The 100 Best Jobs
All jobs aren’t created equal. In fact, some are simply better than the rest. U.S. News 100 Best Jobs of 2014 offer a mosaic of employment opportunity, good salary, manageable work-life balance and job security. Some careers offer just the right mix of these components – for instance, nearly 40 percent of our picks are health care jobs – but the list also includes strong showings from occupations in the social services and business sectors. And for the first time, our No. 1 pick is a technology job. Read more on how we rank the best jobs, and check out our complete list.
#1
Software Developer
(8.4 out of 10)
These professionals are the brains behind your Candy Crush obsession and Android phone dependency. They might be applications developers, who design computer software, databases and games, or they could be systems-focused developers, who are responsible for building operating systems. Growth for both types of IT professionals should balloon: The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts there will be nearly 140,000 brand new positions created before 2022.
#2
Computer Systems Analyst
(8.2 out of 10)
To excel in this job, you need to be both goal-focused and process-oriented. Computer systems analysts must understand computer hardware, software and networks and how they work together, so they can make recommendations to organizations for the best operations systems to use. The BLS predicts 24.5 percent employment growth for this job by 2022.
#3
Dentist
(8.2 out of 10)
As Dr. Seuss once wrote, “Teeth are always in style.” Dentists surely think so. They make their living diagnosing and treating our teeth and gums, and counseling us on how to maintain good oral health. This profession is expected to add 23,300 new jobs up to the year 2022.
#4
Nurse Practitioner
(8.1 out of 10)
It’s a nurse practitioner’s array of capabilities, coupled with the fact they can work independently of physicians when treating patients, that makes our No. 2 Health Care Job an attractive career choice. The BLS predicts 37,100 new positions for these professionals between 2012 and 2022.
#5
Pharmacist
(8.1 out of 10)
Pharmacists mix technical, organizational and people skills in a customer service environment. Each day, more than 281,560 pharmacists dispense medicine and advice to patients at hospitals and retail chains. The profession is expected to grow 14.5 percent by 2022.
#6
Registered Nurse
(8.0 out of 10)
Nursing is an indispensable profession in health care; one where workers are almost always needed. This year is no different, as the BLS anticipates 19.4 percent employment growth in this field between 2012 and 2022.
#7
Physical Therapist
(7.9 out of 10)
A physical therapist’s job description might include helping a paralytic regain mobility or a cancer survivor renew his or her strength. The profession is expected to grow 36 percent by 2022.
#8
Physician
(7.8 out of 10)
Physicians are at the top of the health care food chain – it’s their responsibility to diagnose and treat patients, and instruct on proper diet, hygiene and disease prevention. Like other jobs in this industry, physicians will see abundant job growth. The BLS forecasts 123,300 new job openings for physicians from 2012 to 2022.
#9
Web Developer
(7.8 out of 10)
Web developers are responsible for the sleek fonts and clean layout you love on your favorite websites. The BLS considers this one of the fastest-growing jobs this decade and predicts employment should swell at a rate of about 20 percent by 2022.
#10
Dental Hygienist
(7.7 out of 10)
In addition to cleaning teeth, dental hygienists educate patients on proper oral hygiene. Something else of note: They make yearly salaries of about $70,700, although most work part time. Expect 33.3 percent employment growth for this field from 2012 to 2022.
#11
Information Security Analyst
(7.6 out of 10)
If you’ve watched the news this year, then you probably have a good idea how important this IT professional is to companies and the government – as analysts plan and monitor security of computer networks. You probably also aren’t surprised by how much this occupation will grow: 36.5 percent by the year 2022.
#12
Database Administrator
(7.6 out of 10)
This fast-growing profession involves setting up databases to fit a company’s need, then maintaining those database’s operations. The BLS predicts this field will add 17,900 new positions by 2022.
#13
Physician Assistant
(7.6 out of 10)
Working under the supervision of doctors, physician assistants interpret X-rays and blood tests, record patients’ progress, conduct routine exams and treat a range of ailments. When you couple growth projections for 33,300 new jobs with a razor-thin 1.2 percent unemployment rate – one of the lowest on our Best Jobs list overall – the job outlook for physician assistants is quite strong.
#14
Occupational Therapist
(7.5 out of 10)
Not all therapy involves evaluating clients reclining on Barcaloungers. Occupational therapists, for instance, help patients with physical, mental and developmental disabilities to assimilate in society. Its one of the occupations that’s especially on the rise, with 29 percent employment growth expected between 2012 and 2022.
#15
Market Research Analyst
(7.4 out of 10)
Market research analysts study our habits as consumers and use those observations to counsel companies on how to package, brand and sell products. The BLS predicts an impressive 31.6 percent employment increase for this occupation between 2012 and 2022.
#16
Phlebotomist
(7.3 out of 10)
Anyone who chooses this field has to be comfortable with blood, needles, databases, test tubes and blood vials. Top-notch people skills don’t hurt, either. The BLS forecasts growth of 27,100 new positions for this occupation between 2012 and 2022.
#17
Physical Therapist Assistant
(7.3 out of 10)
There’s a slightly lower education bar to enter this occupation than to become a physical therapist, but assistants do many of the same tasks, including monitoring therapeutic exercises, observing progress in a treatment plan and offering proper education for patients post treatment. Physical therapist assistants fell slightly from No. 15 to No. 17 this year, but this occupation is growing at break-neck speed: 41 percent between 2012 and 2022.
#18
Civil Engineer
(7.3 out of 10)
Part of the payoff to this job is looking around and seeing the fruits of your skill and labor. Civil engineers have a hand in building bridges, retrofitting buildings and damming reservoirs. By 2022, there should be 53,700 new openings for civil engineers.
#19
Mechanical Engineer
(7.2 out of 10)
This job is a perfect blend of right- and left-brain thinking: Mechanical engineers shepherd devices from the theoretical design phase to the technical production phase. The profession makes our list for its low unemployment rate of 3.1 percent and comfortable median salary of $80,580.
#20
Veterinarian
(7.2 out of 10)
They’re basically animal doctors, but they’re so much more: They protect food supply by inspecting livestock, they promote public health by fighting animal-borne diseases and they help educate people on how to have a healthy relationship with animals. Given the advancements in this field, expect a 12 percent employment jump between 2012 and 2022.
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