15. Application software developers
Occupation description according to O*NET: Develop, create, and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs.
Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 25.6%
Average annual salary: $103,620
Top knowledge areas: Computers and electronics, engineering and technology, and English language
Top skills: Programming, systems analysis, and systems evaluation
14. Operations research analysts
Occupation description according to O*NET: Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decision making, policy formulation, or other managerial functions.
Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 25.6%
Average annual salary: $83,390
Top knowledge areas: Mathematics, English language, computers and electronics
Top skills: Mathematics, complex problem solving, and critical thinking
13. Mathematicians
Occupation description according to O*NET: Conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields.
Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 26.0%
Average annual salary: $101,900
Top knowledge areas: Mathematics, computers and electronics, and English language
Top skills: Mathematics, complex problem solving, critical thinking and reading comprehension
12. Genetic counselors
Occupation description according to O*NET: Assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects.
Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 27.0%
Average annual salary: $80,370
Top knowledge areas: Biology, psychology, and medicine and dentistry
Top skills: Reading comprehension, active listening, and complex problem solving
11. Physical therapist assistants
Occupation description according to O*NET: Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures.
Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 27.1%
Average annual salary: $58,040
Top knowledge areas: Customer and personal service, English language, and medicine and dentistry
Top skills: Active listening, monitoring, social perceptiveness, and speaking
10. Speech-language pathologists
Occupation description according to O*NET: Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders.
Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 27.3%
Average annual salary: $77,510
Top knowledge areas: English language, psychology, customer and personal service, and education and training
Top skills: Active listening, critical thinking, learning strategies, reading comprehension, social perceptiveness, and speaking
9. Nurse practitioners
Occupation description according to O*NET: Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team.
Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 28.2%
Average annual salary: $107,030
Top knowledge areas: Medicine and dentistry, psychology, customer and personal service, English language, and therapy and counseling
Top skills: Active learning, active listening, critical thinking, reading comprehension, and social perceptiveness
8. Statisticians
Occupation description according to O*NET: Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information.
Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 30.7%
Average annual salary: $87,780
Top knowledge areas: Mathematics, English language, and computers and electronics
Top skills: Mathematics, critical thinking, and reading comprehension
7. Physician assistants
Occupation description according to O*NET: Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician.
Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 31.1%
Average annual salary: $108,610
Top knowledge areas: Medicine and dentistry, biology, psychology
Top skills: Active listening, critical thinking, reading comprehension, and speaking
6. Information security analysts
Occupation description according to O*NET: Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information.
Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 31.6%
Average annual salary: $98,350
Top knowledge areas: Computers and electronics, English language, administration and management
Top skills: Reading comprehension, critical thinking, active listening, and complex problem solving
5. Occupational therapy assistants
Occupation description according to O*NET: Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures.
Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 33.1%
Average annual salary: $60,220
Top knowledge areas: Customer and personal service, English language, and psychology
Top skills: Active listening, speaking, reading comprehension, social perceptiveness, time management, and writing
4. Personal care aides
Occupation description according to O*NET: Assist the elderly, convalescents, or persons with disabilities with daily living activities at the person's home or in a care facility.
Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 36.4%
Average annual salary: $24,020
Top knowledge areas: Customer and personal service, English language, psychology
Top skills: Service orientation, social perceptiveness, active listening
3. Home health aides
Occupation description according to O*NET: Provide routine individualized healthcare such as changing bandages and dressing wounds, and applying topical medications to the elderly, convalescents, or persons with disabilities at the patient's home or in a care facility.
Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 36.6%
Average annual salary: $24,200
Top knowledge areas: Customer and personal service, English language, psychology, and public safety and security
Top skills: Active listening, service orientation, social perceptiveness
2. Wind turbine service technicians
Occupation description according to O*NET: Inspect, diagnose, adjust, or repair wind turbines. Perform maintenance on wind turbine equipment including resolving electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic malfunctions.
Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 56.9%
Average annual salary: $54,370
Top knowledge areas: Mechanical, computers and electronics, engineering and technology
Top skills: Repairing, troubleshooting, equipment maintenance
1. Solar photovoltaic installers
Occupation description according to O*NET: Assemble, install, or maintain solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on roofs or other structures in compliance with site assessment and schematics.
Expected growth rate between 2018 and 2028: 63.3%
Average annual salary: $42,680
Top knowledge areas: Mechanical, building and construction, English language
Top skills: Installation, active listening, critical thinking
