The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts these occupations, which require only on-the-job training or work experience, will grow faster, through 2018, than all other occupations with similar requirements. The median wage is shown here to give you an idea of what you might earn if you worked in these fields. Earnings vary by employer and depend on factors including level of experience and training, and location. Use the
Salary Wizard at Salary.com to learn about salaries and wages where you live and work.
Sources:
CareerOneStop, Fastest-Growing Occupations
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011
O*NET OnLine
Home health aides provide basic care for people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, cognitive impairments or who have age-related problems. Employment of home health aides is projected to grow by 50% through 2018. Home health aides earned a median annual salary of $20,460 and a median hourly wage of $9.84 in 2008.
Home care aides, sometimes called personal care aides or companions, help elderly or disabled clients with activities of daily living, including personal hygiene, meal preparation, laundry and housekeeping. We can expect to see a 46% increase in the employment of home care aides through 2018. Home care aides earned a median annual salary of $19,180 and median hourly wages of $9.22 in 2008.
Physical therapist aides, sometimes called physical therapy aides, help make therapy sessions productive. Employment of phyical therapist aides is expected to increase by 36% through 2018. Physical therapist aides earned a median annual salary of $23,760 and median hourly wages of $11.42.
Dental assistants perform duties that may include patient care, laboratory work and office work. There is expected to be a 36% growth in employment of dental assistants through 2018. Dental assistants earned a median hourly wage of $15.57 and a median annual salary of $32,380 in 2008.
Medical assistants perform administrative duties in physicians' offices. They may also perform some clinical duties as allowed by individual state laws. Employment in this field is expected to grow by 34% through 2018. Medical assistants earned median hourly wages of $13.60 and a median annual salary of $28,300 in 2008.
Self-enrichment teachers instruct students in a variety of subjects that generally aren't part of a required curriculum. Students who take self-enrichment classes are interested in learning about these subjects for self-improvement or for fun. Employment in this field is expected to grow by 32% through 2018. Self-enrichment teachers earned median hourly wages of $17.17 and a median annual salary of $35,720 in 2008.
A compliance officer's job is to make sure an entity is conforming with, or eligible for, contractual obligations, government regulations, laws, or licenses and permits. There is expected to be a 31% increase in the employment of compliance officers through 2018. Compliance officers earned median hourly wages of $23.50 and a median annual salary of $48,890 in 2008.
Occupational therapist aides prepare materials and equipment used during patients' occupational therapy sessions. They also perform clerical duties. Employment in this field is expected to grow by 31% through 2018. Occupational therapist aides' median annual earnings were $26,960 and their median hourly wages were $12.96 in 2008.
Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists with the preparation of prescription medications for customers. They perform tasks that range from receiving written prescriptions to counting pills and labeling bottles. We can expect to see a 31% growth in employment in this field through 2018. Pharmacy technicians earned median hourly wages of $13.32 and a median annual salary of $27,710 in 2008.
Medical secretaries perform clerical duties in medical offices, utilizing their knowledge of medical terminology, insurance rules and medical billing procedures. Employment in this field is expected to grow by 27% through 2018. Medical secretaries earned median hourly wages of $14.27 and a median annual salary of $29,680 in 2008.
