Biological scientists

Average salary: $78,910

Demand: Very good. Job markets in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and most biological sciences continue strong in the Greater Boston area, as some companies expand operations here. Stem cell research is on the rise, and cancer, gene therapy, and Alzheimer's disease study receive heavy investments. Demand is strong in sales, marketing, and applied research, but competition can be tough, especially for PhDs.

Qualifications: PhD for pure research; master's for applied research or product development; bachelor's sometimes sufficient for sales.