The top thirty fastest-growing jobs by 2018

If you’re considering switching careers or are just starting to think about where to start yours, this is the list for you: The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projections of the 30 fastest-growing careers.

The projections, which are updated every two years, show that the total number of people employed in the United States will have increased 10.1 percent — by 15.3 million — between 2008 and 2018. However, some jobs will grow at a much faster rate during that period.

(Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook and Career Guide to Industries)

30. Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors

Projected increase in 2018: 29.4 percent

Number employed in 2008: 261,000

Median pay in 2008: $29,210

Education/training: Getting certified by one of the top certification organizations is becoming increasingly important, especially for personal trainers.

Job outlook: Aging baby boomers, one group that increasingly is becoming concerned with staying healthy and physically fit, will be the main driver of employment growth in fitness workers.

29. Occupational therapist assistants

Projected increase in 2018: 29.8 percent

Number employed in 2008: 27,000

Median pay in 2008: $50,830

Education/training: Occupational therapist assistants must attend a school accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education in order to sit for the national certifying exam for occupational therapist assistants.

Job outlook: The growing elderly population is particularly vulnerable to chronic and debilitating conditions that require therapeutic services. These patients often need additional assistance in their treatment, making the roles of assistants and aides vital.

28. Environmental engineering technicians

Projected increase in 2018: 30.1 percent

Number employed in 2008: 21,000

Median pay in 2008: $41,100

Education/training: Most employers prefer to hire someone with a two-year associate degree or other postsecondary training in engineering technology.

Job outlook: Competitive pressures will force companies to improve and update manufacturing facilities and product designs, although increased efficiencies and automation of many support activities will curtail job growth for engineering technicians.

27. Personal financial adviser

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.

26. Physical therapists

Projected increase in 2018: 30.3 percent

Number employed in 2008: 186,000

Median pay in 2008: $72,790

Education/training: The American Physical Therapy Association’s accrediting body accredits entry-level academic programs in physical therapy. A graduate degree and state licensing are required.

Job outlook: Changes to restrictions on reimbursement for physical therapy services by third-party payers will increase patient access to services and, thus, increase demand. The increasing elderly population will drive growth in the demand for physical therapy services.

25. Survey researchers

Projected increase in 2018: 30.4 percent

Number employed in 2008: 23,000

Median pay in 2008: $36,220

Education/training: A bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational requirement for many market and survey research jobs. However, a master’s degree is usually required for more technical positions.

Job outlook: Survey researchers will increase much faster than average as public policy groups and all levels of governments increasingly use public opinion research to help determine a variety of issues.

24. Computer software and systems software engineers

Projected increase in 2018: 30.4 percent

Number employed in 2008: 395,000

Median pay in 2008: $85,430

Education/training: A bachelor’s degree and experience with a variety of software and systems are a must. However, engineers are expected to continue to educate themselves in the latest technology.

Job outlook: This occupation will grow as the demand for computer networking skills, particularly at companies, increases. The need for new Internet applications, system safety, and upgrading are a few of the specific needs this job handles.

23. Pharmacy technicians

Projected increase in 2018: 30.6 percent

Number employed in 2008: 326,000

Median pay in 2008: $28,500

Education/training: No formal training required. In most states, pharmacy technicians must be registered with the state board of pharmacy. In some states applicants must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent and pay an application fee.

Job outlook: The increased number of middle-aged and elderly people—who use more prescription drugs than younger people—will spur demand for pharmacy workers throughout the projection period. In addition, as scientific advances lead to new drugs, and as more people obtain prescription drug coverage, pharmacy workers will be needed in growing numbers.

22. Environmental engineers

Projected increase in 2018: 30.6 percent

Number employed in 2008: 54,000

Median pay in 2008: $74,020

Education/training: A bachelor’s degree in engineering is required for almost all entry-level engineering jobs. College graduates with a degree in a natural science or mathematics occasionally may qualify for some engineering jobs.

Job outlook: A shift in emphasis toward preventing problems rather than controlling those which already exist, as well as increasing public health concerns resulting from population growth, also are expected to spur demand for environmental engineers.

21. Occupational therapist aides

Projected increase in 2018: 30.7 percent

Number employed in 2008: 8,000

Median pay in 2008: $28,890

Education/training: Occupational therapist aides usually receive most of their training on the job. Qualified applicants must have a high school diploma, strong interpersonal skills, and a desire to help people in need.

Job outlook: The growing elderly population is particularly vulnerable to chronic and debilitating conditions that require therapeutic services. These patients often need additional assistance in their treatment, making the roles of assistants and aides vital.

20. Compliance officers*

Projected increase in 2018: 31.1 percent

Number employed in 2008: 260,000

Median pay in 2008: $53,760

Education/training/job outlook: Varies (e.g. loan officer or claims adjuster, as pictured; see this list for details). Purpose is to examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and other compliance and enforcement inspection activities not classified elsewhere.

*except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation