Recently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics updated their Occupational Outlook Handbook to reflect projected job growth from 2014-2024. The updated Handbook is essential reading for anyone who’s thinking about changing careers in the next few years, and wants to make sure that there are jobs waiting for them on the other side of retraining.
(Photo Credit: Lawrence Murray/Flickr)
Overall, employment is expected to increase by around 7 percent by 2024, with healthcare occupations leading the pack for growth. In fact, more than half of the fastest-growing occupations were healthcare-related.
Of course, if you’re choosing a new occupation, growth isn’t the only factor that matters; earning potential, training and education required, and job satisfaction are also important considerations. Embarking on a relatively secure career is meaningless, if you’re underpaid and unhappy in your new job.
The ranking below lists the 12 occupations predicted to grow by at least 30 percent over the next decade, plus their current median salary according to PayScale data, the typical education required, and how PayScale users with these jobs rate their job satisfaction.
Median Salary: $21,862
Typical Education and Training: No formal educational requirement; short on-the-job training
Job Satisfaction: Highly Satisfied
Median Salary: $86,211
Typical Education and Training: Master’s Degree
Job Satisfaction: Extremely Satisfied
Median Salary: Data not available; Healthcare Aides earn a median hourly wage of $10
Typical Education and Training: High school diploma or equivalent; short on-the-job training
Job Satisfaction: Data not available
4. Occupational Therapy Assistant
Median Salary: $38,106
Typical Education and Training: Associate’s Degree
Job Satisfaction: Highly Satisfied
5. Operations Research Analyst
Median Salary: $74,843
Typical Education and Training: Bachelor’s Degree
Job Satisfaction: Extremely Satisfied
Median Salary: $58,527
Typical Education and Training: Bachelor’s Degree; Long-term on-the-job training
Job Satisfaction: Extremely Satisfied
Median Salary: $25,302
Typical Education and Training: High school diploma or equivalent; short on-the-job training
Job Satisfaction: Extremely Satisfied
Median Salary: $45,088
Typical Education and Training: Associate’s Degree
Job Satisfaction: Extremely Satisfied
Median Salary: $66,560
Typical Education and Training: Doctoral or Professional Degree
Job Satisfaction: Extremely Satisfied
Median Salary: $86,618
Typical Education and Training: Master’s Degree
Job Satisfaction: Extremely Satisfied
11. Statistician
Median Salary: $71,899
Typical Education and Training: Master’s Degree
Job Satisfaction: Extremely Satisfied
12. Wind Turbine Service Technicians
Median Salary: $44,136
Typical Education and Training: Some college, no degree; long-term on-the-job training
Job Satisfaction: Highly Satisfied
Tell Us What You Think
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I’m going back to school to be a nurse. Money is a factor but not my first priority. Helping people is the number one driver.