27. Personal financial advisers

Projected increase in 2018: 30.1 percent
Number employed in 2008: 208,000
Median pay in 2008: $69,050
Education/training: The minimum requirement for a financial adviser is a bachelor's degree. However, it's a field in which workers frequently attend training courses to keep up with changes in the industry.
Job outlook: Although this is expected to be one of the top 10 fastest-growing occupations, competition for new jobs is expected to be tough. Again, this industry's growth can be attributed in large part to the millions of baby boomers who will soon retire.
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