Top 50 BEST JOBS IN AMERICA 2009

Top 50 BEST JOBS IN AMERICA 2009

The Top 50 - Best Jobs in America Top 10: Highest-paying careers Top 10: Fastest-growing fields TOP 5 JOBS IF YOU JUST NEED A CHANGE TOP 5 JOBS IF YOU GIVING UP PLAYDATES TOP 5 JOBS IF YOU'RE HANGING UP THE UNIFORM TOP AMERICAN SIX FIGURE JOBS TOP 5 JOBS IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A SECOND ACT TOP 10 detailed industries with the largest wage and salary employment growth, for 10 years TOP 8 JOBS in United States 2008 TOP 10 Dream Career Top 8 Careers to Help Lower Your Stress Meter Highest Paying Majors in College ; 5 Jobs with Surprisingly High Salaries ; 10 Hot Jobs That Start at $50K+ 10 Best Jobs Requiring Two-Year Degrees Fast-Growing Careers With High Salaries Top 5 High-paying service jobs U.S. master's degree graduates of the 10 highest paid professional U.S. PHD degree graduates of the 8 highest paid professional Six Flexible Careers That Pay $70k The Best Jobs In America The Quickest Route to a Six-Figure Job Dirty Jobs That Pay Well Top 10 Jobs for 2010 10 Best and Worst Jobs for 2010 20 Worst-Paying College Degrees in 2010 The Best Jobs of 2012

Top 50 BEST JOBS IN AMERICA 2009

Systems Engineer
Sector: Information Technology
What they do: They're the "big think" managers on large, complex projects, from major transportation networks to military defense programs. They figure out the technical specifications required and coordinate the efforts of lower-level engineers working on specific aspects of the project.

Why it's great: Demand is soaring for systems engineers, as what was once a niche job in the aerospace and defense industries becomes commonplace among a diverse and expanding universe of employers, from medical device makers to corporations like Xerox and BMW.

Pay can easily hit six figures for top performers, and there's ample opportunity for advancement. But many systems engineers say they most enjoy the creative aspects of the job and seeing projects come to life.

Drawbacks: Long hours are common; project deadlines can be fierce.

Pre-reqs: An undergrad engineering degree; some jobs might also require certification as a certified systems engineering professional (CSEP).
Physician Assistant
Sector: Healthcare
What they do: Call it MD lite. Working under the supervision of a doctor, PAs do all tasks involved in routine medical care, such as diagnosing illnesses and assisting in surgery. In most states they can write prescriptions as well.

Why it's great: You get the satisfaction of treating patients minus insurance hassles, since PAs have far less administrative responsibility than the typical MD.

You don't have to take on the time or expense of med school and the field is virtually recession-proof, owing to an ongoing shortage of primary-care physicians. PAs are also far cheaper to employ than MDs, so demand is expected to steadily increase as medical facilities try to rein in costs. And since they don't need as much specialized training as doctors, PAs can switch from, say, geriatrics to emergency care with relative ease.

Drawbacks: It's a fairly new profession, so the number of annual job openings is still small.

Pre-reqs: A master's degree; 100 hours of training every two years; recertification every six.
College Professor
Sector: Education
What they do: Teach and grade papers, of course. But profs also spend about half their time doing research and writing articles and books about their field.

Competition for tenure-track positions at four-year institutions is intense, but you'll find lots of available positions at community colleges and professional programs, where you can enter the professoriate as an adjunct faculty member or non-tenure track instructor without a doctorate degree. That's particularly true during economic downturns, when laid-off workers often head back to school for additional training.

More valuable perks: reduced or free tuition for family members and free access to college gyms and libraries.

Drawbacks: Low starting pay and a big 50% salary gap between faculty at universities and community colleges. If the position is at a four-year university, you'll probably have to relocate, and you'll be under pressure to constantly publish new work to sustain career momentum.

How to get it: For a tenure track position, you'll need a Ph.D. But all colleges want at least a master's degree and prefer plenty of teaching experience.
Nurse Practitioner
Sector: Healthcare
What they do: In addition to performing routine caretaking tasks, nurse practitioners have the advanced medical training to diagnose and treat a wide range of ailments. They can also prescribe medication without consulting an MD.

Why it's great: Thanks to the growth of retail health clinics and the shortage of primary-care doctors, opportunities abound for nurse practitioners in settings from hospitals and urgent-care centers to private practice. They can specialize in fields such as women's health or oncology. Experienced nurse practitioners looking for a change of pace can shift to teaching or medical research.

Nurse practitioners are also specifically trained in patient teaching; disease prevention is typically a large part of their practice.

Drawbacks: Constant insurance headaches. Education requirements are ratcheting up.

Pre-reqs: Must first complete training to get license as a registered nurse; master's degree, plus certification. A doctor of nursing practice degree is increasingly in demand, which requires about three additional years of study.
Information Technology Project Manager
Sector: Information Technology
What they do: Keep big tech projects like software upgrades running on time--and on budget.

Why it's great: Lots of opportunity. Just about all companies need techsavvy people who are great managers, Figuring out how to implement cutting-edge technologies keeps the job challenging.

Good upward mobility: IT project managers can rise to chief technology officer of a company, where the salaries can hit $300,000.

Do you prefer to work for yourself? The field offers plenty of consulting work.

Drawbacks: Hours (and hours and hours) of meetings. Aggressive project timelines. Staff jobs can be outsourced to consultants.

Pre-reqs: Five to seven years of technology and computer-related experience. A project management professional certification, along with an MBA, will enhance career prospects.
Certified Public Accountant
Sector: Financial
What they do: Crunch the numbers, whether it's for financial analysis or tax preparation.

Why it's great: Businesses began stocking the payroll with CPAs after major accounting scandals earlier this decade, and a host of new corporate accounting rules going into effect soon should ratchet up demand further.

Government agencies are also hiring CPAs, to monitor how well companies are complying with the new regs. Add inevitable changes to personal income tax rules and you have a pretty recession-proof profession.

Drawbacks: Deadlines are nonnegotiable; if you're in tax preparation, kiss your personal life goodbye between mid-February and April 15.

Pre-reqs: A certification exam and, typically, 150 hours of business and accounting classes and work experience. Do CPAs have great jobs, or what?
Physical Therapist
Sector: Healthcare
What they do: Restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion to people who have been sidelined by injury, illness, or disease.

Why it's great: Unlike many health-care professionals, physical therapists generally see great progress in their patients. there's no overnight or shift work.

Drawbacks: The impact of health reform on the profession is a wild card. Can be physically demanding.

Pre-reqs: A master's degree, plus certification and state licensing. Many employers prefer a doctor of physical therapy degree.
Computer/Network Security Consultant
Sector: Information Technology
What they do: Protect computer systems and networks against hackers, spyware, and viruses.

Why it's great: No company or government agency can afford to have a serious breach in the security of its computer system. New technologies and an unending supply of creative hackers around the world keep the field challenging. Consultants can often work from home. And top-level pros command big paychecks.

Drawbacks: Talk about stress. If a system is infiltrated by a virus or hacker, it could mean lights out for the security consultant's career.

Pre-reqs: Mostly major geekdom, since the skills can be self-taught. Still, a computer science degree comes in handy. An information systems security professional certification (CISSP) is increasingly favored. Experience is key for better-paying positions: Most companies won't hire a consultant with less than five years of experience.
Intelligence Analyst
Sector: Government
What they do: Gather and analyze data related to international policy and military strategy, most often for the government or defense contractors.

Why it's great: Like adventure? Data might be collected from satellite images, wiretaps, Internet chatter, and military and spy reports.

Drawbacks: High stress; you often can't talk about your job outside of work.

Pre-reqs: Security clearance, of course. Foreign languages and often military experience are a huge plus.
Sales Director
Sector: Sales and Marketing
What they do: Set and meet sales goals, generate new accounts, and mentor and train new recruits.

Why it's great: A successful sales director--especially one who can weather an economic downturn-- will always be sought after.

Drawbacks: Sales down? You're vulnerable to getting the ax. Commission-based pay can fluctuate dramatically. Expect to be on the road about 50% of the time.

Pre-reqs: 10 years of sales experience and a year or two in management. A proven track record beats an advanced degree.
Anesthesiologist
Sector: Healthcare
What they do: Anesthesiologists are medical doctors who administer anesthetics during surgery or other medical procedures.
Software Developer
Sector: Information Technology
What they do: Software Developers write and debug software for use in computer applications, websites, and other data processing systems.
Pharmacist
Sector: Healthcare
What they do: Pharmacists dispense medications following prescriptions issued by doctors, dentists, or other authorized medical practitioners. In addition, they educate patients on medication use, storage and side effects, as well as help patients to prevent dangerous or harmful drug interactions.
Occupational Therapist
Nurse Anesthetist
Software Product Manager
Business Analyst, IT
Attorney/Lawyer
Physician/General Practice
Human Resources Manager
Senior Financial Analyst
Physician/Obstetrician/Gynecologist
Clinical Psychologist
Psychiatrist
Veterinarian
Marketing Manager
Speech-Language Pathologist
Technical Writer
Finance Director
Telecommunications Network Engineer
Director of Communications
Hotel General Manager
Securities Trader
Account Executive
Education/Training Consultant
Corporate Paralegal
Quality Control Engineer
Manufacturing Engineer
Computer Software Program Manager
Applications Systems Analyst
Senior Internal Auditor
Commercial Property Manager
Creative Director
Pharmaceuticals Sales Representative
Associate - Investment Banking
Training & Development Manager
Product Marketing Manager
Quality Assurance Manager
Financial Research Analyst
Outside Sales Representative

Top 50 BEST JOBS IN AMERICA 2009