26 careers with the most job security

Dodge unemployment with these careers.

Talk about job security. Some fantastic careers offer rock-bottom unemployment rates and robust job growth. In fact, 26 jobs among U.S. News 2017 Best Jobs rankings reported 2015 unemployment rates of 1 percent or lower and are set to experience generous job growth between 2014 and 2024. If you want to dodge unemployment in your future career, click forward for the 26 best jobs for job security.

**26. Database Administrator** **Median Salary:** $81,710
**Unemployment Rate:** 1 percent
**Expected Job Openings:** 13,400 DBAs set up databases according to a company’s needs and ensure that they operate efficiently and securely. *Learn more about database administrators.* (Thinkstock)

25. Patrol Officer Median Salary: $58,320
Unemployment Rate: 1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 34,200 Patrol officers protect people and their property by monitoring local areas, writing reports and responding to incidents. Learn more about patrol officers. (Thinkstock)

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Woman's hand is pointing out the complicated math calculations. Math formulas are written on the glass screen. — **24. Mathematician** **Median Salary:** $111,110
**Unemployment rate:** 0.8 percent
**Expected Job Openings:** 700 Mathematicians crunch numbers and analyze outcomes while working in a range of math-related jobs, including teaching and research. *Learn more about mathematicians.* (Thinkstock)

Top view of professional investment advisor woman consulting about financial plan with business management. — **23. Actuary** **Median Salary:** $97,070
**Unemployment Rate:** 0.8 percent
**Expected Job Openings:** 4,400 These numbers experts measure and analyze the financial consequences of risk. *Learn more about actuaries.* (Thinkstock)

22. Environmental Engineer Median Salary: $84,560
Unemployment Rate: 0.8 percent
Expected Job Openings: 6,800 These engineers use their training to solve environmental problems, including issues with recycling, waste disposal and pollution. Learn more about environmental engineers. (Thinkstock)

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Physiotherapist giving back massage to a patient in clinic — **21. Chiropractor** **Median Salary:** $64,440
**Unemployment Rate:** 0.8 percent
**Expected Job Openings:** 7,900 These health care workers treat patients with problems relating to their musculoskeletal systems, including bones, ligaments, muscles, nerves and tendons. *Learn more about chiropractors.* (Thinkstock)

There are plenty of ways parents can help children develop better study skills and become a much more effective student, both at home and in class. (Thinkstock) — **20. Statistician** **Median Salary:** $80,110
**Unemployment Rate:** 0.8 percent
**Expected Job Openings:** 10,100 Statisticians work with businesses, health care organizations, engineering firms and other collaborators, using data to make decisions. *Learn more about statisticians.* (Thinkstock)

19. Nurse Midwife Median Salary: $92,510
Unemployment Rate: 0.7 percent
Expected Job Openings: 1,300 These trained medical specialists diagnose and coordinate the birthing process for their patients. They may also provide gynecological checkups for clients. Learn more about nurse midwives. (Thinkstock)

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18. Nurse Anesthetist Median Salary: $157,140
Unemployment Rate: 0.7 percent
Expected Job Openings: 7,400 These registered nurses specialize in anesthesiology, administering drugs to minimize the pain of procedures. Learn more about nurse anesthetists. (Thinkstock)

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**17. Nurse Practitioner** **Median Salary**: $98,190
**Unemployment Rate:** 0.7 percent
**Expected Job Openings:** 44,700 Nurse practitioners treat patients for a variety of issues and ailments and may be able to work independently from a physician. *Learn more about nurse practitioners.* (Thinkstock)

In this Friday, Jan. 22, 2016 photo, Dr. Juan Fernando Yepes, a dentist at the Riley Hospital for Children Department of Pediatric Dentistry, checks the teeth of Justin Perez, 11, during an office visit in Indianapolis. Dentistry sits atop U.S. News and World Report's annual Best Jobs list. Health care fields dominate the list. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) — **16. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon** **Median Salary:** >$187,199
**Unemployment Rate:** 0.6 percent
**Expected Job Openings:** 1,200 These medical professionals perform surgeries on the face, mouth and jaw. *Learn more about oral and maxillofacial surgeons.* (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

The gut microbiome is an active area of research, but it's too early to know what effect these bacteria could have on the development of colorectal cancer. (Thinkstock) — **15. Occupational Therapy Aide** **Median Salary:** $27,800
**Unemployment Rate:** 0.6 percent
**Expected Job Openings:** 2,700 These aides typically assist occupational therapists by performing administrative duties, cleaning or other tasks. *Learn more about occupational therapy aides.* (Thinkstock)

Don't get flustered if everything doesn't go as planned because you or the doctor are delayed getting to the appointment.

"Health care is a little bit like a collage - it takes time to build great health care and a great health care relationship," Taylor observed. "So [if] you can't get it all done in one visit or in one day -- schedule the next visit and then keep building." (Thinkstock) — **14. Pediatrician** **Median Salary:** $170,300
**Unemployment Rate:** 0.6 percent
**Expected Job Openings:** 3,600 Pediatricians are the doctors who diagnose and treat babies, children and young adults. *Learn more about pediatricians.* (Thinkstock)

close up of doctor and woman meeting at hospital — **13. Obstetrician and Gynecologist** **Median Salary:** >$187,199
**Unemployment Rate:** 0.6 percent
**Expected Job Openings:** 4,300 OB-GYNs specialize in women’s reproductive health, managing everything from contraception to childbirth. *Learn more about obstetricians and gynecologists.* (Thinkstock)

Cape Town, South Africa — **12. Marriage and Family Therapist** **Median Salary:** $48,600
**Unemployment Rate:** 0.6 percent
**Expected Job Openings:** 5,000 These professionals diagnose and treat mental and emotional conditions related to marital and family relationships. *Learn more about marriage and family therapists.* (Thinkstock)

Mumps, a contagious viral disease, which is spread through direct contact with the saliva or mucus of other infected people, is no longer considered common in the U.S., according to the CDC, but outbreaks still happen. (Thinkstock) — **11. Physician** **Median Salary:** >$187,199
**Unemployment rate:** 0.6 percent
**Expected Job Openings:** 5,100 These highly trained professionals diagnose, treat and monitor a variety of health conditions. *Learn more about physicians.* (Thinkstock)

surgeons doctors — **10. Surgeon** **Median Salary:** >$187,199
**Unemployment Rate:** 0.6 percent
**Expected Job Openings:** 9,100 Scalpel, please. Surgeons operate on patients to help treat diseases, injuries and other issues. *Learn more about surgeons.* (Thinkstock)

**9. Computer Network Architect** **Median Salary:** $100,240
**Unemployment Rate:** 0.6 percent
**Expected Job Openings:** 12,700 These technology professionals build, design and maintain data communication networks, including local area networks, called LANs, wide area networks, called WANs, and intranets. *Learn more about computer network architects.* (Thinkstock)

7. Respiratory Therapist Median Salary: $57,790
Unemployment Rate: 0.6 percent
Expected Job Openings: 14,900 These medical professionals provide care and treatment for patients with heart and lung problems, including those with asthma, chronic bronchitis and sleep apnea. Learn more about respiratory therapists. (Thinkstock)

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6. Physician Assistant Median Salary: $98,180
Unemployment Rate: 0.6 percent
Expected Job Openings: 28,700 PAs coordinate with physicians and other health care workers to treat patients. Learn more about physician assistants. (Thinkstock)

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5. Veterinarian Median Salary: $88,490
Unemployment Rate: 0.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 6,900 These animal health experts diagnose, research and treat medical conditions related to pets, livestock and other animals. Learn more about veterinarians. (Thinkstock)

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**4. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer** **Median Salary:** $68,970
**Unemployment Rate:** 0.4 percent
**Expected Job Openings:** 16,000 These health care specialists use sonography equipment to capture images for a number of medical purposes, from finding out the gender of a baby to imaging tumors. *Learn more about diagnostic medical sonographers.* (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

3. Prosthodontist Median Salary: $119,740
Unemployment rate: 0.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 100 Prosthodontists specialize in restoring and replacing teeth to improve function and appearance. Learn more about prosthodontists. (Thinkstock)

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2. Orthodontist Median Salary: >$187,199
Unemployment Rate: 0.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 1,500 Anyone with a mouth full of braces can tell you about orthodontists. These professionals straighten teeth and align bites. Learn more about orthodontists. (Thinkstock)

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