Healthcare Occupations: Eight out of the 20 fastest-growing occupations are in the healthcare field. Nurses and physicians' assistants are in high demand.

Education: Most jobs require less than four years of college education.

Scope: About 545,000 establishments make up the healthcare industry; 76 percent are offices of physicians, dentists or other health practitioners. Although hospitals constitute only two percent of all healthcare establishments, they employ 40 percent of all workers.

Healthcare jobs will account for about 19 percent (3.6 million) of the positions created in a 10-year period. Many of the fields projected to grow the fastest in the economy are concentrated in the healthcare industry. For example, total employment of home health aides -- including the self-employed -- is projected to increase by 56 percent; medical assistants by 52 percent; physician assistants by 50 percent; and physical therapist assistants by 44 percent.

Healthcare jobs are at an all-time high, and are projected to grow even more, to the tune of 30.3% through 2014. There's money to be made in healthcare jobs, with the most popular by far being registered nurses. Seekers of healthcare jobs are advised to pack their degrees, certifications and experience to win big.

• Healthcare Jobs Outlook