The popularity of the first post on five high demand jobs for the future demonstrates the high level of interest in finding a secure, in-demand career. Read on for five more jobs that have high projected demand, based on percentage growth and number of job openings:
Accountants and Auditors
Accountants prepare and maintain financial records; report on financial conditions to management; and establish and modify accounting systems. Auditors collect and analyze data in order to ensure the accuracy of reported financial information. Most accountants and auditors have a bachelor’s degree or higher in accounting, business administration or finance. Several certifications are available for professionals in the accounting field, including Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA). Accountants and auditors earned an average annual wage of $60,340 in 2009.
Biomedical Engineers
Biomedical engineers design medical diagnostic machinery, prosthetic devices, clinical instrumentation, and imaging equipment . They also conduct research on biological systems and may contribute to the development of pharmaceutical drugs. A bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering is the minimum education requirement, and over half of biomedical engineers have a master’s degree or higher. Growth of 72% is expected for the field through 2018. Biomedical engineers earned a median annual wage of $78,860 in 2009.
Computer Security Specialists
Computer security specialists install security software, monitor programs for security breaches, and implement application controls to prevent unauthorized access to information. They also perform risk assessments, keep back-up files, and train users. The majority of computer security specialists have a bachelor’s degree or higher. A Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) designation, awarded to those who pass an exam on computer security, provides further qualification. Computer security specialists earned an average annual wage of $67,710 in 2009.
Physician Assistants
Physician assistants perform duties similar to those of medical doctors, including patient examinations and interpretation of test results. They also make tentative diagnoses, prescribe treatments with physician approval, and assist physicians during medical procedures. Physician assistants must be graduates of an accredited physician assistant program and must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination. Thirty-nine percent growth is expected through 2018 and the median annual wage for physician assistants was $84,420 in 2009.
Special Education Teachers
Special education teachers work with students who have learning or physical disabilities. They modify the general curriculum to meet the individual needs of their students. Special education teachers must develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each student, outlining goals and steps to achieving those goals. They work closely with parents, administrators, therapists and other teachers to ensure that each student’s educational needs are met. Special education teachers must be licensed, and licensing requirements vary from state to state. Traditional licensing requires completion of a bachelor’s degree and an approved teacher preparation program. Many states offer alternative routes to licensing in which candidates with at least a bachelor’s degree can complete training through a partnered university along with supervised teacher for a period of one or two years. Special education teachers earned a median annual wage of $50,950 in 2009.
Although not a comprehensive list, the jobs above represent good options to consider if you want to be an in-demand worker. Location, experience, and technological changes are a few factors that can affect demand for a given job. Read Where the Jobs Are Now: The Fastest-Growing Industries and How to Break Into Them
*Employment projections from the Occupational Outlook Handbook , salary data from O*Net Online.