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“I was looking for a job and then I found a job, and heaven knows I’m miserable now.”
Or so goes the famous Smiths’ tune. But what if your job didn’t make you miserable? What if you finally found that dream job you were looking for, and actually looked forward to Mondays?
Given recent job growth data, it really looks like some Americans are truly finding rewarding, well-paying jobs. And if you’re throwing darts to see which sector you’ll likely end up in over the next decade, there’s about a one-in-four chance you’ll hit healthcare.
Below are some of the fastest-growing jobs and industries in America.
(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.)
Healthcare:
According to government data, healthcare and social assistance jobs are projected to become the largest major employing sector in the next decade. You’re going to need to invest in yourself since most of these require post-secondary education or specialized training, but you can pretty much bank on rock-solid job security.
- Pharmacist (avg. salary: $120k)
- Audiologist (avg. salary: $69k)
- Registered Nurse (avg. salary: $66k)
- Ultrasound Technician (avg. salary: $65k)
- Dental Hygienist (avg. salary: $62k)
- Health Educator (avg. salary: $52k)
- Physical Therapy Assistant (avg. salary: $47k)
Information Technology:
Information Technology is expected to grow about 12 percent by 2024. As we all move into the cloud, so to speak, big data and the “internet of things” are going to continue to create a lot of demand for skilled I.T. workers with increasingly broad-ranging skill sets. In 2015, the median annual wage for a job in computing was $81k. Imagine what you’d be making in 2024.
- Project Manager (avg. salary: $73k to $121k)
- Software Developer (avg. salary: $72k to $109k)
Engineering:
What’s the difference between an introverted engineer and an extroverted one?
An extroverted engineer builds bridges. An introverted engineer builds walls.
It’s not hilarious, but neither are the salaries our geeky counterparts are pulling down. Even if it’s too late for you, tell your kids to pay attention in math class.
- Manufacturing Engineer (avg. salary: $79k)
- Mechanical Engineer (avg. salary: $84k)
Finance and Accounting:
While business and financial occupations aren’t expected to grow as much as those in healthcare, they’ll probably maintain their current trend — about 8 percent growth into 2024. The median wage in this sector is about $65k, but quite a few people make significantly more than that.
- Senior Accountant (avg. salary: $61k to $85k)
- Cost Accountant (avg. salary: $51k to $74k)
- Cost Estimator (avg. salary: $61k)
Hospitality:
You know that friend who worked in catering all those nights and weekends? Well, if they stuck with it long enough to get promoted into a more managerial role they’ll be reaping the benefits.
- Food Service Manager (avg. salary: $58k)
- Meeting/Event Planner (avg. salary: $55k)
Other:
And here’s a sampling of what you might expect to earn in a few careers outside the sectors listed above.
- Human Resource Manager (avg. salary: $96k)
- Heavy- and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver (avg. salary: $40-$70k)
- Market Research Analyst (avg. salary: $51k)
- Translator (avg. salary: $43k)
So if you’re not happy where you’re at, you can always change paths. In fact, a recent study conducted for LinkedIn found that the average millennial worker will change jobs four times by age 32.
(Source: http://money.cnn.com/2016/04/12/news/economy/millennials-change-jobs-frequently/)
Search all these fields and more at KSL Jobs, Utah’s number 1 job board.
