The 2016 job market is looking bright. Employers will continue to hire, especially in certain hot fields. Corporate recruiters are on the prowl, scouting perfectly matched job candidates for important positions. And overall job growth is expected to increase by 6.5 percent between 2014 and 2024, generating nearly 10 million new jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
But cashing in on this robust job market has its hurdles. And workers need the tools to understand the education, skills and specialties necessary to thrive in today’s professional landscape.
Enter the 2016 Best Jobs rankings, which highlight the professions with fantastic growth potential, great work-life balance, generous wages and low unemployment. To rank the best jobs, U.S. News analyzed BLS data, weighing statistics on job volume, median salary, stress level and other factors that matter most to consumers. Here are a few trends to look out for.
Health care. The majority of the 100 Best Jobs fall under the Health Care and Health Care Support categories. Health care “is a sector that is expected to grow in the near term — and over the longer term,” says Patrick O’Keefe, director of economic research at CohnReznick and former deputy assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Labor.
Doctors aren’t the only health care professionals riding the wave of increased demand. As baby boomers age, O’Keefe says, they’ll drive the need for semiskilled health care workers, such as home health aides, to assist with daily tasks and basic medical services.
Business. Nearly one-fifth of the top 100 jobs land in the Business category. This sector includes accountants, actuaries and HR specialists. And while some these professions may sound less than sexy, “every single company needs accountants,” says John Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, an outplacement firm.
Technology. When it comes to programming and other technology work, a bachelor’s degree may be the only education necessary to gain access to competitive salaries and enthusiastic hiring. “Those coming out of school, or with a couple years of experience, are in extraordinary demand,” O’Keefe says. Professions in this field include software developers, Web developers and information security analysts.
Here are the top 10 jobs of 2016:
1. Orthodontist
2. Dentist
3. Computer Systems Analyst
4. Nurse Anesthetist
5. Physician Assistant
6. Nurse Practitioner
7. Psychiatrist
8. Pediatrician
9. Anesthesiologist
10 (tie). Obstetrician and Gynecologist
10 (tie). Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
More from U.S. News
25 Hot Jobs That Pay More Than $100K
25 Amazing Health Care Support Jobs for 2016
Introducing the Best Jobs of 2016 originally appeared on usnews.com
