Fastest Growing Occupations

Below is a list of the fastest growing occupations requiring Post-Secondary Training or an Associate's Degree. Information provided by America's Career InfoNet.

#	Occupation	Employment		Percent change	Most significant source of education or training
#	Occupation	2002	2012	Percent change	Most significant source of education or training
1	Medical records and health information technicians	146,900	215,600	47%	Associate degree
2	Physical therapist assistants	50,200	72,600	45%	Associate degree
3	Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors	182,700	263,900	44%	Postsecondary vocational award
4	Veterinary technologists and technicians	52,700	75,900	44%	Associate degree
5	Dental hygienists	148,000	211,700	43%	Associate degree
6	Occupational therapist assistants	18,500	25,700	39%	Associate degree
7	Environmental science and protection technicians, including health	27,600	37,700	37%	Associate degree
8	Preschool teachers, except special education	423,600	576,900	36%	Postsecondary vocational award
9	Respiratory therapists	85,800	115,600	35%	Associate degree
10	Respiratory therapy technicians	26,400	35,500	34%	Postsecondary vocational award
11	Cardiovascular technologists and technicians	43,400	57,900	34%	Associate degree
12	Emergency medical technicians and paramedics	179,100	238,400	33%	Postsecondary vocational award
13	Radiation therapists	13,500	17,800	32%	Associate degree
14	Computer support specialists	506,900	660,300	30%	Associate degree
15	Security and fire alarm systems installers	46,300	60,300	30%	Postsecondary vocational award
16	Desktop publishers	35,000	45,200	29%	Postsecondary vocational award
17	Paralegals and legal assistants	199,600	256,900	29%	Associate degree
18	Environmental engineering technicians	19,100	24,500	28%	Associate degree
19	Surgical technologists	72,200	92,400	28%	Postsecondary vocational award
20	Registered nurses	2,284,500	2,907,600	27%	Associate degree
21	Massage therapists	92,100	117,000	27%	Postsecondary vocational award
22	Sound engineering technicians	12,800	16,100	25%	Postsecondary vocational award
23	Gaming dealers	77,900	97,100	25%	Postsecondary vocational award
24	Gaming and sports book writers and runners	14,100	17,500	24%	Postsecondary vocational award
25	Diagnostic medical sonographers	36,500	45,300	24%	Associate degree

26	Nuclear medicine technologists	17,100	21,200	24%	Associate degree
27	Radiologic technologists and technicians	174,100	214,100	23%	Associate degree
28	Manicurists and pedicurists	51,000	62,600	23%	Postsecondary vocational award
29	Medical transcriptionists	100,800	123,600	23%	Postsecondary vocational award
30	Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses	701,900	843,700	20%	Postsecondary vocational award
31	Medical and clinical laboratory technicians	147,500	176,100	19%	Associate degree
32	Skin care specialists	24,900	29,800	19%	Postsecondary vocational award
33	Biological technicians	47,900	57,200	19%	Associate degree
34	Forensic science technicians	8,400	10,000	19%	Associate degree
35	Legal secretaries	263,700	313,400	19%	Postsecondary vocational award
36	Makeup artists, theatrical and performance	1,600	1,900	18%	Postsecondary vocational award
37	Appraisers and assessors of real estate	88,200	103,800	18%	Postsecondary vocational award
38	Medical secretaries	339,500	397,900	17%	Postsecondary vocational award
39	Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers	156,300	179,800	15%	Postsecondary vocational award
40	Commercial pilots	21,100	24,200	15%	Postsecondary vocational award
41	Medical equipment repairers	28,800	33,000	15%	Associate degree
42	Slot key persons	21,000	24,100	15%	Postsecondary vocational award
43	Electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles	18,100	20,700	15%	Postsecondary vocational award
44	Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists	585,400	671,300	15%	Postsecondary vocational award
45	Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists	267,200	305,000	14%	Postsecondary vocational award
46	Court reporters	17,800	20,100	13%	Postsecondary vocational award
47	Automotive service technicians and mechanics	818,200	919,400	12%	Postsecondary vocational award
48	Electro-mechanical technicians	31,400	35,000	12%	Associate degree
49	Broadcast technicians	35,400	39,400	11%	Associate degree
50	Mechanical engineering technicians	55,100	61,200	11%	Associate degree

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