The U.S. employment market has endured one of its worst crises since the Great Depression, but some careers are in strong demand. Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that 7.9 million private sector jobs have been lost between December 2007 and June 2010, some categories need and will continue to need workers. Many of the top 10 careers do not require a four-year college degree. An Associate degree or certificate may be all that is needed to obtain work in one of these fast-growing fields. Here is a review of top 10 careers that are poised for growth in the coming years.
1. Dental Hygienist: A two-year degree can pave the way to a rewarding career assisting dentists in essential patient care. Dental hygienists perform an increasing amount of important functions in a dental office, and the pay is impressive. The BLS states a mean income of $67,800 for people involved in this fast-growing profession.
2. Nuclear Medicine Technologist: As the American population ages, more people require treatments involving radiation. Mammograms, MRI tests and other procedures make use of radioactive isotopes. An Associate degree in nuclear medicine technology enables candidates to prepare patients, calculate dosages and administer treatments. The mean income of $66,660 will increase, as will the need for certified technologists.
3. Nurse: Qualified nurses are more in demand than ever. An Associate degree along with certification can be the ticket to entering this well-paying profession. According to BLS data from May 2009, registered nurses earned a mean salary of $66,500. The more education, training and experience a nurse can acquire, the higher the earning potential.
4. Electrical Engineering Technician: With continuing technological advances comes the need for technicians to maintain and repair the devices. Equipped with an Associate degree as an electrical engineering technician, people can enter this constantly growing area of specialization. The mean income reported by the BLS in May 2009 was $55,410.
5. Court Reporter: As court reporters, people have the important task of recording all activities in trials and pre-trial events. These professionals must be able to capture, transcribe and store all proceedings in a wide range of legal affairs. A two-year degree will provide the training necessary to qualify to be a court reporter. In 2009, the mean salary for a court reporter was $52,460, per information supplied by the BLS.
6. Occupational Therapy Assistant: More assistants than ever are needed in the area of occupational therapy. By helping an occupational therapist, assistants may choose to work in a variety of establishments, including hospitals, schools, offices and nursing homes. Assistants help people to perform basic skills in daily living environments or in their jobs. In 2009, the BLS recorded a mean income of $50,830 for OT assistants.
7. Paralegal: People employed as paralegals perform a number of important duties in the exciting legal and criminal justice fields. To become a paralegal, people must complete a two-year degree program in paralegal studies. The mean income for paralegals and legal assistants in 2009 was $50,080, per data supplied by the BLS.
8. Physical Therapist Assistant: Helping people recover from injuries and surgeries is one of the many benefits of becoming an assistant to a physical therapist. The number of people in this occupation is expected to grow from 60,000, as recorded in 2006, to about 80,000 by 2016. The mean income as reported by BLS is $48,590.
9. Computer Support Specialist: Every business needs someone to keep its computer systems running smoothly. With an Associate degree in this specialty, people can work in a huge array of environments, or earn a healthy income by freelancing. The BLS stated a 2009 mean income of $47,300 for computer support specialists.
10. Respiratory Therapist Technician: People in this profession have the essential responsibility of aiding others to breathe. With their knowledge of ventilators, inhalers, oxygen meters and other devices, these technicians are in demand in emergency rooms, operating rooms and other medical environments. An Associate degree may allow people to earn a mean income of $45,680, as reported in 2009 by the BLS.
People interested in the top 10 careers should investigate educational programs through their local community colleges, or obtain online degrees at accredited institutions.