The best jobs of the year
What do an orthodontist, accountant and nurse practitioner have in common? They’re all great jobs. And while selecting a career is a personal decision, high-quality jobs typically share certain characteristics, including high wages, low unemployment and good work-life balance. U.S. News’ list of the 100 best jobs highlights the professions that have those traits in common. Click on to explore the best jobs of 2016.
25. Occupational Therapy Assistant
Median Salary: $56,950
Unemployment Rate: 1.2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 14,100
Patients may require occupational therapy to manage a lifelong medical condition or the effects of a stroke, accident or other physical trauma. OTAs help these patients live as independently as possible, teaching them to perform daily tasks, such as brushing their teeth and getting dressed. To enter the field, OTAs need to earn an associate degree, which typically takes about two years.
Learn more about occupational therapy assistants.
24. Accountant
Median Salary: $65,940
Unemployment Rate: 3.2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 142,400
Accountants inspect financial records and may work for government agencies, private corporations, nonprofits or individual clients. While an associate degree is available for accounting, employers may prefer a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Learn more about accountants.
23. Occupational Therapist
Median Salary: $78,810
Unemployment Rate: 1.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 30,400
OTs help patients build or restore their ability to perform daily tasks and work toward certain goals. Licensed OTs typically need to earn a master’s degree, pass board examinations and complete a fieldwork requirement.
Learn more about occupational therapists.
22. Registered Nurse
Median Salary: $66,640
Unemployment Rate: 2.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 439,300
Registered nurses monitor a patient’s condition, perform medical procedures and administer medicine. Entry-level RN positions are available with an associate degree, but a bachelor’s degree is becoming the industry standard.
Learn more about registered nurses.
21. Cartographer
Median Salary: $60,930
Unemployment Rate: 3 percent
Expected Job Openings: 3,600
Cartographers specialize in drawing maps, which have seen reinvention in an environment where millions of people look at GPS-enabled maps on cellphones and interactive maps online. Cartographers typically must earn a bachelor’s degree in cartography or a related field.
Learn more about cartographers.
20. Web Developer
Median Salary: $63,490
Unemployment Rate: 3.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 39,500
Web developers build websites, working with software applications or writing code to get the job done. Employers typically prefer a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field. Specialized certifications may also demonstrate expertise in a certain area.
Learn more about Web developers.
19. Physician
Median Salary: >$187,199
Unemployment Rate: 0.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 5,100
Physicians manage patients for a variety of medical issues, doing everything from diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses to prescribing medicine. Becoming a physician is no easy path. Aspiring physicians need to attend medical school and complete advanced training requirements.
Learn more about physicians.
18. Operations Research Analyst
Median Salary: $76,660
Unemployment Rate: 3.8 percent
Expected Job Openings: 27,600
Workers in this business-related field dive into raw data and mathematical equations to help businesses make educated decisions. A bachelor’s degree in math, business or industrial engineering can open the door for entry-level workers. Some employers may favor master’s degree recipients.
Learn more about operations research analysts.
17. Statistician
Median Salary: $79,990
Unemployment Rate: 4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 10,100
The highest-ranked business profession on this year’s list requires mathematical prowess and a passion for numbers. Statisticians use data to make decisions. A bachelor’s degree should open doors, but a master’s degree or Ph.D. may open more.
Learn more about statisticians.
16. Surgeon
Median Salary: >$187,199
Unemployment Rate: 0.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 9,100
Scalpel, please. Surgeons operate on patients to help treat diseases, injuries and other issues. To enter the field, medical school and specialized training are a must.
Learn more about surgeons.
15. Podiatrist
Median Salary: $120,700
Unemployment Rate: 2.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 1,400
These medical professionals diagnose and treat problems in the feet and ankles. Podiatric medical school and advanced training are required to enter this field.
Learn more about podiatrists.
14. Physical Therapist
Median Salary: $82,390
Unemployment Rate: 1.2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 71,800
PTs help patients battling physical issues or injuries regain movement and manage pain. To enter the field, hopefuls must typically complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, as well as residency and licensing requirements.
Learn more about physical therapists.
13. Software Developer
Median Salary: $95,510
Unemployment Rate: 2.5 percent
Expected Job Openings: 135,300
Software developers design computer programs, often flexing their creative muscles and technical know-how. A bachelor’s degree in computer science is typical — but not required — as are strong programming skills.
Learn more about software developers.
12. Optometrist
Median Salary: $101,410
Unemployment Rate: 0.7 percent
Expected Job Openings: 11,000
These medical professionals specialize in eye care and prescribe contact lenses or glasses. Optometrists must complete a Doctor of Optometry program, licensing exams and other requirements.
Learn more about optometrists.
10 (tie). Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Median Salary: >$187,199
Unemployment Rate: 0.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 4,300
OB-GYNs specialize in women’s reproductive health, managing everything from contraception to childbirth. Like other medical fields, the road to becoming an OB-GYN is paved with medical school, licensing examinations and residency requirements.
Learn more about obstetricians and gynecologists.
10 (tie). Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Median Salary: >$187,199
Unemployment Rate: 0.2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 1,200
These medical professionals perform surgeries on the face, mouth and jaw. Dental school and specialized training are among the requirements for this field.
Learn more about oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
9. Anesthesiologist
Median Salary: >$187,199
Unemployment Rate: 0.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 7,100
These medical specialists administer anesthesia to numb pain during invasive procedures. Among the hurdles: Anesthesiologists must complete medical school and other specialized training.
Learn more about anesthesiologists.
8. Pediatrician
Median Salary: $163,350
Unemployment Rate: 0.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 3,600
Pediatricians are the doctors who diagnose and treat babies, children and young adults. Like other medical professionals, pediatricians must finish medical school, residency and other training.
Learn more about pediatricians.
7. Psychiatrist
Median Salary: $181,880
Unemployment Rate: 1.8 percent
Expected Job Openings: 4,200
These health professionals specialize in diagnosing and treating issues related to the mind and mental health. Becoming a psychiatrist requires a medical school degree and additional specialized training.
Learn more about psychiatrists.
6. Nurse Practitioner
Median Salary: $95,350
Unemployment Rate: 1.3 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. To enter the field, hopefuls must earn specialized credentials on top of their nursing degree.
Learn more about nurse practitioners.
5. Physician Assistant
Median Salary: $95,820
Unemployment Rate: 0.2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 28,700
PAs coordinate with physicians and other health care workers to treat patients. They typically need to complete a master’s degree, clinical training and other requirements.
Learn more about physician assistants.
4. Nurse Anesthetist
Median Salary: $153,780
Unemployment Rate: 1.3 percent
Expected Job Openings: 7,400
These registered nurses specialize in anesthesiology, administering drugs to minimize the pain of procedures. These health professionals undergo training on top of their nursing degree to specialize in this area.
Learn more about nurse anesthetists.
3. Computer Systems Analyst
Median Salary: $82,710
Unemployment Rate: 2.6 percent
Expected Job Openings: 118,600
These experts help companies evaluate and improve their computer systems. A bachelor’s degree in information sciences can help hopefuls get started in this field.
Learn more about computer systems analysts.
2. Dentist
Median Salary: $149,530
Unemployment Rate: 0.2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 23,300
Open wide. The No. 2 ranked job for 2016 is dentist. These professionals diagnose and treat issues of the teeth and gums and must graduate from dental school.
Learn more about dentists.
1. Orthodontist
Median Salary: >$187,199
Unemployment Rate: 0.2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 1,500
Anyone with a mouth full of braces can tell you about orthodontists. Professionals in this No. 1 ranked job straighten teeth and align bites. Among other requirements, orthodontists must attend dental school and receive specialized training.
Learn more about orthodontists.
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The 25 Best Jobs of 2016 originally appeared on usnews.com
