Fastest Growing Occupations, 2000-2010

US Occupations That Are On The Rise

(Figures are in thousands of jobs)

Occupation Employment Change Education and Training
2000 2010 Number Percent
Computer software engineers, applications

380

760

380

100

Bachelor's degree
Computer support specialists

506

996

490

97

Associate degree
Computer software engineers, systems software

317

601

284

90

Bachelor's degree
Network and computer systems administrators

229

416

187

82

Bachelor's degree
Network systems and data communications analysts

119

211

92

77

Bachelor's degree
Desktop publishers

38

63

25

67

Postsecondary vocational award
Database administrators

106

176

70

66

Bachelor's degree
Personal and home care aides

414

672

258

62

Short-term on-the-job training
Computer systems analysts

431

689

258

60

Bachelor's degree
Medical assistants

329

516

187

57

Moderate-term on-the-job training
Social and human service assistants

271

418

147

54

Moderate-term on-the-job training
Physician assistants

58

89

31

53

Bachelor's degree
Medical records and health information technicians

136

202

66

49

Associate degree
Computer and information systems managers

313

463

150

48

Bachelor's or higher degree, plus work experience
Home health aides

615

907

291

47

Short-term on-the-job training
Physical therapist aides

36

53

17

46

Short-term on-the-job training
Occupational therapist aides

9

12

4

45

Short-term on-the-job training
Physical therapist assistants

44

64

20

45

Associate degree
Audiologists

13

19

6

45

Master's degree
Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors

158

222

64

40

Postsecondary vocational award
Computer and information scientists, research

28

39

11

40

Doctoral degree
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

55

77

22

40

Short-term on-the-job training
Occupational therapist assistants

17

23

7

40

Associate degree
Veterinary technologists and technicians

49

69

19

39

Associate degree
Speech-language pathologists

88

122

34

39

Master's degree
Mental health and substance abuse social workers

83

116

33

39

Master's degree
Dental assistants

247

339

92

37

Moderate-term on-the-job training
Dental hygienists

147

201

54

37

Associate degree
Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school

234

320

86

37

Bachelor's degree
Pharmacy technicians

190

259

69

36

Moderate-term on-the-job training

Source: published in the November 2001 Monthly Labor Review through the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics