When looking for one of the best jobs of the future, two considerations will be crucial: what jobs are well-paying, and what jobs will expand dramatically in the next decade?
Jobs in healthcare and tech tend to tick both boxes.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released its biennial projections for job growth across hundreds of occupations between 2016 and 2026.
We took those projections and combined them with BLS estimates of the 2016 median annual earnings of those jobs – using the geometric mean of the two numbers – to come up with a ranking of the best jobs of the next decade.
To focus on good, high-paying jobs, we restricted our list to those with salaries higher than the 2016 median annual wage of $37,040.
Read on to learn about the best jobs of the future, including the typical level of education required and what people do on a daily basis, according to O*NET descriptions of the jobs.
21. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
They plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments.
Projected new positions by 2026: 68,700
Median annual earnings in 2016: $66,360
Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
20. Computer systems analysts
They analyze data processing problems to develop and improve computer systems.
Projected new positions by 2026: 53,000
Median annual earnings in 2016: $87,220
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
19. Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, except technical and scientific products
They sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals.
Projected new positions by 2026: 81,100
Median annual earnings in 2016: $57,140
Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
18. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers
They transport goods from one location to another.
Projected new positions by 2026: 113,800
Median annual earnings in 2016: $41,340
Typical educational requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
17. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
They directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.
Projected new positions by 2026: 76,300
Median annual earnings in 2016: $62,980
Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
16. Software systems developers
They develop operating systems, compilers, and network software.
Projected new positions by 2026: 46,100
Median annual earnings in 2016: $106,860
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
15. Physical therapists
They help patients recover from illnesses and injuries.
Projected new positions by 2026: 60,000
Median annual earnings in 2016: $85,400
Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
14. Nurse practitioners
They treat and diagnose patients' illnesses.
Projected new positions by 2026: 56,000
Median annual earnings in 2016: $100,910
Typical educational requirements: Master's degree
13. Elementary school teachers, except special education
They teach young children basic skills in schools.
Projected new positions by 2026: 104,100
Median annual earnings in 2016: $55,800
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
12. Computer and information systems managers
They plan, direct, and coordinate computer systems.
Projected new positions by 2026: 43,800
Median annual earnings in 2016: $135,800
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
11. Postsecondary health specialties teachers
They teach courses in health specialties, in fields like dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.
Projected new positions by 2026: 60,500
Median annual earnings in 2016: $99,360
Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
10. Medical and health services managers
They plan, direct, or coordinate health services.
Projected new positions by 2026: 69,800
Median annual earnings in 2016: $96,540
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
9. Management analysts
They conduct research and develop procedures to allow organizations to run more efficiently.
Projected new positions by 2026: 96,500
Median annual earnings in 2016: $81,330
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
8. Market research analysts and marketing specialists
They research market conditions and create marketing campaigns.
Projected new positions by 2026: 136,000
Median annual earnings in 2016: $62,560
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
7. Lawyers
They represent clients in legal situations.
Projected new positions by 2026: 74,800
Median annual earnings in 2016: $118,160
Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
6. Accountants and auditors
They examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records.
Projected new positions by 2026: 140,300
Median annual earnings in 2016: $68,150
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
5. Specialist physicians and surgeons
They treat patients in a variety of specialized fields.
Projected new positions by 2026: 49,600
Median annual earnings in 2016: $206,920
Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
4. Financial managers
They direct financial activities at organizations.
Projected new positions by 2026: 108,400
Median annual earnings in 2016: $121,750
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
3. General and operations managers
They plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of organizations.
Projected new positions by 2026: 205,900
Median annual earnings in 2016: $99,310
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
2. Software applications Happy programmers womendevelopers
They develop front-end user-oriented computer applications and programs.
Projected new positions by 2026: 253,400
Median annual earnings in 2016: $100,080
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
1. Registered nurses
They assess patient health needs and care for patients
Projected new positions by 2026: 437,000
Median annual earnings in 2016: $68,450
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree