The 50 Best Jobs in America

The 50 Best Jobs in America Search The 50 Best Jobs in America Share this articleTwitterLinkedinFacebookemailFrom CNN Money and the compensation experts at Salary.comMONEY Magazine and Salary.com have unveiled an exclusive list of the 50 Best Jobs in America. MONEY and Salary.com started by analyzing government and private data on industry growth and compensation levels. But in an improving employment market in which workers are looking for mora than just a paycheck, MONEY and Salary.com dug deeper, surveying 26,000 workers about their job satisfaction and grading careers based on factors such as stress level, flexibility, creativity and ease of entry into and advancement within the field. These careers ranked highestThe Top 10Rank Career Job growth(10-yr forecast) kusine pay ($s)1 Software engineer 46.07% kusine Pay2 College hochschulhochschulprofessor 31.39% cousine Pay3 Financial advisor 25.92% cousine Pay4 menschlich resurces manager 23.47% Base Pay5 Physicians assistant 49.6 5% Base Pay6 Market research analyst 20.19% Base Pay7 Computer/IT analyst 36.10% Base Pay8 Real estate appraiser 22.78% Base Pay9 Pharmacist 24.57% Base Pay10 Psychologist 19.14% Base PaySurce Salary.com / CNN Money April 2006Click here for the full list of the Top 50 Best JobsMore Jobs Stats on 166 TitlesAbout the Top 10 Jobs1. Software EngineerWhy its greatSoftware engineers are needed in virtually every parteee of the economy, making this one of the fastest-growing job titles in the U.S. Even so, its bedrngnis for everybody. Designing, developing and testing computer programs requires some pretty advanced math skills and creative problem-solving ability. If youve got them, though, you can work and live where you want Telecommuting is quickly becoming widespread. The profession skews young the up-all-night-coding thing gets tired but consulting and management positions arent hard to come by once youre experienced. Whats coolCutting-edge projects, like designing a new video game or tweaking that military laser. Extra cash from freelance gigs. Plus, elendlagehing says cool like great prospects. Whats notJobs at the biggest companies tend to be less creative (think Neo, pre-Matrix). Outsourcing is a worry. Eyestrain and back, pranke and wrist problems are common.Top-paying jobRelease engineers, who are responsible for the final version of any software product, earn six figures. EducationBachelors degree, but moving up the ladder often requires a masters.2. College professorWhy its greatWhile competition for tenure-track jobs will always be stiff, enrollment is rising in professional programs, community colleges and technical schools which means higher demand for faculty. Its easier to break in at this level, and often you can teach with a masters and professional experience. Demand is especially strong in fields that compete with the private sector (health science and geschftlicher umgang, for example). The category includes moonlighting adjuncts, graduat e TAs and college administrators. Whats coolProfessors have near-total flexibility in their schedules. Creative thinking is the coin of the realm. No dress code Whats notThe tick-tick-tick of the tenure clock grading papers salaries at the low end are indeed low.Top-paying jobUniversity presidents pay can hit $550,000 or more, but fruchtwein make about half that.EducationMasters or professional degree Ph.D. for most tenured jobs.3. Financial adviserWhy its greatTwenty years ago, no one ever said, I want to be a financial adviser when I grow up. Now there are nearly 300 college programs for financial planning, and M.B.A.s, lawyers and accountants are jumping to this lucrative but more people-friendly profession. As company pensions passiv out and Americans increasingly have to manage their own retirement savings, financial planning is no longer just for the rich. And with richtung X-ers entering their peak earning years and boomers nearing retirement, business will get better sti ll.Whats coolIf you have a knack for numbers and a way with people, you can use Wall Street skills without selling your soul. You can work for yourself, for a small shop or for a giant financial services firm.Whats notbefolgung rules mean lots of paperwork. Stress? You have to build a practice from the ground up.Top-paying jobAdvisers who manage client portfolios earn $200,000-positiv.EducationA college degree, plus certification and continuing education.4. menschenwrdig Resources ManagerWhy its greatAt more and more companies, HR is no longer about benefits administration and the employee newsletter. Those tasks are increasingly outsourced, and directors and v.p.s are considered strategic planners. Even lower-level managers are expected to design employee programs that also benefit the bottom line. International HR and compliance are especially hot. Theres a wide variety of work, from self-employed benefits specialists to corporate recruiters and HR generalists.Whats coolThe missio n to make work more rewarding for workers. You help shape corporate culture and strategy.Whats notFighting the fluffy HR stereotype firing people.Top-paying jobSenior HR directors make around $285,000 at the C-suite level, its more like $1 million-plus.EducationBachelors degree, often followed by masters level work or professional certification.5. Physicians assistantWhy its greatFor most doctors, the worst part of their job is filling out paperwork and battling insurers. Physicians assistants get to skip all that. Under a doctors supervision, they provide erfahrungen health care conducting physical exams, ordering lab tests, prescribing medications, treating illnesses. PAs can specialize, from the E.R. to pediatrics to orthopedics, and they can switch fields. Thanks to an aging bevlkerung and demand for more cost-effective care, this job offers a level of security other professions cant match. Whats coolDoctors work, bankers hours. PAs average 35 to 40 hours a week, and they can work part time and in a variety of settings.Whats notYoure not the ultimate decision maker on patient treatment theres little room for advancement.Top-paying jobSpecialists in cardiothoracic surgery earn over $100,000.EducationFour years of college, two to three years of training in an accredited program, plus national exam for certification.Related Salary.com Content Modern War for Talent Americas Best Employers The 10 Most Stressful Jobs 6 In-Demand IT Jobs Worth Looking at in 2019 From our trusted Partners From our trusted Partners Home Articles Career Development Choosing a Career The 50 Best Jobs in AmericaThe 50 Best Jobs in America Search The 50 Best Jobs in America Share this articleTwitterLinkedinFacebookemailFrom CNN Money and the compensation experts at Salary.comMONEY Magazine and Salary.com have unveiled an exclusive list of the 50 Best Jobs in America. MONEY and Salary.com started by analyzing government and private data on indust ry growth and compensation levels. But in an improving employment market in which workers are looking for more than just a paycheck, MONEY and Salary.com dug deeper, surveying 26,000 workers about their job satisfaction and grading careers based on factors such as stress level, flexibility, creativity and ease of entry into and advancement within the field. These careers ranked highestThe Top 10Rank Career Job growth(10-yr forecast) Base pay ($s)1 Software engineer 46.07% Base Pay2 College professor 31.39% Base Pay3 Financial advisor 25.92% Base Pay4 Human resources manager 23.47% Base Pay5 Physicians assistant 49.65% Base Pay6 Market research analyst 20.19% Base Pay7 Computer/IT analyst 36.10% Base Pay8 Real estate appraiser 22.78% Base Pay9 Pharmacist 24.57% Base Pay10 Psychologist 19.14% Base PaySource Salary.com / CNN Money April 2006Click here for the full list of the Top 50 Best JobsMore Jobs Stats on 166 TitlesAbout the Top 10 Jobs1. Software EngineerWhy its greatSoftware eng ineers are needed in virtually every part of the economy, making this one of the fastest-growing job titles in the U.S. Even so, its not for everybody. Designing, developing and testing computer programs requires some pretty advanced math skills and creative problem-solving ability. If youve got them, though, you can work and live where you want Telecommuting is quickly becoming widespread. The profession skews young the up-all-night-coding thing gets tired but consulting and management positions arent hard to come by once youre experienced. Whats coolCutting-edge projects, like designing a new video game or tweaking that military laser. Extra cash from freelance gigs. Plus, nothing says cool like great prospects. Whats notJobs at the biggest companies tend to be less creative (think Neo, pre-Matrix). Outsourcing is a worry. Eyestrain and back, hand and wrist problems are common.Top-paying jobRelease engineers, who are responsible for the final version of any software product, e arn six figures. EducationBachelors degree, but moving up the ladder often requires a masters.2. College professorWhy its greatWhile competition for tenure-track jobs will always be stiff, enrollment is rising in professional programs, community colleges and technical schools which means higher demand for faculty. Its easier to break in at this level, and often you can teach with a masters and professional experience. Demand is especially strong in fields that compete with the private sector (health science and business, for example). The category includes moonlighting adjuncts, graduate TAs and college administrators. Whats coolProfessors have near-total flexibility in their schedules. Creative thinking is the coin of the realm. No dress code Whats notThe tick-tick-tick of the tenure clock grading papers salaries at the low end are indeed low.Top-paying jobUniversity presidents pay can hit $550,000 or more, but most make about half that.EducationMasters or professional degree Ph.D. for most tenured jobs.3. Financial adviserWhy its greatTwenty years ago, no one ever said, I want to be a financial adviser when I grow up. Now there are nearly 300 college programs for financial planning, and M.B.A.s, lawyers and accountants are jumping to this lucrative but more people-friendly profession. As company pensions die out and Americans increasingly have to manage their own retirement savings, financial planning is no longer just for the rich. And with Gen X-ers entering their peak earning years and boomers nearing retirement, business will get better still.Whats coolIf you have a knack for numbers and a way with people, you can use Wall Street skills without selling your soul. You can work for yourself, for a small shop or for a giant financial services firm.Whats notCompliance rules mean lots of paperwork. Stress? You have to build a practice from the ground up.Top-paying jobAdvisers who manage client portfolios earn $200,000-plus.EducationA college degree, plu s certification and continuing education.4. Human Resources ManagerWhy its greatAt more and more companies, HR is no longer about benefits administration and the employee newsletter. Those tasks are increasingly outsourced, and directors and v.p.s are considered strategic planners. Even lower-level managers are expected to design employee programs that also benefit the bottom line. International HR and compliance are especially hot. Theres a wide variety of work, from self-employed benefits specialists to corporate recruiters and HR generalists.Whats coolThe mission to make work more rewarding for workers. You help shape corporate culture and strategy.Whats notFighting the fluffy HR stereotype firing people.Top-paying jobSenior HR directors make around $285,000 at the C-suite level, its more like $1 million-plus.EducationBachelors degree, often followed by masters level work or professional certification.5. Physicians assistantWhy its greatFor most doctors, the worst part of their j ob is filling out paperwork and battling insurers. Physicians assistants get to skip all that. Under a doctors supervision, they provide routine health care conducting physical exams, ordering lab tests, prescribing medications, treating illnesses. PAs can specialize, from the E.R. to pediatrics to orthopedics, and they can switch fields. Thanks to an aging population and demand for more cost-effective care, this job offers a level of security other professions cant match. Whats coolDoctors work, bankers hours. PAs average 35 to 40 hours a week, and they can work part time and in a variety of settings.Whats notYoure not the ultimate decision maker on patient treatment theres little room for advancement.Top-paying jobSpecialists in cardiothoracic surgery earn over $100,000.EducationFour years of college, two to three years of training in an accredited program, plus national exam for certification.Related Salary.com Content Modern War for Talent Americas Best Employers The 10 M ost Stressful Jobs 6 In-Demand IT Jobs Worth Looking at in 2019 From our trusted Partners From our trusted Partners Home Articles Career Development Choosing a Career The 50 Best Jobs in AmericaThe 50 Best Jobs in America Search The 50 Best Jobs in America Share this articleTwitterLinkedinFacebookemailFrom CNN Money and the compensation experts at Salary.comMONEY Magazine and Salary.com have unveiled an exclusive list of the 50 Best Jobs in America. MONEY and Salary.com started by analyzing government and private data on industry growth and compensation levels. But in an improving employment market in which workers are looking for more than just a paycheck, MONEY and Salary.com dug deeper, surveying 26,000 workers about their job satisfaction and grading careers based on factors such as stress level, flexibility, creativity and ease of entry into and advancement within the field. These careers ranked highestThe Top 10Rank Career Job growth(10-yr for ecast) Base pay ($s)1 Software engineer 46.07% Base Pay2 College professor 31.39% Base Pay3 Financial advisor 25.92% Base Pay4 Human resources manager 23.47% Base Pay5 Physicians assistant 49.65% Base Pay6 Market research analyst 20.19% Base Pay7 Computer/IT analyst 36.10% Base Pay8 Real estate appraiser 22.78% Base Pay9 Pharmacist 24.57% Base Pay10 Psychologist 19.14% Base PaySource Salary.com / CNN Money April 2006Click here for the full list of the Top 50 Best JobsMore Jobs Stats on 166 TitlesAbout the Top 10 Jobs1. Software EngineerWhy its greatSoftware engineers are needed in virtually every part of the economy, making this one of the fastest-growing job titles in the U.S. Even so, its not for everybody. Designing, developing and testing computer programs requires some pretty advanced math skills and creative problem-solving ability. If youve got them, though, you can work and live where you want Telecommuting is quickly becoming widespread. The profession skews young the up-a ll-night-coding thing gets tired but consulting and management positions arent hard to come by once youre experienced. Whats coolCutting-edge projects, like designing a new video game or tweaking that military laser. Extra cash from freelance gigs. Plus, nothing says cool like great prospects. Whats notJobs at the biggest companies tend to be less creative (think Neo, pre-Matrix). Outsourcing is a worry. Eyestrain and back, hand and wrist problems are common.Top-paying jobRelease engineers, who are responsible for the final version of any software product, earn six figures. EducationBachelors degree, but moving up the ladder often requires a masters.2. College professorWhy its greatWhile competition for tenure-track jobs will always be stiff, enrollment is rising in professional programs, community colleges and technical schools which means higher demand for faculty. Its easier to break in at this level, and often you can teach with a masters and professional experience. Demand is especially strong in fields that compete with the private sector (health science and business, for example). The category includes moonlighting adjuncts, graduate TAs and college administrators. Whats coolProfessors have near-total flexibility in their schedules. Creative thinking is the coin of the realm. No dress code Whats notThe tick-tick-tick of the tenure clock grading papers salaries at the low end are indeed low.Top-paying jobUniversity presidents pay can hit $550,000 or more, but most make about half that.EducationMasters or professional degree Ph.D. for most tenured jobs.3. Financial adviserWhy its greatTwenty years ago, no one ever said, I want to be a financial adviser when I grow up. Now there are nearly 300 college programs for financial planning, and M.B.A.s, lawyers and accountants are jumping to this lucrative but more people-friendly profession. As company pensions die out and Americans increasingly have to manage their own retirement savings, financial pla nning is no longer just for the rich. And with Gen X-ers entering their peak earning years and boomers nearing retirement, business will get better still.Whats coolIf you have a knack for numbers and a way with people, you can use Wall Street skills without selling your soul. You can work for yourself, for a small shop or for a giant financial services firm.Whats notCompliance rules mean lots of paperwork. Stress? You have to build a practice from the ground up.Top-paying jobAdvisers who manage client portfolios earn $200,000-plus.EducationA college degree, plus certification and continuing education.4. Human Resources ManagerWhy its greatAt more and more companies, HR is no longer about benefits administration and the employee newsletter. Those tasks are increasingly outsourced, and directors and v.p.s are considered strategic planners. Even lower-level managers are expected to design employee programs that also benefit the bottom line. International HR and compliance are especiall y hot. Theres a wide variety of work, from self-employed benefits specialists to corporate recruiters and HR generalists.Whats coolThe mission to make work more rewarding for workers. You help shape corporate culture and strategy.Whats notFighting the fluffy HR stereotype firing people.Top-paying jobSenior HR directors make around $285,000 at the C-suite level, its more like $1 million-plus.EducationBachelors degree, often followed by masters level work or professional certification.5. Physicians assistantWhy its greatFor most doctors, the worst part of their job is filling out paperwork and battling insurers. Physicians assistants get to skip all that. Under a doctors supervision, they provide routine health care conducting physical exams, ordering lab tests, prescribing medications, treating illnesses. PAs can specialize, from the E.R. to pediatrics to orthopedics, and they can switch fields. Thanks to an aging population and demand for more cost-effective care, this job offers a level of security other professions cant match. Whats coolDoctors work, bankers hours. PAs average 35 to 40 hours a week, and they can work part time and in a variety of settings.Whats notYoure not the ultimate decision maker on patient treatment theres little room for advancement.Top-paying jobSpecialists in cardiothoracic surgery earn over $100,000.EducationFour years of college, two to three years of training in an accredited program, plus national exam for certification.Related Salary.com Content Modern War for Talent Americas Best Employers The 10 Most Stressful Jobs 6 In-Demand IT Jobs Worth Looking at in 2019 From our trusted Partners From our trusted Partners Home Articles Career Development Choosing a Career The 50 Best Jobs in AmericaThe 50 Best Jobs in America Search The 50 Best Jobs in America Share this articleTwitterLinkedinFacebookemailFrom CNN Money and the compensation experts at Salary.comMONEY Magazine and Salary.com have u nveiled an exclusive list of the 50 Best Jobs in America. MONEY and Salary.com started by analyzing government and private data on industry growth and compensation levels. But in an improving employment market in which workers are looking for more than just a paycheck, MONEY and Salary.com dug deeper, surveying 26,000 workers about their job satisfaction and grading careers based on factors such as stress level, flexibility, creativity and ease of entry into and advancement within the field. These careers ranked highestThe Top 10Rank Career Job growth(10-yr forecast) Base pay ($s)1 Software engineer 46.07% Base Pay2 College professor 31.39% Base Pay3 Financial advisor 25.92% Base Pay4 Human resources manager 23.47% Base Pay5 Physicians assistant 49.65% Base Pay6 Market research analyst 20.19% Base Pay7 Computer/IT analyst 36.10% Base Pay8 Real estate appraiser 22.78% Base Pay9 Pharmacist 24.57% Base Pay10 Psychologist 19.14% Base PaySource Salary.com / CNN Money April 2006Click here for the full list of the Top 50 Best JobsMore Jobs Stats on 166 TitlesAbout the Top 10 Jobs1. Software EngineerWhy its greatSoftware engineers are needed in virtually every part of the economy, making this one of the fastest-growing job titles in the U.S. Even so, its not for everybody. Designing, developing and testing computer programs requires some pretty advanced math skills and creative problem-solving ability. If youve got them, though, you can work and live where you want Telecommuting is quickly becoming widespread. The profession skews young the up-all-night-coding thing gets tired but consulting and management positions arent hard to come by once youre experienced. Whats coolCutting-edge projects, like designing a new video game or tweaking that military laser. Extra cash from freelance gigs. Plus, nothing says cool like great prospects. Whats notJobs at the biggest companies tend to be less creative (think Neo, pre-Matrix). Outsourcing is a worry. Eyestrain and back, hand and wrist problems are common.Top-paying jobRelease engineers, who are responsible for the final version of any software product, earn six figures. EducationBachelors degree, but moving up the ladder often requires a masters.2. College professorWhy its greatWhile competition for tenure-track jobs will always be stiff, enrollment is rising in professional programs, community colleges and technical schools which means higher demand for faculty. Its easier to break in at this level, and often you can teach with a masters and professional experience. Demand is especially strong in fields that compete with the private sector (health science and business, for example). The category includes moonlighting adjuncts, graduate TAs and college administrators. Whats coolProfessors have near-total flexibility in their schedules. Creative thinking is the coin of the realm. No dress code Whats notThe tick-tick-tick of the tenure clock grading papers salaries at the low end are indeed lo w.Top-paying jobUniversity presidents pay can hit $550,000 or more, but most make about half that.EducationMasters or professional degree Ph.D. for most tenured jobs.3. Financial adviserWhy its greatTwenty years ago, no one ever said, I want to be a financial adviser when I grow up. Now there are nearly 300 college programs for financial planning, and M.B.A.s, lawyers and accountants are jumping to this lucrative but more people-friendly profession. As company pensions die out and Americans increasingly have to manage their own retirement savings, financial planning is no longer just for the rich. And with Gen X-ers entering their peak earning years and boomers nearing retirement, business will get better still.Whats coolIf you have a knack for numbers and a way with people, you can use Wall Street skills without selling your soul. You can work for yourself, for a small shop or for a giant financial services firm.Whats notCompliance rules mean lots of paperwork. Stress? You have to build a practice from the ground up.Top-paying jobAdvisers who manage client portfolios earn $200,000-plus.EducationA college degree, plus certification and continuing education.4. Human Resources ManagerWhy its greatAt more and more companies, HR is no longer about benefits administration and the employee newsletter. Those tasks are increasingly outsourced, and directors and v.p.s are considered strategic planners. Even lower-level managers are expected to design employee programs that also benefit the bottom line. International HR and compliance are especially hot. Theres a wide variety of work, from self-employed benefits specialists to corporate recruiters and HR generalists.Whats coolThe mission to make work more rewarding for workers. You help shape corporate culture and strategy.Whats notFighting the fluffy HR stereotype firing people.Top-paying jobSenior HR directors make around $285,000 at the C-suite level, its more like $1 million-plus.EducationBachelors degree, often fol lowed by masters level work or professional certification.5. Physicians assistantWhy its greatFor most doctors, the worst part of their job is filling out paperwork and battling insurers. Physicians assistants get to skip all that. Under a doctors supervision, they provide routine health care conducting physical exams, ordering lab tests, prescribing medications, treating illnesses. PAs can specialize, from the E.R. to pediatrics to orthopedics, and they can switch fields. Thanks to an aging population and demand for more cost-effective care, this job offers a level of security other professions cant match. Whats coolDoctors work, bankers hours. PAs average 35 to 40 hours a week, and they can work part time and in a variety of settings.Whats notYoure not the ultimate decision maker on patient treatment theres little room for advancement.Top-paying jobSpecialists in cardiothoracic surgery earn over $100,000.EducationFour years of college, two to three years of training in an accred ited program, plus national exam for certification.Related Salary.com Content Modern War for Talent Americas Best Employers The 10 Most Stressful Jobs 6 In-Demand IT Jobs Worth Looking at in 2019 From our trusted Partners From our trusted Partners Home Articles Career Development Choosing a Career The 50 Best Jobs in AmericaThe 50 Best Jobs in America Search The 50 Best Jobs in America Share this articleTwitterLinkedinFacebookemailFrom CNN Money and the compensation experts at Salary.comMONEY Magazine and Salary.com have unveiled an exclusive list of the 50 Best Jobs in America. MONEY and Salary.com started by analyzing government and private data on industry growth and compensation levels. But in an improving employment market in which workers are looking for more than just a paycheck, MONEY and Salary.com dug deeper, surveying 26,000 workers about their job satisfaction and grading careers based on factors such as stress level, flexibility, c reativity and ease of entry into and advancement within the field. These careers ranked highestThe Top 10Rank Career Job growth(10-yr forecast) Base pay ($s)1 Software engineer 46.07% Base Pay2 College professor 31.39% Base Pay3 Financial advisor 25.92% Base Pay4 Human resources manager 23.47% Base Pay5 Physicians assistant 49.65% Base Pay6 Market research analyst 20.19% Base Pay7 Computer/IT analyst 36.10% Base Pay8 Real estate appraiser 22.78% Base Pay9 Pharmacist 24.57% Base Pay10 Psychologist 19.14% Base PaySource Salary.com / CNN Money April 2006Click here for the full list of the Top 50 Best JobsMore Jobs Stats on 166 TitlesAbout the Top 10 Jobs1. Software EngineerWhy its greatSoftware engineers are needed in virtually every part of the economy, making this one of the fastest-growing job titles in the U.S. Even so, its not for everybody. Designing, developing and testing computer programs requires some pretty advanced math skills and creative problem-solving ability. If youve got them, though, you can work and live where you want Telecommuting is quickly becoming widespread. The profession skews young the up-all-night-coding thing gets tired but consulting and management positions arent hard to come by once youre experienced. Whats coolCutting-edge projects, like designing a new video game or tweaking that military laser. Extra cash from freelance gigs. Plus, nothing says cool like great prospects. Whats notJobs at the biggest companies tend to be less creative (think Neo, pre-Matrix). Outsourcing is a worry. Eyestrain and back, hand and wrist problems are common.Top-paying jobRelease engineers, who are responsible for the final version of any software product, earn six figures. EducationBachelors degree, but moving up the ladder often requires a masters.2. College professorWhy its greatWhile competition for tenure-track jobs will always be stiff, enrollment is rising in professional programs, community colleges and technical schools which means hi gher demand for faculty. Its easier to break in at this level, and often you can teach with a masters and professional experience. Demand is especially strong in fields that compete with the private sector (health science and business, for example). The category includes moonlighting adjuncts, graduate TAs and college administrators. Whats coolProfessors have near-total flexibility in their schedules. Creative thinking is the coin of the realm. No dress code Whats notThe tick-tick-tick of the tenure clock grading papers salaries at the low end are indeed low.Top-paying jobUniversity presidents pay can hit $550,000 or more, but most make about half that.EducationMasters or professional degree Ph.D. for most tenured jobs.3. Financial adviserWhy its greatTwenty years ago, no one ever said, I want to be a financial adviser when I grow up. Now there are nearly 300 college programs for financial planning, and M.B.A.s, lawyers and accountants are jumping to this lucrative but more peop le-friendly profession. As company pensions die out and Americans increasingly have to manage their own retirement savings, financial planning is no longer just for the rich. And with Gen X-ers entering their peak earning years and boomers nearing retirement, business will get better still.Whats coolIf you have a knack for numbers and a way with people, you can use Wall Street skills without selling your soul. You can work for yourself, for a small shop or for a giant financial services firm.Whats notCompliance rules mean lots of paperwork. Stress? You have to build a practice from the ground up.Top-paying jobAdvisers who manage client portfolios earn $200,000-plus.EducationA college degree, plus certification and continuing education.4. Human Resources ManagerWhy its greatAt more and more companies, HR is no longer about benefits administration and the employee newsletter. Those tasks are increasingly outsourced, and directors and v.p.s are considered strategic planners. Even lower -level managers are expected to design employee programs that also benefit the bottom line. International HR and compliance are especially hot. Theres a wide variety of work, from self-employed benefits specialists to corporate recruiters and HR generalists.Whats coolThe mission to make work more rewarding for workers. You help shape corporate culture and strategy.Whats notFighting the fluffy HR stereotype firing people.Top-paying jobSenior HR directors make around $285,000 at the C-suite level, its more like $1 million-plus.EducationBachelors degree, often followed by masters level work or professional certification.5. Physicians assistantWhy its greatFor most doctors, the worst part of their job is filling out paperwork and battling insurers. Physicians assistants get to skip all that. Under a doctors supervision, they provide routine health care conducting physical exams, ordering lab tests, prescribing medications, treating illnesses. PAs can specialize, from the E.R. to pediat rics to orthopedics, and they can switch fields. Thanks to an aging population and demand for more cost-effective care, this job offers a level of security other professions cant match. Whats coolDoctors work, bankers hours. PAs average 35 to 40 hours a week, and they can work part time and in a variety of settings.Whats notYoure not the ultimate decision maker on patient treatment theres little room for advancement.Top-paying jobSpecialists in cardiothoracic surgery earn over $100,000.EducationFour years of college, two to three years of training in an accredited program, plus national exam for certification.Related Salary.com Content Modern War for Talent Americas Best Employers The 10 Most Stressful Jobs 6 In-Demand IT Jobs Worth Looking at in 2019 From our trusted Partners From our trusted Partners Home Articles Career Development Choosing a Career The 50 Best Jobs in AmericaThe 50 Best Jobs in America Search The 50 Best Jobs in America Sh are this articleTwitterLinkedinFacebookemailFrom CNN Money and the compensation experts at Salary.comMONEY Magazine and Salary.com have unveiled an exclusive list of the 50 Best Jobs in America. MONEY and Salary.com started by analyzing government and private data on industry growth and compensation levels. But in an improving employment market in which workers are looking for more than just a paycheck, MONEY and Salary.com dug deeper, surveying 26,000 workers about their job satisfaction and grading careers based on factors such as stress level, flexibility, creativity and ease of entry into and advancement within the field. These careers ranked highestThe Top 10Rank Career Job growth(10-yr forecast) Base pay ($s)1 Software engineer 46.07% Base Pay2 College professor 31.39% Base Pay3 Financial advisor 25.92% Base Pay4 Human resources manager 23.47% Base Pay5 Physicians assistant 49.65% Base Pay6 Market research analyst 20.19% Base Pay7 Computer/IT analyst 36.10% Base Pay8 Real esta te appraiser 22.78% Base Pay9 Pharmacist 24.57% Base Pay10 Psychologist 19.14% Base PaySource Salary.com / CNN Money April 2006Click here for the full list of the Top 50 Best JobsMore Jobs Stats on 166 TitlesAbout the Top 10 Jobs1. Software EngineerWhy its greatSoftware engineers are needed in virtually every part of the economy, making this one of the fastest-growing job titles in the U.S. Even so, its not for everybody. Designing, developing and testing computer programs requires some pretty advanced math skills and creative problem-solving ability. If youve got them, though, you can work and live where you want Telecommuting is quickly becoming widespread. The profession skews young the up-all-night-coding thing gets tired but consulting and management positions arent hard to come by once youre experienced. Whats coolCutting-edge projects, like designing a new video game or tweaking that military laser. Extra cash from freelance gigs. Plus, nothing says cool like great prospec ts. Whats notJobs at the biggest companies tend to be less creative (think Neo, pre-Matrix). Outsourcing is a worry. Eyestrain and back, hand and wrist problems are common.Top-paying jobRelease engineers, who are responsible for the final version of any software product, earn six figures. EducationBachelors degree, but moving up the ladder often requires a masters.2. College professorWhy its greatWhile competition for tenure-track jobs will always be stiff, enrollment is rising in professional programs, community colleges and technical schools which means higher demand for faculty. Its easier to break in at this level, and often you can teach with a masters and professional experience. Demand is especially strong in fields that compete with the private sector (health science and business, for example). The category includes moonlighting adjuncts, graduate TAs and college administrators. Whats coolProfessors have near-total flexibility in their schedules. Creative thinking is t he coin of the realm. No dress code Whats notThe tick-tick-tick of the tenure clock grading papers salaries at the low end are indeed low.Top-paying jobUniversity presidents pay can hit $550,000 or more, but most make about half that.EducationMasters or professional degree Ph.D. for most tenured jobs.3. Financial adviserWhy its greatTwenty years ago, no one ever said, I want to be a financial adviser when I grow up. Now there are nearly 300 college programs for financial planning, and M.B.A.s, lawyers and accountants are jumping to this lucrative but more people-friendly profession. As company pensions die out and Americans increasingly have to manage their own retirement savings, financial planning is no longer just for the rich. And with Gen X-ers entering their peak earning years and boomers nearing retirement, business will get better still.Whats coolIf you have a knack for numbers and a way with people, you can use Wall Street skills without selling your soul. You can work for yourself, for a small shop or for a giant financial services firm.Whats notCompliance rules mean lots of paperwork. Stress? You have to build a practice from the ground up.Top-paying jobAdvisers who manage client portfolios earn $200,000-plus.EducationA college degree, plus certification and continuing education.4. Human Resources ManagerWhy its greatAt more and more companies, HR is no longer about benefits administration and the employee newsletter. Those tasks are increasingly outsourced, and directors and v.p.s are considered strategic planners. Even lower-level managers are expected to design employee programs that also benefit the bottom line. International HR and compliance are especially hot. Theres a wide variety of work, from self-employed benefits specialists to corporate recruiters and HR generalists.Whats coolThe mission to make work more rewarding for workers. You help shape corporate culture and strategy.Whats notFighting the fluffy HR stereotype firing people.Top-pa ying jobSenior HR directors make around $285,000 at the C-suite level, its more like $1 million-plus.EducationBachelors degree, often followed by masters level work or professional certification.5. Physicians assistantWhy its greatFor most doctors, the worst part of their job is filling out paperwork and battling insurers. Physicians assistants get to skip all that. Under a doctors supervision, they provide routine health care conducting physical exams, ordering lab tests, prescribing medications, treating illnesses. PAs can specialize, from the E.R. to pediatrics to orthopedics, and they can switch fields. Thanks to an aging population and demand for more cost-effective care, this job offers a level of security other professions cant match. Whats coolDoctors work, bankers hours. PAs average 35 to 40 hours a week, and they can work part time and in a variety of settings.Whats notYoure not the ultimate decision maker on patient treatment theres little room for advancement.Top-payin g jobSpecialists in cardiothoracic surgery earn over $100,000.EducationFour years of college, two to three years of training in an accredited program, plus national exam for certification.Related Salary.com Content Modern War for Talent Americas Best Employers The 10 Most Stressful Jobs 6 In-Demand IT Jobs Worth Looking at in 2019 From our trusted Partners From our trusted Partners Home Articles Career Development Choosing a Career The 50 Best Jobs in AmericaThe 50 Best Jobs in America Search The 50 Best Jobs in America Share this articleTwitterLinkedinFacebookemailFrom CNN Money and the compensation experts at Salary.comMONEY Magazine and Salary.com have unveiled an exclusive list of the 50 Best Jobs in America. MONEY and Salary.com started by analyzing government and private data on industry growth and compensation levels. But in an improving employment market in which workers are looking for more than just a paycheck, MONEY and Salary.com du g deeper, surveying 26,000 workers about their job satisfaction and grading careers based on factors such as stress level, flexibility, creativity and ease of entry into and advancement within the field. These careers ranked highestThe Top 10Rank Career Job growth(10-yr forecast) Base pay ($s)1 Software engineer 46.07% Base Pay2 College professor 31.39% Base Pay3 Financial advisor 25.92% Base Pay4 Human resources manager 23.47% Base Pay5 Physicians assistant 49.65% Base Pay6 Market research analyst 20.19% Base Pay7 Computer/IT analyst 36.10% Base Pay8 Real estate appraiser 22.78% Base Pay9 Pharmacist 24.57% Base Pay10 Psychologist 19.14% Base PaySource Salary.com / CNN Money April 2006Click here for the full list of the Top 50 Best JobsMore Jobs Stats on 166 TitlesAbout the Top 10 Jobs1. Software EngineerWhy its greatSoftware engineers are needed in virtually every part of the economy, making this one of the fastest-growing job titles in the U.S. Even so, its not for everybody. Desi gning, developing and testing computer programs requires some pretty advanced math skills and creative problem-solving ability. If youve got them, though, you can work and live where you want Telecommuting is quickly becoming widespread. The profession skews young the up-all-night-coding thing gets tired but consulting and management positions arent hard to come by once youre experienced. Whats coolCutting-edge projects, like designing a new video game or tweaking that military laser. Extra cash from freelance gigs. Plus, nothing says cool like great prospects. Whats notJobs at the biggest companies tend to be less creative (think Neo, pre-Matrix). Outsourcing is a worry. Eyestrain and back, hand and wrist problems are common.Top-paying jobRelease engineers, who are responsible for the final version of any software product, earn six figures. EducationBachelors degree, but moving up the ladder often requires a masters.2. College professorWhy its greatWhile competition for tenure -track jobs will always be stiff, enrollment is rising in professional programs, community colleges and technical schools which means higher demand for faculty. Its easier to break in at this level, and often you can teach with a masters and professional experience. Demand is especially strong in fields that compete with the private sector (health science and business, for example). The category includes moonlighting adjuncts, graduate TAs and college administrators. Whats coolProfessors have near-total flexibility in their schedules. Creative thinking is the coin of the realm. No dress code Whats notThe tick-tick-tick of the tenure clock grading papers salaries at the low end are indeed low.Top-paying jobUniversity presidents pay can hit $550,000 or more, but most make about half that.EducationMasters or professional degree Ph.D. for most tenured jobs.3. Financial adviserWhy its greatTwenty years ago, no one ever said, I want to be a financial adviser when I grow up. Now there are nearly 300 college programs for financial planning, and M.B.A.s, lawyers and accountants are jumping to this lucrative but more people-friendly profession. As company pensions die out and Americans increasingly have to manage their own retirement savings, financial planning is no longer just for the rich. And with Gen X-ers entering their peak earning years and boomers nearing retirement, business will get better still.Whats coolIf you have a knack for numbers and a way with people, you can use Wall Street skills without selling your soul. You can work for yourself, for a small shop or for a giant financial services firm.Whats notCompliance rules mean lots of paperwork. Stress? You have to build a practice from the ground up.Top-paying jobAdvisers who manage client portfolios earn $200,000-plus.EducationA college degree, plus certification and continuing education.4. Human Resources ManagerWhy its greatAt more and more companies, HR is no longer about benefits administration an d the employee newsletter. Those tasks are increasingly outsourced, and directors and v.p.s are considered strategic planners. Even lower-level managers are expected to design employee programs that also benefit the bottom line. International HR and compliance are especially hot. Theres a wide variety of work, from self-employed benefits specialists to corporate recruiters and HR generalists.Whats coolThe mission to make work more rewarding for workers. You help shape corporate culture and strategy.Whats notFighting the fluffy HR stereotype firing people.Top-paying jobSenior HR directors make around $285,000 at the C-suite level, its more like $1 million-plus.EducationBachelors degree, often followed by masters level work or professional certification.5. Physicians assistantWhy its greatFor most doctors, the worst part of their job is filling out paperwork and battling insurers. Physicians assistants get to skip all that. Under a doctors supervision, they provide routine health care conducting physical exams, ordering lab tests, prescribing medications, treating illnesses. PAs can specialize, from the E.R. to pediatrics to orthopedics, and they can switch fields. Thanks to an aging population and demand for more cost-effective care, this job offers a level of security other professions cant match. Whats coolDoctors work, bankers hours. PAs average 35 to 40 hours a week, and they can work part time and in a variety of settings.Whats notYoure not the ultimate decision maker on patient treatment theres little room for advancement.Top-paying jobSpecialists in cardiothoracic surgery earn over $100,000.EducationFour years of college, two to three years of training in an accredited program, plus national exam for certification.Related Salary.com Content Modern War for Talent Americas Best Employers The 10 Most Stressful Jobs 6 In-Demand IT Jobs Worth Looking at in 2019 From our trusted Partners From our trusted Partners Home Articles Career Development Choosing a Career The 50 Best Jobs in America