Ten Hottest Careers

“Should I choose one of the Ten Hottest Careers if I want to be sure I’ll be able to get a job?” asked Amy.

“Every year, lists of the hot careers appear in the media,” I responded. “The lists are usually based on the careers that are growing the fastest (in terms of jobs openings) or on projected demand in the future, and sometimes includes the career salary.”

“A lot of people want to know if it is wise to base their career decision on a list like the Ten Hottest Careers,” I continued. “It can certainly be one of your factors, but it should not be the only one, unless getting the job is the only thing that matters to you, and working conditions, colleagues, salary, benefits, enjoyment, etc., are not important.”

“So, how should I use this kind of list?” Amy asked.

“These types of career lists are helpful when either beginning your career research or as a tool in evaluating potential careers,” I said. “Also, keep in mind that a list like the Ten Hottest Careers will change over time, even from year to year. What’s hot on year can turn cold and then turn hot again. Or, it can move from hot to lukewarm and stay there. There are no guarantees.”

10 Fastest Growing Occupations

“For example, the 10 fastest growing occupations projected for 2004 through 2014 and their projected growth, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics are:

• Home Health Aides 56%
• Network Systems and Data Communication Analysts 55%
• Medical Assistants 52%
• Physician Assistants 50%
• Computer Software Engineers, Applications 48%
• Physical Therapist Assistants 44%
• Dental Hygienists 43%
• Computer Software Engineers, Systems Software 43%
• Dental Assistants 43%
• Personal and Home Care Aides 41%”

“The fastest growing occupations projected for 2004 through 2014 that require a college degree and their projected growth, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics are:

• Network systems and data communications analysts (Bachelor's degree) 55%
• Physician assistants (Bachelor's degree) 50%
• Computer software engineers, applications (Bachelor's degree) 48%
• Physical therapist assistants (Associate degree) 44%
• Dental hygienists (Associate degree) 43%
• Computer software engineers, systems software (Bachelor's degree) 43%
• Network and computer systems administrators (Bachelor's degree) 38%
• Database administrators (Bachelor's degree) 38%
• Physical therapists (Master's degree) 37%
• Forensic science technicians (Associate degree) 36%
• Veterinary technologists and technicians (Associate degree) 35%
• Diagnostic medical sonographers (Associate degree) 35%
• Occupational therapist assistants (Associate degree) 34%
• Medical scientists, except epidemiologists (Doctoral degree) 34%
• Occupational therapists (Master's degree) 34%
• Cardiovascular technologists and technicians (Associate degree) 33%
• Postsecondary teachers (Doctoral degree) 32%
• Hydrologists (Master's degree) 32%
• Computer systems analysts (Bachelor's degree) 31%
• Biomedical engineers (Bachelor's degree) 31%
• Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists (Bachelor's degree) 30%
• Environmental engineers (Bachelor's degree) 30%
• Paralegals and legal assistants (Associate degree) 30%”

“When considering hottest careers and their viability over time, it is important to consider the basis for it appearing on the list, and whether those factors have staying power,” I explained. “For example, a career that is hot based on a trend that will be unfolding over time – such as a healthcare career that is growing because of aging baby boomers – is more likely to hold its heat over a period of years than one based on a fad. Use a list like the Ten Hottest Careers with care.”