100 Fastest-Growing Careers: Your Complete Guidebook to Major Jobs with the Most Growth and Openings

397 Pages·2006·7.086 MB·English

by  Michael Farr

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Part of JIST’s Top Careers™ Series
110000
Fastest-Growing
C A R E E R S
Your Complete Guidebook to Major Jobs with
the Most Growth and Openings
NINTH EDITION
Michael Farr
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100 Fastest-Growing Careers, Ninth Edition
Your Complete Guidebook to Major Jobs with the Most Growth and Openings
Previous edition was titled America’s 101 Fastest Growing Jobs
© 2006 by JISTPublishing, Inc.
Published by JISTWorks, an imprint of JISTPublishing, Inc.
8902 Otis Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46216-1033
Phone: [phone]-JIST Fax: 1-800-JIST-FAX
E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.jist.com
Some books by Michael Farr: JIST’s Top CareersTMSeries:
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
The Very Quick Job Search
Top 100 Computer and Technical Careers
Visit www.jist.com for free job search information, book excerpts, and ordering information on our many products. For
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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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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-13: 978-1-59357-317-1
ISBN-10: 1-59357-317-0
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Relax. You Don’t Have to
Read This Whole Book!
You don’t need to read this entire book. I’ve organized itinto easy-to-use sections so you can get just the informa-
tion you want. You will find everything you need to
★ Learn about the 100 fastest-growing jobs, including their daily tasks, pay, outlook, and required educa-
tion and skills.
★ Match your personal skills to the jobs.
★ Take seven steps to land a good job in less time.
To get started, simply scan the table of contents to learn more about these sections and to see a list of the jobs
described in this book. Really, this book is easy to use, and I hope it helps you.
Who Should Use This Book?
This is more than a book of job descriptions. I’ve spent quite a bit of time thinking about how to make its contents
useful for a variety of situations, including
★ Exploring careeroptions.The job descriptions in Part II give a wealth of information on many of the
most desirable jobs in the labor market. The assessment in Part I can help you focus your career options.
★ Considering more education ortraining. The information helps you avoid costly mistakes in choosing
a career or deciding on additional training or education—and it increases your chances of planning a
bright future.
★ Job seeking.This book helps you identify new job targets, prepare for interviews, and write targeted
resumes. The advice in Part III has been proven to cut job search time in half.
★ Careerplanning.The job descriptions help you explore your options, and Parts III and IVprovide
career planning advice and other useful information.
Source of Information
The job descriptions come from the good people at the U.S. Department of Labor, as published in the most recent
edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook.The OOH is the best source of career information available, and the
descriptions include the most current, accurate data on jobs. Thank you to all the people at the Department of Labor
who gather, compile, analyze, and make sense of this information. It’s good stuff, and I hope you can make good
use of it.
Mike Farr
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Contents
Detailed Contents
Summary of Major Sections
Introduction. Provides an explanation of the job
Introduction ............................................1
descriptions, how best to use the book, and other
details. Begins on page 1.
Part I: Using the Job-Match Grid to
Part I: Using the Job-Match Grid to Choose a
Choose a Career............................15
Career. Match your skills and preferences to the jobs
in this book. Begins on page 15.
Part II: Descriptions of the 100 Fastest-Growing Part II: Descriptions of the 100
Careers. Presents thorough descriptions of the 100 Fastest-Growing Careers ..............31
fastest-growing jobs. Education and training require-
Accountants and Auditors ..................................................32
ments for these jobs vary from on-the-job training to a
Administrative Services Managers ....................................36
four-year college degree or more. Each description
Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations,
gives information on the nature of the work, working
and Sales Managers ........................................................39
conditions, employment, training, other qualifications,
Animal Care and Service Workers......................................41
advancement, job outlook, earnings, related occupa-
Athletes, Coaches, Umpires, and Related Workers............44
tions, and sources of additional information. The jobs
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics ..............47
are presented in alphabetical order. The page numbers Barbers, Cosmetologists, and Other Personal
where specific descriptions begin are listed in the Appearance Workers ......................................................51
detailed contents. Begins on page 31. Bill and Account Collectors................................................53
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks................55
Part III: Quick Job Search—Seven Steps to Getting
Building Cleaning Workers................................................56
a Good Job in Less Time. This relatively brief but
Bus Drivers ........................................................................59
important section offers results-oriented career plan-
Carpenters ..........................................................................62
ning and job search techniques. It includes tips on iden-
Cement Masons, Concrete Finishers, Segmental
tifying your key skills, defining your ideal job, using
Pavers, and Terrazzo Workers ........................................64
effective job search methods, writing resumes, organiz-
Chefs, Cooks, and Food Preparation Workers....................67
ing your time, improving your interviewing skills, and
Child Care Workers............................................................71
following up on leads. The last part of this section fea-
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians ..........74
tures professionally written and designed resumes for
Computer and Information Systems Managers..................76
some of the fastest-growing jobs. Begins on page 299.
Computer Scientists and Database Administrators ............78
Part IV: Important Trends in Jobs and Industries. Computer Software Engineers............................................82
This section includes two well-written articles and two Computer Support Specialists and
charts on labor market trends. The articles and charts Systems Administrators..................................................84
Computer Systems Analysts ..............................................87
are worth your time. Titles of the articles are “Tomor-
Counselors ..........................................................................90
row’s Jobs” and “Employment Trends in Major Indus-
Counter and Rental Clerks..................................................94
tries.” Titles of the charts are “High-Paying
Customer Service Representatives......................................95
Occupations with Many Openings, Projected
Demonstrators, Product Promoters, and Models................98
2004–2014” and “Large Metropolitan Areas That Had
Dental Assistants ..............................................................102
the Fastest Employment Growth, 2004–2005.” Begins
Dental Hygienists..............................................................103
on page 361.
Education Administrators..................................................105
Electricians........................................................................108
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Table of Contents v
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics............111 Police and Detectives........................................................225
Engineers ..........................................................................113 Property, Real Estate, and Community Association
Financial Analysts and Personal Financial Advisors........122 Managers ......................................................................229
Financial Managers ..........................................................125 Public Relations Specialists..............................................232
Fire Fighting Occupations................................................128 Radiologic Technologists and Technicians ......................235
Fitness Workers ................................................................131 Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents..............................237
Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers ..........133 Receptionists and Information Clerks..............................239
Food Processing Occupations ..........................................137 Recreation Workers ..........................................................241
Gaming Services Occupations..........................................140 Registered Nurses ............................................................243
Graphic Designers ............................................................143 Respiratory Therapists......................................................247
Grounds Maintenance Workers........................................145 Retail Salespersons ..........................................................249
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers ..........................148 Roofers..............................................................................251
Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Sales Representatives, Wholesale and
Mechanics and Installers ..............................................150 Manufacturing ..............................................................253
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks..............................153 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants........................256
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Security Guards and Gaming Surveillance Officers........259
Timekeeping..................................................................155 Social and Human Service Assistants ..............................261
Human Resources, Training, and Labor Relations Social Workers..................................................................263
Managers and Specialists..............................................157 Surgical Technologists......................................................266
Instructional Coordinators................................................162 Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs ............................................268
Lawyers ............................................................................163 Teacher Assistants ............................................................271
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses........167 Teachers—Postsecondary..................................................273
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General......................169 Teachers—Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary,
Management Analysts ......................................................170 Middle, and Secondary..................................................277
Market and Survey Researchers ......................................173 Teachers—Self-Enrichment Education ............................281
Massage Therapists ..........................................................175 Teachers—Special Education............................................283
Material Moving Occupations..........................................178 Top Executives..................................................................285
Medical and Health Services Managers ..........................181 Truck Drivers and Driver/Sales Workers..........................288
Medical Assistants............................................................183 Veterinary Technologists and Technicians........................292
Medical Records and Health Information Writers and Editors ..........................................................294
Technicians....................................................................185
Medical Scientists ............................................................187 Part III: Quick Job Search—Seven Steps
Medical Transcriptionists..................................................190 to Getting a Good Job in
Nursing, Psychiatric, and Home Health Aides ................192
Less Time................................299
Occupational Therapists....................................................195
Office and Administrative Support Worker
Supervisors and Managers............................................197 Part IV: Important Trends in Jobs
Office Clerks, General......................................................199 and Industries..........................361
Painters and Paperhangers................................................201
Paralegals and Legal Assistants........................................203 Tomorrow’s Jobs ..............................................................363
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks ......................................206 Employment Trends in Major Industries..........................373
Personal and Home Care Aides........................................207 High-Paying Occupations with Many Openings,
Pharmacists ......................................................................209 Projected 2004–2014 ....................................................385
Pharmacy Technicians......................................................212 Large Metropolitan Areas That Had the Fastest
Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides ..........................214 Employment Growth, 2004–2005 ................................387
Physical Therapists............................................................215
Physician Assistants..........................................................217 Index ..................................................389
Physicians and Surgeons ..................................................219
Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters..........222
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Introduction
This book is about improving your life, not just about selecting and getting a fast-growing job. The career you
choose will have an enormous impact on how you live.
Ahuge amount of information is available on occupations, but most people don’t know where to find accurate, reli-
able 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, this book will help with solid information. The education and
training needed for the jobs described in this book vary enormously. You will notice that many of the better-paying
jobs may require more training or education than you now have. Some require brief training or on-the-job experi-
ence. Many better-paying jobs, however, call for technical training lasting from a few months to a few years. Oth-
ers require a four-year college degree or more. But some jobs, such as certain sales and management occupations,
have high pay but do not always involve advanced education. This book is designed to give you facts to help you
explore your options.
Acertain 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 health care, for example, you can choose from a variety of work environments and a variety of
industries. This book includes details to help you weigh your options.
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. For this reason, I suggest that you begin to explore alter-
natives by following your interests and finding a career path that allows you to use your skills and talents. This book
can help you find the work that suits you best and that offers a promising future.
The 100 Fastest-Growing Careers List
I think it’s important for you to understand how I developed the list of the fastest-growing careers for this book. I
used the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor, which provides growth projections through 2014 for
268 major jobs that encompass 90 percent of the workforce. I started by sorting all of those jobs based on their per-
cent of projected growth through 2014, from highest to lowest. I then sorted the jobs based on the projected num-
ber of annual new job openings, also from highest to lowest. For these 268 jobs, the average (mean) growth rate is
11.1 percent, and the average number of openings annually is 63,848.
From these two lists I created a third list based on the relative position of each job on the first two lists. I did this
by adding the score for each job’s position on the lists. For example, a job with a high percentage of growth and a
high number of new job openings appears toward the top.
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2 100 Fastest-Growing Careers
Perhaps you’re wondering why I use figures for both job growth and number of openings. Aren’t these two ways of
saying the same thing? Actually, both are important. Ajob may have a fast growth rate overall, but it may be a rel-
atively small occupation with not many people employed in it. So jobs with both a high rate of growth and many
openings offer the best opportunity.
The 100 jobs with the most favorable combined scores for projected percent increase and annual number of job
openings through 2014 appear in the following table. As you can see, the list includes a variety of jobs at all levels
of education, training, and interest.
Notice that two of the top 10 fastest-growing jobs are computer related, and four are in the health-care area—two
rapidly growing fields. Another point to notice is that most of the fastest-growing jobs require training or education
beyond high school. While job opportunities at all levels of education and training are listed in the table, many
better-paying jobs require postsecondary education or training. If you want more information on important labor
market trends, consider reading the excellent and brief review of labor market trends in Part IV.
Note that you can find a complete description for each job listed below in Part II. You will also find these jobs listed
in the table of contents along with the page number where each job description begins.
The 100 Fastest-Growing Careers
Percent Growth Through 2014 Annual Job Openings
1. Nursing, Psychiatric, and Home Health Aides ........................................31 ..................................487,000
2. Personal and Home Care Aides ............................................................40 ..................................230,000
3. Teachers—Postsecondary....................................................................32 ..................................329,000
4. Medical Assistants..............................................................................52....................................93,000
5. Registered Nurses..............................................................................29 ..................................229,000
6. Computer Software Engineers..............................................................46....................................91,000
7. Customer Service Representatives ........................................................22 ..................................510,000
8. Computer Support Specialists and Systems Administrators........................28 ..................................121,000
9. Receptionists and Information Clerks....................................................21 ..................................299,000
10. Counter and Rental Clerks ..................................................................23 ..................................126,000
11. Human Resources, Training, and Labor Relations
Managers and Specialists....................................................................23 ..................................114,000
12. Accountants and Auditors ..................................................................22 ..................................157,000
13. Retail Salespersons............................................................................17................................1,350,000
14. Social and Human Service Assistants....................................................29....................................61,000
15. Dental Assistants ..............................................................................42....................................45,000
16. Teachers—Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary,
Middle, and Secondary........................................................................18 ..................................510,000
17. Computer Systems Analysts ................................................................31....................................56,000
18. Grounds Maintenance Workers..............................................................19 ..................................279,000
19. Teachers—Self-Enrichment Education....................................................25....................................74,000
20. Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers....................................16................................2,359,000
21. Fitness Workers..................................................................................27....................................50,000
22. Bill and Account Collectors ................................................................21....................................85,000
23. Building Cleaning Workers ..................................................................16 ..................................863,000
24. Counselors........................................................................................21....................................83,000
25. Top Executives..................................................................................16 ..................................246,000
26. Social Workers ..................................................................................22....................................67,000
27. Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations,
and Sales Managers............................................................................20....................................77,000
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Introduction 3
Percent Growth Through 2014 Annual Job Openings
28. Athletes, Coaches, Umpires, and Related Workers....................................20....................................75,000
29. Management Analysts ........................................................................20....................................82,000
30. Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs ................................................................24....................................43,000
31. Pharmacy Technicians ........................................................................28....................................35,000
32. Gaming Services Occupations ..............................................................23....................................47,000
33. Physicians and Surgeons ....................................................................23....................................41,000
34. Chefs, Cooks, and Food Preparation Workers ..........................................14 ..................................844,000
35. Paralegals and Legal Assistants............................................................29....................................28,000
36. Animal Care and Service Workers..........................................................24....................................34,000
37. Public Relations Specialists ................................................................22....................................38,000
38. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses..................................17....................................84,000
39. Recreation Workers............................................................................17....................................69,000
40. Financial Analysts and Personal Financial Advisors..................................21....................................45,000
41. Truck Drivers and Driver/Sales Workers..................................................13 ..................................515,000
42. Bus Drivers ......................................................................................15 ..................................110,000
43. Maintenance and Repair Workers, General..............................................15 ..................................154,000
44. Child Care Workers ............................................................................13 ..................................439,000
45. Computer Scientists and Database Administrators ..................................26....................................26,000
46. Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks....................................................17....................................62,000
47. Dental Hygienists..............................................................................43....................................17,000
48. Medical and Health Services Managers..................................................22....................................33,000
49. Teacher Assistants..............................................................................14 ..................................252,000
50. Teachers—Special Education................................................................20....................................37,000
51. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics......................................15....................................93,000
52. Computer and Information Systems Managers........................................25....................................25,000
53. Barbers, Cosmetologists, and Other Personal
Appearance Workers ..........................................................................15....................................87,000
54. Carpenters........................................................................................13 ..................................210,000
55. Education Administrators....................................................................16....................................58,000
56. Medical Scientists..............................................................................33....................................16,000
57. Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians ..................................22....................................28,000
58. Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics......................................27....................................21,000
59. Physical Therapists ............................................................................36....................................13,000
60. Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing ..............................13 ..................................216,000
61. Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration
Mechanics and Installers ....................................................................19....................................33,000
62. Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides ................................................40....................................12,000
63. Writers and Editors............................................................................17....................................35,000
64. Fire Fighting Occupations....................................................................22....................................25,000
65. Physician Assistants ..........................................................................49....................................10,000
66. Police and Detectives ........................................................................15....................................66,000
67. Security Guards and Gaming Surveillance Officers ..................................12 ..................................232,000
68. Medical Transcriptionists ....................................................................23....................................20,000
69. Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks............................................................17....................................36,000
70. Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters ................................15....................................68,000
71. Roofers............................................................................................16....................................38,000
72. Instructional Coordinators ..................................................................27....................................15,000
(continued)
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