STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — If you’re contemplating a career change and looking for a job that has plenty of growth potential, you might want to consider a switch to health care, technology or renewable energy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these industries will see the biggest jump in employment over the next 10 years.
The department, which is one of the principal fact-finding agencies for the U.S. government, recently published an Occupational Outlook Handbook, defining which roles are currently in demand. The list was dominated by medical and health professional titles as well as statisticians, software developers and those working in the solar power field.
Here’s a look at the top 10 fastest-growing jobs in the U.S., as well as their median salaries and projected growth rate, as reported in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ handbook:
10. Software Developers
What they do: Software developers design computer applications or programs.
What they make: $132,270
Predicted job growth rate: 26%. About 153,900 openings for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
9. Physical Therapist Assistants
What they do: Physical therapist assistants are supervised by physical therapists to help patients regain movement and manage pain after injuries and illnesses.
What they make: $64,080
Predicted job growth rate: 26%. About 24,300 openings for physical therapist assistants and aides are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
8. Physician Assistants
What they do: Physician assistants examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the supervision of a physician.
What they make: $130.020
Predicted job growth rate: 27%. About 12,200 openings for physician assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
7. Epidemiologists
What they do: Epidemiologists are public health workers who investigate patterns and causes of disease and injury.
What they make: $81,390
Predicted job growth rate: 27%. About 800 openings for epidemiologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
6. Medical and Health Services Managers
What they do: Medical and health services managers plan, direct and coordinate the business activities of healthcare providers.
What they make: $110,680
Predicted job growth rate: 28%. About 54,700 openings for medical and health services managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
5. Information Security Analysts
What they do: Information security analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems.
What they make: $120,360
Predicted job growth rate: 32%. About 16,800 openings for information security analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
4. Statisticians
What they do: Statisticians analyze data and apply computational techniques to solve problems.
What they make: $104,110
Predicted job growth rate: 32%. About 3,500 openings for mathematicians and statisticians are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
3. Data Scientists
What they do: Data scientists use analytical tools and techniques to extract meaningful insights from data.
What they make: $108,020
Predicted job growth rate: 35%. About 17,700 openings for data scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
2. Nurse Practitioners
What they do: Nurse practitioners coordinate patient care and may provide primary and specialty healthcare.
What they make: $126,260
Predicted job growth rate: 45%. About 29,200 openings for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
1. Wind Turbine Service Technicians
What they do: Wind turbine service technicians maintain and repair wind turbines.
What they make: $61,770
Predicted job growth rate: 45%. About 1,800 openings for wind turbine technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
