Healthcare dominates 10 best jobs
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 13 years, 4 months AGO
They do it each April: Rank the best and worst of 200 jobs in the U.S., anchored at each end by top (and bottom) 10 lists. The prestigious Wall Street Journal started the rankings in 1995, rating jobs according to more than 100 criteria, such as salary, costs, employment outlook, and stress levels. By 2009 the WSJ dropped the ranking, so it shifted to Careercast.com, an award-winning jobs site.
The 10 best jobs for 2013 in order are:
1. Actuary. Essentially, a math whiz who speaks statistics and evaluates risk, e.g. for insurance companies. Median salary:$87,650. Projected job growth: 27 percent.
2. Biomedical engineer. A medical translator of sorts who works with doctors, researchers, and manufacturers fueling technological improvements. Median salary: $81,540. Projected growth: 62 percent.
3. Software engineer. These days it's about cloud computing, whatever that is. Salary: $90,530. Growth: 30 percent.
4. Audiologist. Addresses hearing and balance problems, especially for our growing population of seniors. Salary: $66,660. Growth: 37 percent.
5. Financial planner. The Baby Boomers probably also drive this growth. Salary: $64,750. Growth: 32 percent.
6. Dental hygienist.Note they rank much higher than doctors and surgeons - better hours, less stress and debt. Salary: $68,250. Growth: 38 percent.
7. Occupational therapist. Work with the injured/ill to speed rehabilitation. Salary: $72,320. Growth: 33 percent.
8. Optometrist. The eyeglass specialists, different from ophthalmologists (who are M.D.s.); maybe it's the eye strain from all that screen time. Salary: $94,990. Growth: 33 percent.
9. Physical therapist. PT is prescribed more often than it was decades ago, with good results in rehabilitation after injuries and surgeries (or to avoid both). Salary: $76,310. Growth: 39 percent.
10. Computer systems analyst. Think networks. Salary: $77,740. Growth: 22 percent.
The least stressful job for 2013? University professor, i.e., three months off (pressure to publish not withstanding) and an average $62,000 in annual income according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Next time, the 10 worst jobs. Guess which one has the dubious honor of topping that one? Hint: Word nerds need not apply.
Sholeh Patrick, J. D. is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Contact her at [email protected].