Careers in healthcare, technology and management ranked among the most promising choices in the next decade, according to analysis of employment data by the Wall Street Journal.
The Journal analyzed employment projection data released by the U.S. Labor Department. It gathered data on median wages and projected annual openings, averaging the two metrics to determine a career's ranking.
Here are the 20 most promising careers in the coming decade:
1. General and operations managers
• 2018 median salary: $100,930
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 230,000
2. Financial managers
• 2018 median salary: $127,990
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 64,900
3. Managers, all other
• 2018 median salary: $107,480
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 91,300
4. Software developers, applications
• 2018 median salary: $103,620
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 99,200
5. Lawyers
• 2018 median salary: $120,910
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 45,700
6. Computer and information systems managers
• 2018 median salary: $142,530
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 38,800
7. Sales managers
• 2018 median salary: $124,220
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 39,000
8. Management analysts
• 2018 median salary: $83,610
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 99,900
9. Software developers
• 2018 median salary: $110,000
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 35,400
10. Medical and health services managers
• 2018 median salary: $99,730
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 42,200
11. Marketing managers
• 2018 median salary: $134,290
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 26,000
12. Computer systems analyst
• 2018 median salary: $88,740
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 53,400
13. Registered nurses
• 2018 median salary: $71,730
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 210,400
14. Construction managers
• 2018 median salary: $93,370
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 40,200
15. Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
• 2018 median salary: $97,370
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 29,400
16. Computer occupations, all other
• 2018 median salary: $90,270
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 35,700
17. Chief executives
• 2018 median salary: $189,600
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 16,800
18. Physicians and surgeons, all other
• 2018 median salary: $200,890
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 16,500
19. Accountants and auditors
• 2018 median salary: $70,500
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 146,000
20. Administrative services managers
• 2018 median salary: $96,180
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 28,100