Table 6. The 30 fastest-growing occupations, 2006-2016
Table 6. The 30 fastest-growing occupations, 2006-2016
(In thousands)
Most significant source of
Occupation Occupational group Employment Change postsecondary education
or training (1)
2006 2016 Number Percent
Network systems and data communications Professional and related
analysts .................................. occupations (2) .............. 262 402 140 53.4 Bachelor's degree
Personal and home care aides ............... Service occupations (3) ....... 767 1,156 389 50.6 Short-term on-the-job
training
Home health aides .......................... Service occupations (3) ....... 787 1,171 384 48.7 Short-term on-the-job
training
Computer software engineers, applications .. Professional and related
occupations (2) .............. 507 733 226 44.6 Bachelor's degree
Veterinary technologists and technicians ... Professional and related
occupations (2) .............. 71 100 29 41.0 Associate degree
Personal financial advisors ................ Management, business, and
financial occupations (4) .... 176 248 72 41.0 Bachelor's degree
Makeup artists, theatrical and performance . Service occupations (3) ....... 2 3 1 39.8 Postsecondary vocational
award
Medical assistants ......................... Service occupations (3) ....... 417 565 148 35.4 Moderate-term on-the-
job training
Veterinarians .............................. Professional and related
occupations (2) .............. 62 84 22 35.0 First professional degree
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder Professional and related
counselors ................................ occupations (2) .............. 83 112 29 34.3 Bachelor's degree
Skin care specialists ...................... Service occupations (3) ....... 38 51 13 34.3 Postsecondary vocational
award
Financial analysts ........................ Management, business, and
financial occupations (4) .... 221 295 75 33.8 Bachelor's degree
Social and human service assistants ....... Professional and related Moderate-term on-the-
occupations (2) .............. 339 453 114 33.6 job training
Gaming surveillance officers and gaming Moderate-term on-the-
investigators ............................ Service occupations (3) ....... 9 12 3 33.6 job training
Physical therapist assistants .............. Service occupations (3) ....... 60 80 20 32.4 Associate degree
Pharmacy technicians ....................... Professional and related Moderate-term on-the-
occupations (2) .............. 285 376 91 32.0 job training
Forensic science technicians ................ Professional and related
occupations (2) .............. 13 17 4 30.7 Bachelor's degree
Dental hygienists ........................... Professional and related
occupations (2) .............. 167 217 50 30.1 Associate degree
Mental health counselors .................... Professional and related
occupations (2) .............. 100 130 30 30.0 Master's degree
Mental health and substance abuse social Professional and related
workers .................................... occupations (2) ............. 122 159 37 29.9 Master's degree
Marriage and family therapists .............. Professional and related
occupations (2).............. 25 32 7 29.8 Master's degree
Dental assistants ........................... Service occupations (3) 280 362 82 29.2 Moderate-term on-the-
job training
Computer systems analysts ................... Professional and related
occupations (2) ............. 504 650 146 29.0 Bachelor's degree
Database administrators ..................... Professional and related
occupations (2) ............. 119 154 34 28.6 Bachelor's degree
Computer software engineers, systems Professional and relate
software ................................... occupations (2) ............. 350 449 99 28.2 Bachelor's degree
Gaming and sports book writers and runners .. Service occupations (3) 18 24 5 28.0 Short-term on-the-job
training
Environmental science and protection Professional and related
technicians, including health .............. occupations (2) ............. 36 47 10 28.0 Associate degree
Manicurists and pedicurists ................. Service occupations (3) 78 100 22 27.6 Postsecondary vocational
award
Physical therapists ......................... Professional and related
occupations (2) ............ 173 220 47 27.1 Master's degree
Physician assistants ........................ Professional and related
occupations (2) ........ 66 83 18 27.0 Master's degree
1 An occupation is placed into 1 of 11 categories that best describes the postsecondary education or training needed by most workers to
become fully qualified in that occupation. For more information about the categories, see Occupational Projections and Training Data,
2006-07 edition,Bulletin 2602 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, February 2006) and Occupational Projections and Training Data, 2008-09 edition,
Bulletin 2702 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, forthcoming).
2 Major occupational groups 15-0000 through 29-0000 in the 2000 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC).
3 Major occupational groups 31-0000 through 39-0000 in the 2000 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC).
4 Major occupational groups 11-0000 through 13-0000 in the 2000 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC).
Last Modified Date: December 04, 2007
