Top 25 occupations
Overall Listed below are the 25 occupations projected to grow the fastest during the 2000-2010 time period. Click on an occupation to learn more about it, including state data.
# |
Occupation |
Employment |
Percent change * |
Earnings Quartile |
Most significant source of education or training |
2000 |
2010 |
1 |
Computer software engineers, applications |
380,000 |
760,100 |
100% |
|
Bachelor's degree |
2 |
Computer support specialists |
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-term on-the-job training |
11 |
Social and human service assistants |
270,800 |
417,700 |
54% |
|
Moderate-term 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% |
|
Master's degree |
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
|