Best jobs for the long run

Jobs: Product, manufacturing, quality, electrical, mechanical and design engineers; HR, finance and environmental health and safety pros

Even though the automotive industry is shrinking, technical advances in cars and the need for engineers who mastermind them are not. The industry is projecting a shortage of 1 million engineers by 2010, said Sherri Buckner, managing director of Management Recruiters of Person County, N.C.

While the industry's overall production is down from a year ago, it's still strong at BMW, Toyota and Hyundai, Buckner said. And whenever any automaker wants to launch a new product, engineers at the automaker and at the automaker's suppliers are in hot demand.

But it's not just engineering majors who are desired. There is also steady need for those who majored in business, accounting, liberal arts, social work or environmental sciences to fill accounting, human resource and environmental health and safety positions.

Those same majors along with their engineering colleagues also will find most of their skills easily transferable to positions in the growing fields of medical device and pharmaceutical supply manufacturing, Buckner said.

"Talented job seekers are in the driver's seat," Buckner said. And the most desirable candidates are those with a good education, some work experience in the field and a willingness to be coached.

Engineer pay: $45,000-$50,000 in the Southeast to start; $55,000-$65,000 after five to eight years

HR pay: To start in Southeast, $40,000-$45,000; after 5 years, $55,000

Environmental pay: To start in Southeast, $50,000; after 8 years, $60,000-$65,000

Accountant pay: To start in Southeast, $40,00-$45,000; after 5 years $50,000-$60,000

Correction: An earlier version of this article contained a misspelling of Sherri Buckner's last name. CNNMoney.com regrets the error.