The top 100 jobs for 2014
Whether your considering a new career or looking to affirm your career decisions, U.S. News & World Report has released their Top 100 Jobs list, noting that not all jobs are created equal, and it is true that some are better than others.
How exactly do they measure something as subjective as “top jobs” and pit your job against your neighbors? Their methodology is sophisticated, but it boils down to measuring employment opportunity, salary, job security, and a manageable work-life balance.
The report indicates that “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.”
For the first time ever, they have given the top spot to a technology job, and it’s not the only one in the top 10.
Software developers, you’re number one!
The first place position this year goes to software developers (think Tim Berners-Lee, Steve Wozniak, Mark Zuckerberg, and other famous geeks). Why is this the best job in America?
Growth for this industry should balloon; The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts there will be nearly 140,000 brand new positions created before 2022. We suspect it will be a much higher number when it is all said and done, especially in a world that is preparing all genders for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers.
The top 10
As you’ve already read, tech and health jobs dominate the top 10. That doesn’t mean your job sucks if you’re not part of either industry, it just means that these guys have pretty sweet work-life balances, salaries, job security, and opportunities.
- Software Developer
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Dentist
- Nurse Practitioner
- Pharmacist
- Registered Nurse
- Physical Therapist
- Physician
- Web Developer
- Dental Hygienist
Careers Editor Jada A. Graves explains the 100 best jobs for 2014 below:
