America's Top 50 Jobs

By KATE LORENZ, CAREERBUILDER.COM EDITOR

We looked at high-wage, high-growth occupations as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2006-2007 Occupational Outlook Handbook. Here are the top 50 jobs that are both growing faster than the average for total employment (13.0 percent) and have annual earnings above median of $28,770.

Though we'd all like to be earning a hefty paycheck, the reality is we're not all investment bankers, Oscar-worthy actors or CEOs. The truth is, we're all just regular people trying to make a living at the highest salary our skills, training and interests will allow.

We looked at high-wage, high-growth occupations as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2006-2007 Occupational Outlook Handbook. Here are the top 50 jobs that are both growing faster than the average for total employment (13.0 percent) and have annual earnings above median of $28,770.

1. Registered nurses: $52,330

2. Postsecondary teachers: $51,800

3. General and operations managers: $77,420

4. Elementary school teachers, except special education: $43,160

5. Accountants and auditors: $50,770

6. Business operation specialists, all other: $53,460

7. Computer software engineers, applications: $74,980

8. Maintenance and repair workers, general: $30,710

9. Carpenters: $34,900

10. Computer systems analysts: $66,460

11. Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education: $45,650

12. Computer software engineers, systems software: $79,740

13. Physicians and surgeons: $145,600

14. Network systems and data communications analysts: $60,600

15. Automotive service technicians and mechanics: $32,450

16. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $33,970

17. Management analysts: $63,450

18. Computer support specialists: $40,430

19. Lawyers: $94,930

20. Network and computer systems administrators: $58,190

21. Police and sheriff's patrol officers: $45,210

22. Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education: $43,670

23. Plumbers, pipe fitters and steamfitters: $41,290

24. Financial managers: $81,880

25. Computer and information systems managers: $92,570

26. Sales representatives, services, all other: $47,000

27. Firefighters: $38,330

28. Dental hygienists: $58,350

29. Paralegals and legal assistants: $39,130

30. Sales managers: $84,220

31. Chief executives: $140,350

32. Self-enrichment education teachers: $30,880

33. Physical therapists: $60,180

34. Pharmacists: $84,900

35. Medical and health services managers: $67,430

36. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products: $58,580

37. Employment, recruitment and placement specialists: $41,190

38. Property, real estate and community association managers: $39,980

39. Child, family and school social workers: $34,820

40. Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers: $36,260

41. Real estate sales agents: $35,670

42. Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten and elementary school: $43,570

43. Legal secretaries: $36,720

44. Training and development specialists: $44,570

45. First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers: $29,510

46. Administrative services managers: $60,290

47. Public relations specialists: $43,830

48. Radiologic technologists and technicians: $43,350

49. Sales and related workers, all other: $31,380

50. Personal financial advisors: $62,700

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Kate Lorenz is the article and advice editor for CareerBuilder.com. She's an expert in job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

Copyright 2006 Careerbuilder.com.