Careers

Fastest Growing Occupations, 2000-2010 time period
(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Employment Projections)

Rank Occupation Employed in 2000 Projected in 2010 Percent change1 Earnings quartile2 Training needed
1 Computer software engineers, applications 380,000 760,100 100% $$$$ Bachelor's degree
2 Computer support specialists3 505,600 995,900 97% $$$ Associate degree
3 Computer software engineers, systems software 316,900 601,200 90% $$$$ Bachelor's degree
4 Network and computer systems administrators 228,500 415,700 82% $$$$ Bachelor's degree
5 Network systems and data communications analysts 118,700 210,600 77% $$$$ Bachelor's degree
6 Desktop Publishers 38,000 63,300 67% $$$ Postsecondary vocational award
7 Database administrators 106,000 175,900 66% $$$$ Bachelor's degree
8 Personal and home care aides 413,600 672,100 62% $ Short-term on-the-job training
9 Computer systems analysts 431,400 689,200 60% $$$$ Bachelor's degree
10 Medical assistants 328,600 515,800 57% $$ Moderate on-the-job training
11 Social and human service assistants 270,800 417,700 54% $$ Moderate on-the-job training
12 Physician assistants 57,800 88,700 53% $$$$ Bachelor's degree
13 Medical records and health information technicians 135,700 202,200 49% $$ Associate degree
14 Computer and information systems managers 313,000 462,900 48% $$$$ Bachelor's or higher degree, plus work experience
15 Home health aides 615,400 906,600 47% $ Short-term on-the-job training
16 Physical therapist aides 35,900 52,500 46% $$ Short-term on-the-job training
17 Occupational therapist aides 8,500 12,400 45% $$ Short-term on-the-job training
18 Physical therapist assistants 43,900 63,600 45% $$$ Associate degree
19 Audiologists 12,800 18,500 45% $$ Short-term on-the-job training
20 Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors 158,300 222,200 40% $$ Postsecondary vocational award
21 Computer and information scientists, research 28,000 39,400 40% $$$$ Doctoral degree
22 Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers 55,200 77,200 40% $ Short-term on-the-job training
23 Occupational therapist assistants 16,500 23,100 40% $$$ Associate degree
24 Veterinary technologists and technicians 49,400 68,800 39% $$ Associate degree
25 Speech-language pathologists 87,900 122,400 39% $$$$ Master's degree

Note: The national average percent change is 15.2% for the 2000-2010 employment projection series.
$$$$ = Very high ($39,700 and over), $$$ = High ($25,760 to $39,660), $$ = Low ($18,500 to $25, 760), $ = Very low (up to $18,490)
This occupation is also 16th among the top 25 occupations projected to have the most openings over the 2000-2010 period.