A R E E R S
Your Complete Guidebook to Major Jobs in
Every Field
ELEVENTH EDITION
Based on the Latest Edition of the Occupational Outlook
Handbook by the U.S. Department of Labor
00FM.qxp 4/22/2008 9:02 AM Page ii
Top 300 Careers, Eleventh Edition
Your Complete Guidebook to Major Jobs in Every Field
© 2008 by JISTPublishing
Published by JISTWorks, an imprint of JISTPublishing
7321 Shadeland Station, Suite 200
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Phone: 800-648-JIST Fax: 877-454-7839
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JIST’s Top CareersTMSeries: Some books by Michael Farr:
Best Jobs for the 21st Century
Top 300 Careers
Overnight Career Choice
Top 100 Health-Care Careers
Next-Day Job Interview
100 Fastest-Growing Jobs
Same-Day Resume
Top 100 Careers Without a Four-Year Degree
The Quick Resume & Cover Letter Book
Top 100 Careers for College Graduates
Top 100 Computer and Technical Careers
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ISBN 978-1-59357-538-0
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Relax. You Don’t Have to
Read This Whole Book.
In this single volume, you will find everything you need to
❇ Learn about all major jobs, including their tasks, pay, outlook, and required education and skills.
❇ Match your personal skills to the jobs.
❇ Take seven steps to land a good job in less time.
Approximately 90 percent of all U.S. workers are employed in the jobs described in Top 300 Careers. The job
descriptions offer a wealth of high-quality information from a respected source. An easy-to-use assessment helps
you make a good career choice. The “Quick Job Search”section gives results-oriented advice by Mike Farr, Amer-
ica’s best-selling career author.
You don’t need to read the entire book. Just scan the table of contents to find the sections and the jobs that interest
you most and fit your needs.
Who Should Use This Book?
Top 300 Careersis useful for a variety of people and situations.
Students, job seekers, careerchangers, and careerexplorers:
1. Explore and plan your career.Review the table of contents to identify jobs that interest you. Then read
their descriptions to select occupations for further consideration. The career assessment helps you focus
your career options.
2. Consider more education or training.The information helps you avoid costly mistakes in choosing a
career and deciding on additional training or education.
3. Find a job.Identify job targets, write targeted resumes, and prepare for interviews by knowing skills
required, average pay, and other details about a job.
Employers: Obtain accurate information to write job descriptions, establish salary ranges, and know what to look
for when interviewing candidates.
Counselors, instructors, educators, librarians, and careerspecialists: Find up-to-date, reliable career informa-
tion to assist others.
Source of Information
The job descriptions are based on the latest edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the good people at
the U.S. Department of Labor. The Occupational Outlook Handbook is updated every two years to provide the most
current, accurate information on major jobs. Thank you to all the people at the Department of Labor. It is safe to say
that the occupational information in this book is the most respected and widely used anywhere.
iii
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Contents
Detailed Contents
Summary of Major Sections
Introduction: Provides an explanation of the Introduction ..............................................viii
job descriptions, how best to use the book, and Tomorrow’s Jobs............................................xv
other details. Begins on page viii.
Using the Job-Match Grid to
Tomorrow’s Jobs: Reviews major trends that Choose a Career ..........................................1
may affect your career. Begins on page xv.
The Job Descriptions ....................................25
Using the Job-Match Grid to Choose a
Career: Match your skills and preferences to
Management and Business and
the jobs in this book. Begins on page 1. Financial Operations Occupations
The Job Descriptions: Gives thorough
Management Occupations........................................................................26
descriptions of the most important jobs in the Administrative Services Managers..............................................................26
labor force. Use this table of contents to look Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations, and
Sales Managers......................................................................................28
up jobs within clusters, or use the jobs index at
Computer and Information Systems Managers..........................................31
the back of the book. The descriptions are well Construction Managers................................................................................34
Education Administrators............................................................................36
written and packed with information, includ-
Engineering and Natural Sciences Managers..............................................40
ing an overview of the job, outlook, earnings, Farmers, Ranchers, and Agricultural Managers..........................................43
education needed, working conditions, and Financial Managers ....................................................................................46
Food Service Managers..............................................................................49
additional information sources. Begins on
Funeral Directors........................................................................................52
page 25. Human Resources, Training, and Labor Relations Managers and
Specialists ..............................................................................................54
Occupational Information Network Cover- Industrial Production Managers..................................................................59
age: Features a table that lists Occupational Lodging Managers......................................................................................61
Medical and Health Services Managers......................................................64
Information Network (O*NET) codes and cor-
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers..................66
responding job titles. Includes page numbers Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents..............................69
Top Executives............................................................................................73
that cross-reference the job descriptions in this
book. Begins on page 750. Business and Financial Operations Occupations ..................................76
Accountants and Auditors ..........................................................................76
Quick Job Search: This book-within-a-book Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate....................................................80
Budget Analysts..........................................................................................84
provides results-oriented career planning and
Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners, and Investigators ....................86
job-seeking skills. It was written by Mike Farr, Cost Estimators............................................................................................90
America’s best-selling career author. Begins Financial Analysts and Personal Financial Advisors..................................93
Insurance Underwriters ..............................................................................96
on page 759.
Loan Officers..............................................................................................98
Management Analysts ..............................................................................101
Index: Lists all jobs mentioned in this book in
Meeting and Convention Planners............................................................103
alphabetical order. Begins on page 805. Tax Examiners, Collectors, and Revenue Agents ....................................107
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Table of Contents v
Teachers—Adult Literacy and Remedial Education................................245
Professional and Related Occupations
Teachers—Postsecondary..........................................................................248
Teachers—Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle,
Computerand Mathematical Occupations ..........................................111
and Secondary......................................................................................252
Actuaries....................................................................................................111
Teachers—Self-Enrichment Education ....................................................256
Computer Programmers............................................................................114
Teachers—Special Education....................................................................258
Computer Scientists and Database Administrators ..................................117
Computer Software Engineers..................................................................120 Art and Design Occupations..................................................................261
Computer Support Specialists and Systems Administrators....................123 Artists and Related Workers......................................................................261
Computer Systems Analysts......................................................................126 Commercial and Industrial Designers......................................................264
Mathematicians..........................................................................................128 Fashion Designers ....................................................................................266
Operations Research Analysts..................................................................130 Floral Designers........................................................................................269
Statisticians................................................................................................132 Graphic Designers ....................................................................................271
Interior Designers......................................................................................273
Architects, Surveyors, and Cartographers ..........................................135
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval..................................................135 Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Occupations........276
Landscape Architects................................................................................137 Actors, Producers, and Directors..............................................................276
Surveyors, Cartographers, Photogrammetrists, and Surveying Athletes, Coaches, Umpires, and Related Workers..................................279
and Mapping Technicians....................................................................140 Dancers and Choreographers....................................................................283
Musicians, Singers, and Related Workers................................................285
Engineers..................................................................................................144
Media and Communications-Related Occupations..............................287
Drafters and Engineering Technicians..................................................153
Announcers................................................................................................287
Drafters......................................................................................................153
Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technicians and Radio
Engineering Technicians ..........................................................................156
Operators..............................................................................................290
Life Scientists ..........................................................................................159 Interpreters and Translators......................................................................292
Agricultural and Food Scientists..............................................................159 News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents ......................................297
Biological Scientists..................................................................................162 Photographers............................................................................................299
Conservation Scientists and Foresters......................................................166 Public Relations Specialists......................................................................302
Medical Scientists......................................................................................170 Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators
and Editors............................................................................................304
Physical Scientists....................................................................................173 Writers and Editors....................................................................................306
Atmospheric Scientists..............................................................................173
Chemists and Materials Scientists............................................................176 Health Diagnosing and Treating Occupations......................................310
Environmental Scientists and Hydrologists..............................................179 Audiologists..............................................................................................310
Geoscientists..............................................................................................182 Chiropractors ............................................................................................312
Physicists and Astronomers......................................................................185 Dentists......................................................................................................314
Dietitians and Nutritionists........................................................................316
Social Scientists and Related Occupations............................................188 Occupational Therapists............................................................................318
Economists................................................................................................188 Optometrists..............................................................................................321
Market and Survey Researchers................................................................191 Pharmacists................................................................................................323
Psychologists............................................................................................193 Physical Therapists....................................................................................325
Urban and Regional Planners....................................................................197 Physician Assistants..................................................................................327
Social Scientists, Other ............................................................................199 Physicians and Surgeons ..........................................................................329
Podiatrists..................................................................................................332
Science Technicians ................................................................................203
Radiation Therapists..................................................................................335
Community and Social Services Occupations......................................207 Recreational Therapists ............................................................................337
Counselors ................................................................................................207 Registered Nurses......................................................................................338
Health Educators ......................................................................................211 Respiratory Therapists..............................................................................343
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists......................213 Speech-Language Pathologists..................................................................346
Social and Human Service Assistants ......................................................215 Veterinarians..............................................................................................348
Social Workers..........................................................................................217
Health Technologists and Technicians..................................................351
Legal Occupations ..................................................................................221 Athletic Trainers........................................................................................351
Court Reporters ........................................................................................221 Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians........................................353
Judges, Magistrates, and Other Judicial Workers ....................................224 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians ................................356
Lawyers ....................................................................................................227 Dental Hygienists......................................................................................359
Paralegals and Legal Assistants................................................................230 Diagnostic Medical Sonographers............................................................360
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics....................................363
Education, Training, Library, and Museum Occupations..................233
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses................................365
Archivists, Curators, and Museum Technicians........................................233
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians............................367
Instructional Coordinators........................................................................236
Nuclear Medicine Technologists..............................................................369
Librarians..................................................................................................238
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians..................371
Library Technicians..................................................................................241
Opticians, Dispensing................................................................................374
Teacher Assistants ....................................................................................243
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vi Top300Careers
Pharmacy Technicians..............................................................................376 Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks......................................490
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians ..............................................378 Gaming Cage Workers..............................................................................492
Surgical Technologists..............................................................................380 Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks ..............................................................494
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians................................................382 Procurement Clerks ..................................................................................495
Tellers........................................................................................................497
Service Occupations
Information and Record Clerks............................................................499
Brokerage Clerks......................................................................................499
Healthcare Support Occupations..........................................................385 Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks................................................501
Dental Assistants ......................................................................................385 Customer Service Representatives............................................................502
Massage Therapists ..................................................................................387 File Clerks ................................................................................................505
Medical Assistants....................................................................................389 Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks......................................................507
Medical Transcriptionists..........................................................................391 Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping..............508
Nursing, Psychiatric, and Home Health Aides..........................................393 Interviewers ..............................................................................................510
Occupational Therapist Assistants and Aides ..........................................396 Library Assistants, Clerical ......................................................................512
Pharmacy Aides........................................................................................398 Order Clerks..............................................................................................514
Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides ..................................................400 Receptionists and Information Clerks......................................................515
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks............517
Protective Service Occupations..............................................................402
Correctional Officers................................................................................402 Material Recording, Scheduling, Dispatching, and
Fire Fighting Occupations........................................................................404 Distributing Occupations..................................................................519
Police and Detectives................................................................................407 Cargo and Freight Agents..........................................................................519
Private Detectives and Investigators ........................................................411 Couriers and Messengers..........................................................................520
Security Guards and Gaming Surveillance Officers................................414 Dispatchers................................................................................................522
Meter Readers, Utilities............................................................................524
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations..........................417
Postal Service Workers..............................................................................525
Chefs, Cooks, and Food Preparation Workers..........................................417
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks ..........................................528
Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers....................................421
Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks..................................................529
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations......425 Stock Clerks and Order Fillers..................................................................531
Building Cleaning Workers......................................................................425 Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping..............532
Grounds Maintenance Workers................................................................427
OtherOffice and Administrative Support Occupations......................533
Pest Control Workers................................................................................430
Communications Equipment Operators....................................................533
Personal Care and Service Occupations ..............................................433 Computer Operators..................................................................................536
Animal Care and Service Workers............................................................433 Data Entry and Information Processing Workers......................................538
Barbers, Cosmetologists, and Other Personal Appearance Desktop Publishers....................................................................................540
Workers................................................................................................436 Office and Administrative Support Worker Supervisors
Child Care Workers..................................................................................438 and Managers........................................................................................542
Fitness Workers ........................................................................................441 Office Clerks, General..............................................................................544
Flight Attendants ......................................................................................444 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants................................................546
Gaming Services Occupations..................................................................446
Personal and Home Care Aides................................................................449 Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations
Recreation Workers ..................................................................................451
Agricultural Workers................................................................................550
Fishers and Fishing Vessel Operators ......................................................553
Sales and Related Occupations
Forest, Conservation, and Logging Workers............................................555
Advertising Sales Agents..........................................................................454
Cashiers ....................................................................................................456 Construction Trades and Related Workers
Counter and Rental Clerks........................................................................458
Demonstrators, Product Promoters, and Models......................................460 Boilermakers..............................................................................................559
Insurance Sales Agents..............................................................................463 Brickmasons, Blockmasons, and Stonemasons........................................561
Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents......................................................467 Carpenters..................................................................................................564
Retail Salespersons....................................................................................470 Carpet, Floor, and Tile Installers and Finishers........................................566
Sales Engineers..........................................................................................472 Cement Masons, Concrete Finishers, Segmental Pavers,
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing..............................474 and Terrazzo Workers ..........................................................................569
Sales Worker Supervisors..........................................................................477 Construction and Building Inspectors......................................................572
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents ..............480 Construction Equipment Operators..........................................................575
Travel Agents............................................................................................484 Construction Laborers ..............................................................................578
Drywall Installers, Ceiling Tile Installers, and Tapers..............................580
Electricians................................................................................................583
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
Elevator Installers and Repairers..............................................................586
Glaziers......................................................................................................588
Financial Clerks......................................................................................487
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers....................................................590
Bill and Account Collectors......................................................................487
Insulation Workers....................................................................................593
Billing and Posting Clerks and Machine Operators..................................488
Painters and Paperhangers........................................................................595
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Table of Contents vii
Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters..................................598 Machinists..................................................................................................672
Plasterers and Stucco Masons ..................................................................601 Tool and Die Makers................................................................................675
Roofers......................................................................................................603 Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Workers................................................677
Sheet Metal Workers ................................................................................605
Printing Occupations..............................................................................680
Structural and Reinforcing Iron and Metal Workers................................608
Bookbinders and Bindery Workers ..........................................................680
Prepress Technicians and Workers............................................................682
Installation, Maintenance, and
Printing Machine Operators......................................................................684
Repair Occupations
Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Occupations ..................................686
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Mechanics, Installers, Woodworkers ..........................................................................................690
and Repairers......................................................................................611
Plant and System Operators..................................................................693
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers..................611
Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers..............................693
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers..................................613
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators..............................................695
Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers
Water and Liquid Waste Treatment Plant and System Operators............697
and Repairers........................................................................................616
Radio and Telecommunications Equipment Installers OtherProduction Occupations..............................................................700
and Repairers........................................................................................617 Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers..............................700
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers......................................702
Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Mechanics, Installers,
Medical, Dental, and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians......................705
and Repairers......................................................................................621
Painting and Coating Workers, Except Construction
Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Service
and Maintenance..................................................................................709
Technicians ..........................................................................................621
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators........711
Automotive Body and Related Repairers..................................................624
Semiconductor Processors........................................................................713
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics......................................626
Diesel Service Technicians and Mechanics..............................................630
Heavy Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Service Technicians Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
and Mechanics......................................................................................632
Small Engine Mechanics..........................................................................635 AirTransportation Occupations............................................................716
Air Traffic Controllers..............................................................................716
OtherInstallation, Maintenance, and RepairOccupations................637
Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers..........................................................718
Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers
and Repairers........................................................................................637 Material Moving Occupations................................................................722
Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics
and Installers........................................................................................639 MotorVehicle Operators........................................................................725
Home Appliance Repairers........................................................................643 Bus Drivers................................................................................................725
Industrial Machinery Mechanics and Maintenance Workers....................645 Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs ....................................................................728
Line Installers and Repairers....................................................................648 Truck Drivers and Driver/Sales Workers..................................................731
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General..............................................650 Rail Transportation Occupations..........................................................735
Millwrights................................................................................................652
WaterTransportation Occupations ................................................738
Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers........................................654
Job Opportunities in the Armed Forces ........742
Production Occupations
Occupational Information
Assemblers and Fabricators..................................................................659
Network Coverage ....................................750
Food Processing Occupations................................................................662
Quick Job Search........................................759
Metal Workers and Plastic Workers ....................................................666
Computer Control Programmers and Operators ......................................666 Index ........................................................805
Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders—Metal and Plastic..................669
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Introduction
Occupational Information Included in This
Handbook
Top 300 Careers provides information on hundreds of occupations that comprise 9 out of 10 jobs in the economy.
Because it covers so many occupations, it is best used as a reference and is not meant to be read from cover to cover.
Begin by looking at the table of contents, in which similar occupations are grouped in clusters, or by looking at the
index, in which occupations are listed alphabetically.
Each job description follows a standard format, making it easier for you to compare occupations. This overview
explains how the descriptions are organized.
About Those Numbers at the Beginning of Each Job Description
The numbers that appear just below the title of every job description are from the Occupational Information Net-
work (O*NET), a system used by state employment service offices to classify applicants and job openings and by
some career information centers and libraries to file occupational information.
You can use the O*NETto search for occupations that match your skills, or you may search by keyword or O*NET
code. For each occupation, O*NETreports information about different aspects of the job, including tasks performed,
knowledge, skills, abilities, and work activities. It also lists interests; work styles, such as independence; and work
values, such as achievement, that are well suited to the occupation. The O*NETranks and scores the descriptors in
each category by their importance to the occupation. You can access the O*NET at http://www.online.
onetcenter.org, and it is also available as a book—O*NETDictionary of Occupational Titles (JIST).
Significant Points
This section highlights key occupational characteristics discussed in the description.
Nature of the Work
What workers do on the job, what tools and equipment they use, and how closely they are supervised are discussed
in this section. The description on fire fighting occupations, for example, gives a detailed account of the responsi-
bilities of a firefighter, which include operating the fire hose, providing emergency medical care, and cleaning and
maintaining equipment. Some descriptions mention alternative job titles or occupational specialties. The description
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Introduction ix
on accountants and auditors, for example, discusses several specialties, including public accountants, management
accountants, and internal auditors.
Work environment.This subsection discuses the workplace, physical activities, and typical hours of workers in the
occupation. It describes opportunities for part-time work, the extent of travel required, special equipment that is
used, and the risk of injury that workers may face.
In many occupations, people work regular business hours—40 hours a week, Monday through Friday—but many
do not. The work setting can range from a hospital to a mall to an offshore oil rig. Truck drivers might be suscepti-
ble to injury, while paramedics have high job-related stress. Semiconductor processors may wear protective cloth-
ing or equipment, some construction laborers do physically demanding work, and top executives may travel
frequently.
Information on various worker characteristics, such as the average number of hours worked per week, is obtained
from the Current Population Survey (CPS), a survey of households conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau for the
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Economists in BLS consult many sources before making changes to the nature of
the work section, or any other section, of a description. Usual sources include articles from newspapers, magazines,
and professional journals, as well as the Web sites of professional associations, unions, and trade groups. Informa-
tion found on the Internet or in periodicals is verified through interviews with individuals employed in the occupa-
tion; professional associations; unions; and others with occupational knowledge, such as university professors and
career counselors.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
After you gather your initial impressions of what a job is all about, it is important to understand how to prepare for
it. The “Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement” section explains the steps necessary to enter and advance
in an occupation.
Education and training.This subsection describes the most significant sources of education and training, the type
of education or training preferred by employers, and the typical length of training. The type of education or train-
ing required for each occupation varies, and two similar occupations can have very different requirements. For
example, sales experience is particularly important for many sales jobs, but other sales jobs require formal post-
secondary education, such as a bachelor’s degree.
Licensure.The kinds of mandatory licenses or certifications associated with an occupation are described in this sub-
section. To be certified or licensed, a worker usually is required to complete one or more training courses and pass
one or more examinations. Most occupations do not have mandatory licensure or certification requirements, but
those that do, for example, include lawyers, pharmacists, and social workers. Some occupations have numerous pro-
fessional credentials granted by different organizations, in which case the most widely recognized organizations are
listed.
Other qualifications. Any additional qualifications that are not included in the previous subsections, such as the
desirable skills, aptitudes, and personal characteristics that employers look for, would be discussed in this section.
For example, meeting and convention planners must have excellent interpersonal and organizational skills and the
ability to work under pressure and must pay attention to detail. For some entry-level jobs, personal characteristics
are more important than formal training.
Advancement. This subsection details possible advancement opportunities after gaining experience in an occupa-
tion. Advancement can come in several forms, including advancement within the occupation, such as promotion to
a management position; advancement into other occupations, such as leaving a job as a lawyer to become a judge;
and advancement to self-employment, such as an automotive technician opening his or her own repair shop. Certain
types of certification can serve as a form of advancement. Voluntary certification often demonstrates a level of com-
petency to employers and can result in more responsibility, higher pay, or a new job.
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