25 Breakout Jobs & Salaries

We live in an aging, technology-hungry society — and the jobs of the future prove it.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, one-in-four new jobs will be in the healthcare and social assistance or the private educational service sectors, and computer occupations account for five of the 20 fastest-growing occupations.

These 25 careers are expected to be among the hottest jobs in the fastest-growing industries in the United States through 2012. Some of them need applicants with a college degree. Some need people willing to learn on-the-job. All promise excellent job growth.

1. Computer Software Engineers — $74,980 (applications); $79,740 (systems software)*
Computer applications software engineers analyze users’ needs and design and maintain computer applications software. Computer applications software engineers coordinate and maintain companies’ computer systems.

2. Detectives — $53,990
Detectives gather facts and collect evidence for criminal cases.

3. Home Health Aides — $18,330
Home health aides perform health-related services, including administering oral medications, to allow elderly or disabled persons to live at home instead of in a health facility.

4. Programmers — $65,910
Computer programmers write, test, and maintain the programs computers follow to perform their functions.

5. Pharmacists — $84,900
Pharmacists dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use.

6. Security Consultants — around $45,000 (specific salary data not available)
Security consultants work to secure the safety of an organization against natural or man-made threats such as theft, earthquakes, computer hackers or terrorists.

7. Employment, Recruitment and Placement Specialists — $41,190
Employment, recruitment and placement specialists recruit and evaluate applicants and attempt to match them with client firms.

8. Social and Human Service Assistants — $24,270
Social and human service assistants aid the community in a variety of ways, including helping individuals establish their eligibility for benefits and services and providing emotional support.

9. Computer Systems Analysts — $66,460
Systems analysts help solve computer problems, design new systems and add new software applications to help organization get the most from their technology.

10. Social Workers — $39,440 (all other)
Social workers help individuals improve their relationships, living environments, personal and family problems.

11. Education Administrators — Ranges from $35,730 (preschool) to $74,190 (elementary and secondary)
Education administrators serve as instructional leaders and manage the day-to-day activities of schools, preschools, and colleges and universities.

12. Database Administrators — $60,650
Database administrators determine the most effective ways to organize and store data, such as setting up computer databases.

13. Occupational Therapists — $54,660
Occupational therapists help people with disabling conditions become better able to perform daily living and occupational tasks.

14. Childcare Workers — $16,760
Childcare workers care for and teach children of all ages in childcare centers, public schools, private households and other facilities when parents are away.

15. Fitness Trainers — $25,470
Fitness trainers help clients to assess their physical fitness levels, demonstrate exercise techniques and help their clients set and reach their fitness goals.

16. Management Consultants — $63,450
Management consultants analyze and propose ways to improve an organization’s structure, efficiency or profits.

17. Physical Therapist Aides — $21,380
Physical therapist aides help make therapy sessions more efficient by keeping the treatment area clean and organized and helping transport patients from one area to another.

18. Speech-Language Pathologists — $52,410
Speech-language pathologists assess, diagnose, treat and help prevent speech, language, voice and other related disorders.

19. Dental Hygienists — $58,350
Dental hygienists examine patients’ teeth and gums, remove deposits from teeth, teach patients good oral hygiene, and provide other preventive dental care.

20. Hazardous Materials Removal Workers — $33,320
Hazardous materials removal workers identify, remove and dispose of various hazardous materials such as asbestos, lead, and radioactive materials.

22. Network Systems and Data Communication Analysts — $60,600
Network systems and data communication analysts design, test and evaluate network systems including local area networks and the Internet.

23. Preschool Teachers — $20,980
Preschool teachers use methods adapting to children’s play to further language and vocabulary development, improve social skills and introduce scientific and mathematical concepts.

24. Registered Nurses — $52,330
Nurses observe, assess and record patients’ symptoms, administer medications and assist in rehabilitation.

25. Environmental Scientists — $51,080
Environmental scientists measure and observe air, water and soil to identify sources of pollutants, and recommend the best ways to clean and preserve the environment.

* May 2004 BLS data