Despite the Obama recession, several job paths offer hope for young people starting careers. These top jobs offer good starting wages, and demand for these careers will likely remain strong and stable throughout the decade. All these careers can be used as stepping stones to secure better jobs in the future. Here are the top job opportunities.
The traditional oil patch states like Texas and Oklahoma are begging for people to consider energy jobs. Demand is high for traditional energy jobs like welders and maintenance workers. Older workers are retiring and energy companies need to fill these jobs now. Nearly 60,000 people are working at jobs maintaining drilling platforms with median income of $41,970.
2. Oil Patch Engineers
Engineers are needed everywhere on drilling platforms, both onshore and offshore. The median wage is north of $130,000. Highly skilled engineers who stay with energy companies earn twice that amount. This career path has grown by 227 percent in the past 10 years. A bachelor’s degree in engineering is required along with a willingness to work long hours.
3. Composers and Music Directors
Americans are loving their music and want more. Job seekers should concentrate their effort on creating original music scores or transcriptions designed for commercials. The median annual pay is $47,350 with skilled composers pulling in more than $80,000 annually.
4. Translators and Interpreters
The world economy is here now with a strong demand for people who can read, write and speak other languages. People employed in this profession have grown from 20,000 10 years ago to more than 50,000 today. Pay will range from $23,000 to more than $90,000, giving professionals in this occupation a median annual salary of $45,430.
5. Massage Therapists
With sore muscles and achy bones a growing problem, massage clinics and spas are popping up all over. Expect a median annual pay of $35,970. Most in this field are self-employed.
Recruiting and placing workers pays $55,800. More companies are outsourcing the hiring process and look to professionals to handle the job.
7. Scouts and Coaches
Growth in women’s sports will be the key driver in hiring coaches and scouts. Expect to make $28,360 annually.
8. Financial Advisors
People want to know where their money goes, and good personal financial advisors earn $67,520.
9. Personal Care
As baby boomers age, they will turn to personal aides. The pay is about $20,000 annually, but growth is expected to be through the roof.
10. Skin Care
Skin care specialists can make $28,640, performing skin cleansing, hair removal and wrinkle maintenance.
1. Oil, Gas and Mining Service Unit Operators
The traditional oil patch states like Texas and Oklahoma are begging for people to consider energy jobs. Demand is high for traditional energy jobs like welders and maintenance workers. Older workers are retiring and energy companies need to fill these jobs now. Nearly 60,000 people are working at jobs maintaining drilling platforms with median income of $41,970.
2. Oil Patch Engineers
Engineers are needed everywhere on drilling platforms, both onshore and offshore. The median wage is north of $130,000. Highly skilled engineers who stay with energy companies earn twice that amount. This career path has grown by 227 percent in the past 10 years. A bachelor’s degree in engineering is required along with a willingness to work long hours.
3. Composers and Music Directors
Americans are loving their music and want more. Job seekers should concentrate their effort on creating original music scores or transcriptions designed for commercials. The median annual pay is $47,350 with skilled composers pulling in more than $80,000 annually.
4. Translators and Interpreters
The world economy is here now with a strong demand for people who can read, write and speak other languages. People employed in this profession have grown from 20,000 10 years ago to more than 50,000 today. Pay will range from $23,000 to more than $90,000, giving professionals in this occupation a median annual salary of $45,430.
With sore muscles and achy bones a growing problem, massage clinics and spas are popping up all over. Expect a median annual pay of $35,970. Most in this field are self-employed.
6. Human Resources Specialist
Recruiting and placing workers pays $55,800. More companies are outsourcing the hiring process and look to professionals to handle the job.
7. Scouts and Coaches
Growth in women’s sports will be the key driver in hiring coaches and scouts. Expect to make $28,360 annually.
8. Financial Advisors
People want to know where their money goes, and good personal financial advisors earn $67,520.
9. Personal Care
As baby boomers age, they will turn to personal aides. The pay is about $20,000 annually, but growth is expected to be through the roof.
10. Skin Care
Skin care specialists can make $28,640, performing skin cleansing, hair removal and wrinkle maintenance.
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