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Fastest Growing Occupations

Among all occupations in the economy, healthcare occupations are expected to make up 7 of the 20 fastest growing occupations, the largest proportion of any occupational group. These 7 healthcare occupations, in addition to exhibiting high growth rates, will add nearly 750,000 new jobs between 2006 and 2016. Other occupational groups that have more than one occupation in the 20 fastest growing occupations are computer occupations, personal care and service occupations, community and social services occupations, and business and financial operations occupations. High growth rates among occupations in the top 20 fastest growing occupations reflect projected rapid growth in the health care and social assistance industries and the professional, scientific, and technical services industries.

Occupations Projected to Grow Fastest, 2006-2016

Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts
Personal and Home Care Aides
Home Health Aides
Computer Software Engineers, Applications
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Personal Finance Advisors
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Medical Assistants
Veterinarians
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
Skin Care Specialists
Financial Analysts
Social and Human Service Assistants
Gaming Surveillance Officers and Gaming Investigators
Physical Therapist Assistants
Pharmacy Technicians
Forensic Science Technicians
Dental Hygienists
Mental Health Counselors
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

The 20 occupations listed below will account for more than one-third of all new jobs, 6.6 million combined, over the 2006-2016 period. The occupations with the largest numerical increases cover a wider range of occupational categories than do those occupations with the fastest growth rates. Health occupations will account for some of these increases in employment, as will occupations in education, sales, and food service. Occupations in office and administrative services will grow by 1.7 million jobs, one-fourth of the job growth among the 20 occupations with the largest job growth. Many of the occupations listed below are very large, and will create more new jobs than will those with high growth rates. Only 3 out of the 20 fastest growing occupations—home health aides, personal and home care aides, and computer software application engineers—also are projected to be among the 20 occupations with the largest numerical increases in employment.