Table Of ContentFASTEST
GROWING
JOBS
Detailed Information on the 141 Fastest
Growing Jobs in Our Economy
Seventh Edition
(cid:1)
Thorough, up-to-date descriptions of the fastest grow-
ing jobs in our economy
(cid:1)
Information on skills needed, education and training
required, salaries, growth potential, and much more
(cid:1)
Special section on how to find a job fast
(cid:1)
Resume examples by professional resume writers for
some of America’s fastest growing jobs
(cid:1)
Helpful information on labor market
trends Part of
America’s
Top Jobs®
Series
Michael Farr
America’s Fastest Growing Jobs, Seventh Edition
Detailed Information on the 141 Fastest Growing Jobs in Our Economy
© 2003 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
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Visit our Web site for more details on JIST, free job search information, book excerpts, and ordering information on our many
products!
Some other books by Michael Farr: Other books in the America’s Top Jobs®
The Very Quick Job Search series:
The Quick Resume & Cover Letter Book America’s Top 300 Jobs
America’s Top Resumes for America’s Top Jobs America’s Top Computer and Technical Jobs
Getting the Job You Really Want America’s Top Jobs for People Without a Four-Year Degree
Best Jobs for the 21st Century (LaVerne L. Ludden, America’s Top Jobs for College Graduates
coauthor) America’s Top Military Careers
Career Guide to America’s Top Industries
For other career-related materials, turn to the back of this book.
Quantity discounts are available for JIST books. Please call our Sales Department at 1-800-648-JIST for more information and a
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Editors: Susan Pines, Veda Dickerson, Mary Ellen Stephenson
Cover and Interior Designer: Aleata Howard
Interior Layout: Carolyn J. Newland
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05 04 03 02 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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copies of any part of this book for any purpose other than your own personal use is a violation of United States copyright laws.
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 1-56370-880-9
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
sections 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 sections
plus a list of the jobs described in
this book. Really, this book is easy
to use, and I hope it helps you.
America’s 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. Depart-
This is more than a book of job descriptions.
ment of Labor, as published in the most recent
I’ve spent quite a bit of time thinking about
edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
how to make its contents useful for a variety
The OOH is the best source of career informa-
of situations, including
tion available, and the descriptions include the
latest data on earnings and other details. Other
(cid:1) Exploring career options. The job descrip-
sections also present solid information from
tions in Section One give a wealth of infor-
various sources at the U.S. Department of La-
mation on many of the most desirable jobs
bor. So, thank you to all the people at the Labor
in the labor market.
Department who gather, compile, analyze, and
(cid:1) Considering more education or training. make sense of this information. It’s good stuff,
The information helps you avoid costly and I hope you can 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
(cid:1) Job seeking. This book helps you identify
new job targets, prepare for interviews, and
write targeted resumes. The career planning
and job search advice in Section Two has
been proven to cut job search time in half!
(cid:1) Career planning. The job descriptions help
you explore your options, and Sections Two
and Three provide career planning advice
and other useful information.
iv © 2003 (cid:2) JIST Works (cid:2) Indianapolis, IN
Table of Contents
Summary of Major Sections
The 141 Jobs Described in
Introduction. The introduction explains each job
description element, gives tips on using the book Section One
for career exploration and job seeking, provides
lists of the fastest growing jobs by percentage
growth and number of openings, and provides The titles for the 141 jobs described in Section One
other details. The introduction begins on page 1. are listed below in alphabetical order. The page
number where each description begins is also listed.
Section One: Descriptions of the Fastest Grow- Simply find jobs that interest you, and then read
ing Jobs. This is the book’s major section, with those descriptions. An introduction to Section One
thorough descriptions of 141 of the fastest grow- begins on page 12 and provides additional infor-
ing jobs in the United States. Each description gives mation on how to interpret the descriptions.
information on significant points, nature of the
Accountants and Auditors..........................................18
work, working conditions, employment, training,
other qualifications, advancement, job outlook, Actors, Producers, and Directors ................................21
earnings, related occupations, and sources of ad- Administrative Services Managers ..............................24
ditional information. The jobs are presented in
Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public
alphabetical order. The page numbers where spe-
Relations, and Sales Managers ................................27
cific descriptions begin are listed here in the table
Animal Care and Service Workers ...............................30
of contents. Section One begins on page 17.
Artists and Related Workers........................................32
Section Two: The Quick Job Search—Seven Steps
Assemblers and Fabricators........................................35
to Getting a Good Job in Less Time. This brief
but important section offers results-oriented career Athletes, Coaches, Umpires, and Related Workers......37
planning and job search techniques. It includes Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics..........40
tips on identifying your key skills, defining your
Barbers, Cosmetologists, and Other Personal
ideal job, using effective job search methods, writ-
Appearance Workers ...............................................44
ing resumes, organizing your time, improving your
Bill and Account Collectors.........................................46
interviewing skills, and following up on leads. The
second part of this section features professionally Billing and Posting Clerks and Machine Operators .....48
written and designed resumes for some of America’s Biological and Medical Scientists................................49
fastest growing jobs. Section Two begins on page 357.
Biomedical Engineers..................................................52
Section Three: Important Trends in Jobs and Building Cleaning Workers..........................................55
Industries. This section presents a brief and well-
Busdrivers...................................................................57
written article on labor market trends, titled
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians.............60
“Tomorrow’s Jobs.” This section also provides a list
of 261 major jobs arranged from the highest per- Carpenters..................................................................62
centage growth through the lowest, along with Cashiers ......................................................................64
other information. Section Three begins on page 419.
Chefs, Cooks, and Food Preparation Workers.............66
Chemists and Materials Scientists...............................69
Childcare Workers.......................................................72
Chiropractors..............................................................75
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians ......77
Computer and Information Systems Managers ..........79
Computer-Control Programmers and Operators.........81
Computer Hardware Engineers...................................84
vv
America’s Fastest Growing Jobs
Computer Programmers .............................................86 Lawyers.....................................................................188
Computer Software Engineers....................................89 Library Assistants, Clerical.........................................192
Computer Support Specialists and Systems Library Technicians....................................................193
Administrators.........................................................92 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational
Construction Laborers ................................................95 Nurses ...................................................................195
Construction Managers ..............................................97 Line Installers and Repairers .....................................197
Correctional Officers.................................................100 Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders—
Counselors................................................................102 Metal and Plastic...................................................199
Counter and Rental Clerks ........................................106 Management Analysts..............................................202
Customer Service Representatives.............................107 Material Moving Occupations...................................204
Demonstrators, Product Promoters, and Models......109 Medical and Health Services Managers.....................207
Dental Assistants ......................................................112 Medical Assistants ....................................................209
Dental Hygienists......................................................114 Medical Records and Health Information
Technicians ............................................................211
Designers..................................................................115
Medical Transcriptionists ..........................................213
Desktop Publishers ...................................................119
Musicians, Singers, and Related Workers..................215
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers ............................122
Nuclear Medicine Technologists................................217
Diesel Service Technicians and Mechanics.................124
Nursing, Psychiatric, and Home Health Aides ...........219
Dispatchers...............................................................126
Occupational Therapist Assistants and Aides............221
Drafters.....................................................................129
Occupational Therapists ...........................................223
Economists and Market and Survey Researchers ......131
Office and Administrative Support Worker
Education Administrators.........................................134
Supervisors and Managers.....................................224
Electricians................................................................137
Office Clerks, General ...............................................226
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics ......139
Opticians, Dispensing ...............................................228
Engineering Technicians............................................142
Optometrists.............................................................229
Environmental Engineers..........................................144
Painters and Paperhangers .......................................231
Environmental Scientists and Geoscientists ..............147
Paralegals and Legal Assistants.................................233
Financial Analysts and Personal Financial Advisors ...150
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks.................................236
Financial Managers...................................................153
Personal and Home Care Aides.................................237
Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers.....156
Pest Control Workers ................................................239
Food Service Managers.............................................159
Pharmacists ..............................................................241
Gaming Cage Workers..............................................161
Pharmacy Aides ........................................................243
Gaming Services Occupations...................................163
Pharmacy Technicians ...............................................244
Grounds Maintenance Workers ................................165
Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides ....................246
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers.....................167
Physical Therapists....................................................248
Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration
Physician Assistants ..................................................249
Mechanics and Installers........................................170
Physicians and Surgeons...........................................251
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks........................173
Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters...254
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and
Timekeeping..........................................................174 Police and Detectives................................................256
Human Resources, Training, and Labor Relations Private Detectives and Investigators .........................261
Managers and Specialists ......................................176 Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment
Industrial Machinery Installation, Repair, and Specialists..............................................................263
Maintenance Workers............................................181 Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks ............265
Instructional Coordinators........................................184 Property, Real Estate, and Community Association
Landscape Architects................................................185 Managers ..............................................................266
vi © 2003 (cid:2) JIST Works (cid:2) Indianapolis, IN
Contents
Public Relations Specialists .......................................270 Social Workers..........................................................310
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians.................272 Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists......313
Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents........................274 Stock Clerks and Order Fillers ...................................315
Receptionists and Information Clerks .......................277 Surgical Technologists...............................................317
Recreation and Fitness Workers................................278 Systems Analysts, Computer Scientists, and
Registered Nurses.....................................................281 Database Administrators.......................................318
Respiratory Therapists...............................................284 Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs.......................................322
Retail Salespersons ...................................................286 Teacher Assistants.....................................................325
Roofers .....................................................................288 Teachers—Adult Literacy and Remedial and
Self-Enrichment Education ....................................327
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and
Manufacturing.......................................................289 Teachers—Postsecondary..........................................329
Sales Worker Supervisors..........................................292 Teachers—Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary,
Middle, and Secondary..........................................332
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants.................294
Teachers—Special Education.....................................336
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services
Sales Agents ..........................................................297 Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera
Operators and Editors ...........................................339
Security Guards and Gaming Surveillance
Officers..................................................................300 Top Executives...........................................................341
Semiconductor Processors........................................302 Truckdrivers and Driver/Sales Workers ......................345
Sheet Metal Workers.................................................304 Veterinarians.............................................................348
Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks .....................307 Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Workers.................351
Social and Human Service Assistants........................308 Writers and Editors...................................................354
© 2003 (cid:2) JIST Works (cid:2) Indianapolis, IN vii
I
NTRODUCTION
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.
While a huge amount of information is available on occupations, most
people 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 additional
coursework, a college degree, or an advanced degree—this book will help
with solid information. More training and education is now typically re-
quired to get better jobs, and the education and training needed for the
jobs described in this book vary enormously. This book gives you the facts
you need for exploring 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 are to work with children, for ex-
ample, you can do this in a variety of work environments, in a variety of
industries, and in a variety of jobs. For this reason, I suggest 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 ca-
reer planning can pay off in higher earnings, but being satisfied with your
work—and your life—is often more important than how much you earn.
This book can help you find the work that suits you best.
1
