BrainTrack Career Resources
BrainTrack's Career Guide helps visitors evaluate career options and find schools. The guide offers data on hundreds of careers that typically require higher education for entry or advancement and features links to thousands of schools.
See below for quick summaries of each career (1). Follow the hyperlinked careers to explore original career profiles created by BrainTrack staff, each reviewing a career in detail and listing schools offering relevant programs.
Note: Occupations are sorted by the quantity of jobs in each major category.
Allied Health [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health Aides | 955,000 | 50% | 35% | 8% | |
| Medical Assistants | 496,000 | 34% | 54% | 12% | |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 332,000 | 31% | 53% | 17% | |
| Dental Assistants | 294,000 | 36% | 54% | 10% | |
| Pharmacists | 268,000 | 17% | 2% | 97% | |
| EMT And Paramedics | 218,000 | 9% | 66% | 15% | |
| Radiologic Tech | 214,000 | 17% | 67% | 24% | |
| Dental Hygienists | 174,000 | 36% | 62% | 35% | |
| Medical Lab Technologists | 167,000 | 12% | 36% | 52% | |
| Medical Lab Technicians | 152,000 | 16% | 36% | 52% | |
| Respiratory Therapists | 107,000 | 21% | 69% | 28% | |
| Occupational Therapists | 98,000 | 26% | 10% | 90% | |
| Surgical Technologists | 91,000 | 25% | 53% | 17% | |
| Dietitians And Nutritionists | 53,000 | 9% | 14% | 66% | |
| Pharmacy Aides | 52,000 | -5% | 54% | 12% | |
| Sonographers | 52,000 | 18% | 67% | 24% | |
| Cardiovascular Techs | 48,000 | 24% | 67% | 24% | |
| Dental Laboratory Technicians | 40,000 | 14% | 45% | 15% | |
| Recreational Therapists | 22,000 | 15% | 16% | 69% | |
| Radiation Therapists | 16,000 | 27% | 52% | 44% | |
| Athletic Trainers | 15,000 | 37% | 25% | 62% | |
| Respiratory Therapy Technicians | 15,000 | 0% | 53% | 17% |
More: See all Allied Health occupations
Arts And Entertainment [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialists | 243,000 | 24% | 16% | 77% | |
| Coaches | 180,000 | 25% | 26% | 60% | |
| Photographers | 58,000 | 12% | 37% | 47% | |
| Reporters | 46,000 | -7% | 13% | 83% | |
| Multimedia Artists | 29,000 | 14% | 30% | 56% | |
| Broadcast News Analysts | 6,000 | 4% | 13% | 83% |
More: See all Arts And Entertainment occupations
Business [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeping And Accounting Clerks | 1,758,000 | 10% | 49% | 15% | |
| Accountants | 1,107,000 | 22% | 19% | 75% | |
| Management Analysts | 553,000 | 24% | 17% | 76% | |
| Health Services Managers | 272,000 | 16% | 29% | 61% | |
| Financial Analysts | 235,000 | 20% | 13% | 82% | |
| Market Research Analysts | 226,000 | 28% | 17% | 78% | |
| Employment Specialists | 198,000 | 28% | 32% | 53% | |
| Logisticians | 100,000 | 20% | 39% | 43% | |
| Insurance Underwriters | 98,000 | -3% | 31% | 50% | |
| Compensation And Benefits Managers | 36,000 | 9% | 29% | 56% | |
| Training And Development Managers | 29,000 | 12% | 29% | 56% | |
| Emergency Management Specialists | 13,000 | 22% | 35% | 48% |
More: See all Business occupations
Community And Social Services [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Service Assistants | 344,000 | 23% | 31% | 52% | |
| Family And School Social Workers | 278,000 | 12% | 16% | 76% | |
| Educational Counselors | 251,000 | 14% | 16% | 75% | |
| Medical And Public Health Social Workers | 134,000 | 22% | 16% | 76% | |
| Mental Health And Substance Abuse Social Workers | 127,000 | 20% | 16% | 76% | |
| Social Service Managers | 114,000 | 14% | 22% | 67% | |
| Mental Health Counselors | 107,000 | 24% | 16% | 75% | |
| Substance Abuse And Behavioral Counselors | 78,000 | 21% | 16% | 75% | |
| Clergy | 43,000 | 13% | 16% | 74% | |
| Marriage And Family Therapists | 26,000 | 14% | 16% | 75% |
More: See all Community And Social Services occupations
Computer [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Support Specialists | 541,000 | 14% | 45% | 41% | |
| Systems Analysts | 513,000 | 20% | 28% | 66% | |
| Software Engineers For Applications | 496,000 | 34% | 15% | 82% | |
| Software Engineers For Systems | 385,000 | 30% | 15% | 82% | |
| Computer Programmers | 368,000 | -2% | 24% | 70% | |
| Network Admins | 339,000 | 23% | 41% | 50% | |
| Computer Systems Managers | 287,000 | 17% | 25% | 70% | |
| Network And Communications Analysts | 226,000 | 53% | 35% | 56% | |
| Database Administrators | 108,000 | 20% | 26% | 69% | |
| Operations Research Analysts | 61,000 | 22% | 26% | 67% |
More: See all Computer occupations
Construction [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supervisors Of Construction And Extraction Workers | 532,000 | 15% | 31% | 11% |
More: See all Construction occupations
Culinary [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant Cooks | 899,000 | 8% | 19% | 5% | |
| Food Service Managers | 190,000 | 5% | 35% | 24% | |
| Chefs | 94,000 | 0% | 36% | 13% |
More: See all Culinary occupations
Design [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designers | 201,000 | 13% | 34% | 51% | |
| Interior Designers | 46,000 | 19% | 34% | 51% | |
| Industrial Designers | 29,000 | 9% | 34% | 51% | |
| Fashion Designers | 16,000 | 1% | 34% | 51% |
More: See all Design occupations
Education [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers | 1,544,000 | 16% | 5% | 94% | |
| Teacher Assistants | 1,275,000 | 10% | 45% | 19% | |
| Secondary School Teachers | 1,092,000 | 9% | 4% | 95% | |
| Middle School Teachers | 665,000 | 15% | 5% | 94% | |
| Preschool Teachers | 390,000 | 19% | 38% | 44% | |
| Preschool And Elementary School Special Education Teachers | 229,000 | 20% | 10% | 85% | |
| Elementary And Secondary School Administrators | 219,000 | 9% | 14% | 80% | |
| Kindergarten Teachers | 182,000 | 15% | 38% | 44% | |
| Librarians | 151,000 | 8% | 15% | 83% |
More: See all Education occupations
Engineering [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineers | 259,000 | 24% | 12% | 85% | |
| Mechanical Engineers | 233,000 | 6% | 22% | 73% | |
| Industrial Engineers | 209,000 | 14% | 24% | 68% | |
| Engineering Managers | 178,000 | 6% | 13% | 82% | |
| Electrical Engineers | 152,000 | 2% | 18% | 78% | |
| Electronics Engineers | 136,000 | 0% | 18% | 78% | |
| Architects | 102,000 | 16% | 10% | 88% | |
| Aerospace Engineers | 71,000 | 10% | 14% | 83% | |
| Computer Hardware Engineers | 65,000 | 4% | 22% | 72% |
More: See all Engineering occupations
Farming Fishing And Forestry [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Inspectors | 14,000 | 13% | 33% | 30% |
More: See all Farming Fishing And Forestry occupations
Hospitality And Travel [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Agents | 77,000 | 0% | 44% | 34% | |
| Meeting And Convention Planners | 52,000 | 16% | 30% | 59% | |
| Lodging Managers | 32,000 | 5% | 35% | 39% |
Installation And Repair [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HVAC Mechanics And Installers | 244,000 | 28% | 39% | 5% | |
| Medical Equipment Repairers | 35,000 | 27% | 54% | 19% |
More: See all Installation And Repair occupations
Legal [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawyers | 557,000 | 13% | 1% | 98% | |
| Paralegals | 247,000 | 28% | 45% | 40% | |
| Legal Secretaries | 244,000 | 18% | 48% | 17% |
More: See all Legal occupations
Management [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Managers | 1,690,000 | 0% | 32% | 49% | |
| Chief Executives | 298,000 | 0% | 23% | 64% | |
| Administrative Services Managers | 244,000 | 12% | 41% | 38% | |
| Marketing Managers | 169,000 | 12% | 24% | 66% | |
| Public Relations Managers | 53,000 | 13% | 20% | 70% | |
| Advertising Managers | 36,000 | -1% | 18% | 73% |
More: See all Management occupations
Massage And Physical Therapy [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapists | 174,000 | 30% | 9% | 89% | |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 64,000 | 33% | 66% | 20% | |
| Massage Therapists | 56,000 | 19% | 51% | 31% | |
| Occupational Therapist Assistants | 27,000 | 30% | 84% | 13% |
More: See all Massage And Physical Therapy occupations
Mechanic [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auto Mechanics | 607,000 | 5% | 31% | 4% | |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | 276,000 | 7% | 38% | 6% | |
| Automotive Body Repairers | 133,000 | 0% | 21% | 3% | |
| Aircraft Mechanics | 112,000 | 6% | 57% | 12% |
More: See all Mechanic occupations
Medical [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Practitioners | 99,000 | * | * | * | |
| Clinical Psychologists | 98,000 | 11% | 1% | 99% | |
| General Dentists | 86,000 | 15% | 1% | 99% | |
| Internists | 48,000 | * | * | * | |
| Surgeons | 45,000 | * | * | * | |
| Psychiatrists | 22,000 | * | * | * | |
| OBGYN | 20,000 | * | * | * |
More: See all Medical occupations
Medical Office [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Secretaries | 470,000 | 27% | 48% | 17% | |
| Medical Records And Health Information Technicians | 171,000 | 20% | 48% | 15% | |
| Medical Transcriptionists | 83,000 | 11% | 54% | 12% |
Nursing [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurses | 2,584,000 | 22% | 43% | 56% | |
| Nursing Aides And Attendants | 1,438,000 | 19% | 35% | 8% | |
| LPNs | 729,000 | 21% | 71% | 7% |
More: See all Nursing occupations
Office Support [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Representatives | 2,196,000 | 18% | 43% | 22% | |
| Secretaries | 1,798,000 | 5% | 48% | 17% | |
| Supervisors Of Office Workers | 1,381,000 | 11% | 42% | 29% | |
| Executive Secretaries And Administrative Assistants | 1,361,000 | 13% | 48% | 17% | |
| Desktop Publishers | 23,000 | -22% | 43% | 30% |
More: See all Office Support occupations
Personal Care And Service [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal And Home Care Aides | 631,000 | 46% | 31% | 11% | |
| Child Care Workers | 596,000 | 11% | 34% | 13% | |
| Hairdressers And Cosmetologists | 349,000 | 20% | 38% | 7% | |
| Manicurists And Pedicurists | 53,000 | 19% | 29% | 12% |
More: See all Personal Care And Service occupations
Production [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supervisors Of Production And Operating Workers | 606,000 | -4% | 33% | 15% | |
| Machinists | 381,000 | -4% | 36% | 4% | |
| Computer Controlled Machine Tool Operators | 130,000 | 7% | 41% | 6% |
More: See all Production occupations
Protective Service [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Police And Sheriffs Patrol Officers | 642,000 | 9% | 51% | 32% | |
| Correctional Officers And Jailers | 455,000 | 9% | 49% | 12% | |
| Detectives And Criminal Investigators | 110,000 | 17% | 38% | 52% | |
| Supervisors Of Police And Detectives | 100,000 | 8% | 46% | 38% | |
| Probation Officers | 93,000 | 19% | 31% | 52% |
More: See all Protective Service occupations
Sales [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales Managers | 329,000 | 15% | 24% | 66% | |
| Securities And Financial Services Sales Agents | 272,000 | 9% | 24% | 65% |
More: See all Sales occupations
Science [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemists | 80,000 | 2% | 7% | 92% | |
| Physicists | 14,000 | 16% | 6% | 94% | |
| Sociologists | 4,000 | 22% | 11% | 88% |
More: See all Science occupations
Technician [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical And Electronic Technicians | 154,000 | -1% | 56% | 17% | |
| Architectural And Civil Drafters | 105,000 | 9% | 61% | 25% | |
| Mechanical Drafters | 72,000 | 0% | 61% | 25% | |
| Mechanical Engineering Technicians | 44,000 | 0% | 56% | 17% | |
| Electrical And Electronics Drafters | 31,000 | 1% | 61% | 25% |
More: See all Technician occupations
Transportation [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilots | 29,000 | 19% | 21% | 72% |
More: See all Transportation occupations
Veterinary [ Top ]
| Occupation | Jobs | Growth '08-'18 | Low - Median - High | Some College | Bachelor Degree+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vet Techs | 79,000 | 36% | 53% | 17% |
More: See all Veterinary occupations
1 - Based on US Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) data. BrainTrack has listed a selection of several hundred occupations that commonly require formal education beyond high school for entry or advancement and that are usually in-demand due to job growth and turnover. Growth for 2008-2018 represents a forecast in percentage change in number of jobs over that 10 year period. For typical annual pay ranges the low range value represents the 10th percentile where 10% of workers make equal to or less than that value. High range values are 90th percentile. Pay values are in thousands of dollars per year, where k represents thousands. An asterisk (*) is noted where data is not available.
