Projected Levels of Education in the Largest and Fastest Growing Occupations Through 2012

Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 Edition

By Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor

Table 1. Fastest growing occupations and occupations projected to have the largest numerical increases in employment between 2002 and 2012, by level of education or training

Education or training level	Fastest growing occupations	Occupations having the largest numerical job growth
First professional degree
	Pharmacists	Lawyers
	Veterinarians	Physicians and surgeons
	Chiropractors	Pharmacists
	Physicians and surgeons	Clergy
	Optometrists	Veterinarians
Doctoral degree
	Postsecondary teachers	Postsecondary teachers
	Computer and information scientists, research	Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists
	Medical scientists, except epidemiologists	Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
	Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists	Computer and information scientists, research
	Biochemists and biophysicists	Biochemists and biophysicists
Master’s degree
	Physical therapists	Physical therapists
	Mental health and substance abuse social workers	Rehabilitation counselors
	Rehabilitation counselors	Educational, vocational, and school counselors
	Survey researchers	Mental health and substance abuse social workers
	Epidemiologists	Market research analysts
Bachelor’s or higher degree, plus work experience
	Computer and information systems managers	General and operations managers
	Education administrators, preschool and childcare center/program	Management analysts
	Sales managers	Financial managers
	Management analysts	Sales managers
	Medical and health services managers	Computer and information systems managers
Bachelor’s degree
	Network systems and data communications analysts	Elementary school teachers, except special education
	Physician assistants	Accountants and auditors
	Computer software engineers, applications	Computer systems analysts
	Computer software engineers, systems software	Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education
	Database administrators	Computer software engineers, applications
Associate degree
	Medical records and health information technicians	Registered nurses
	Physical therapist assistants	Computer support specialists
	Veterinary technologists and technicians	Medical records and health information technicians
	Dental hygienists	Dental hygienists
	Occupational therapist assistants	Paralegals and legal assistants
Postsecondary vocational award
	Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors	Preschool teachers, except special education
	Preschool teachers, except special education	Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
	Respiratory therapy technicians	Automotive service technicians and mechanics
	Emergency medical technicians and paramedics	Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
	Security and fire alarm systems installers	Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors
Work experience in a related occupation
	Self-enrichment education teachers	First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers
	Emergency management specialists	First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers
	Private detectives and investigators	First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers
	First-line supervisors/managers of protective service workers, except police, fire, and corrections	First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers
	Detectives and criminal investigators	Self-enrichment education teachers
Long-term on-the-job training
	Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers	Electricians
	Audio and video equipment technicians	Police and sheriff’s patrol officers
	Tile and marble setters	Carpenters
	Police and sheriff’s patrol officers	Cooks, restaurant
	Electricians	Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
Moderate-term on-the-job training
	Medical assistants	Customer service representatives
	Social and human service assistants	Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer
	Hazardous materials removal workers	Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
	Dental assistants	Medical assistants
	Residential advisors	Maintenance and repair workers, general
Short-term on-the-job training
	Home health aides	Retail salespersons
	Physical therapist aides	Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food
	Occupational therapist aides	Cashiers, except gaming
	Personal and home care aides	Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners
	Security guards	Waiters and waitresses