The 30 fastest growing occupations covered in the 2008-2009 Occupational Outlook Handbook

(Numbers in thousands)

Employment change
Occupation 2006-16 significant source of
postsecondary education
Number Percent training (1)

Network systems and data communications .... 140 53.4 Bachelor's degree

Personal and home care aides ............... 389 50.6 Short-term on-the-job
training

Home health aides .......................... 384 48.7 Short-term on-the-job
training

Computer software engineers, applications .. 226 44.6 Bachelor's degree

Veterinary technologists and technicians ... 29 41.0 Associate degree

Personal financial advisors ................ 72 41.0 Bachelor's degree

Makeup artists, theatrical and performance . 1 39.8 Postsecondary vocational


Medical assistants ......................... 148 35.4 Moderate-term on-the-
training

Veterinarians .............................. 22 35.0 professional degree

Substance abuse and behavioral disorder
counselors ................................ 29 34.3 Bachelor's degree

Skin care specialists ...................... 13 34.3 Postsecondary vocational


Financial analysts ......................... 75 33.8 Bachelor's degree

Social and human service assistants ........ 114 33.6 Moderate-term on-the-
training

Gaming surveillance officers and gaming Moderate-term on-the-
investigators ............................. 3 33.6 training

Physical therapist assistants .............. 20 32.4 Associate degree

Pharmacy technicians ....................... 91 32.0 Moderate-term on-the-
training

Forensic science technicians ................ 4 30.7 Bachelor's degree

Dental hygienists ........................... 50 30.1 Associate degree

Mental health counselors .................... 30 30.0 Master's degree

Mental health and substance abuse social
workers .................................... 37 29.9 Master's degree


Marriage and family therapists .............. 7 29.8 Master's degree

Dental assistants ........................... 82 29.2 Moderate-term on-the-
training

Computer systems analysts ................... 146 29.0 Bachelor's degree

Database administrators ..................... 34 28.6 Bachelor's degree

Computer software engineers, systems
software ................................... 99 28.2 Bachelor's degree

Gaming and sports book writers and runners .. 5 28.0 Short-term on-the-job
training

Environmental science and protection
technicians, including health............... 10 28.0 Associate degree

Manicurists and pedicurists ................. 22 27.6 Postsecondary vocational


Physical therapists ......................... 47 27.1 Master's degree

Physician assistants ........................ 18 27.0 Master's degree