Fastest Growing Occupations, 1996-2006

Occupations are ranked based on projected percent changes in employment, 1996-2006;
numerical employment changes are in thousands of jobs

Occupation Employment Change Education and training category
1996 2006 Number Percent
Database administrators, computer support specialists, and all other computer scientists 212 461 249 118 Bachelor's degree
Computer engineers 216 451 235 109 Bachelor's degree
Systems analysts 506 1,025 520 103 Bachelor's degree
Personal and home care aides 202 374 171 85 Short-term on-the-job training
Physical and corrective therapy assistants and aides 84 151 66 79 Moderate-term on-the-job training
Home health aides 495 873 378 76 Short-term on-the-job training
Medical assistants 225 391 166 74 Moderate-term on-the-job training
Desktop publishing specialists 30 53 22 74 Long-term on-the-job training
Physical therapists 115 196 81 71 Bachelor's degree
Occupational therapy assistants and aides 16 26 11 69 Moderate-term on-the-job training
           
Paralegals 113 189 76 68 Associate's degree
Occupational therapists 57 95 38 66 Bachelor's degree
Teachers, special education 407 648 241 59 Bachelor's degree
Human services workers 178 276 98 55 Moderate-term on-the-job training
Data processing equipment repairers 80 121 42 52 Postsecondary vocational training
Medical records technicians 87 132 44 51 Associate's degree
Speech-language pathologists and audiologists 87 131 44 51 Master's degree
Dental hygienists 133 197 64 48 Associate's degree
Amusement and recreation attendants 288 426 138 48 Short-term on-the-job training
Physician assistants 64 93 30 47 Bachelor's degree
           
Respiratory therapists 82 119 37 46 Associate's degree
Adjustment clerks 401 584 183 46 Short-term on-the-job training
Engineering, science, and computer systems managers 343 498 155 45 Work experience plus bachelor's or higher degree
Emergency medical technicians 150 217 67 45 Postsecondary vocational training
Manicurists 43 62 19 45 Postsecondary vocational training
Bill and account collectors 269 381 112 42 Short-term on-the-job training
Residential counselors 180 254 74 41 Bachelor's degree
Instructors and coaches, sports and physical training 303 427 123 41 Moderate-term on-the-job training
Dental assistants 202 278 77 38 Moderate-term on-the-job training
Securities and financial services sales workers 263 363 100 38 Bachelor's degree