30. Physician assistants

Projected increase in 2016: 27 percent
Number employed in 2006: 66,000
Median pay in 2006: $74,980
Education/training: Completion of a two-year physician assistant program is required before candidates are eligible to take the national license exam.
Job outlook: As healthcare facilities, particularly in rural and inner city areas, increasingly use physician assistants to address physician shortages and save money, job demand will grow.
• More on physician assistants
• Job openings in New England for physician assistants