Best jobs for fast growth

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14. Systems Administrator

best jobs, fast growing, software development engineer
Median pay: $63,600
Top pay: $88,800
10-year job growth: 23%
Total jobs: 70,000
The job: It may not be the sexiest job, but companies rely heavily on systems administrators to oversee their computer networks and make sure that every component – from the computers to the network itself – is humming along. Given the corporate world's reliance on such systems, demand is high for systems administrators. With the responsibility, often comes long hours and being on call virtually all the time.

How to switch: Even though a strong understanding of IT is required, there is no set path to this position. Job applicants with a relevant degree in computer science or information systems or those certified as a project management professional or Microsoft's certified systems engineer typically have an edge.

Quality of life ratings:
Personal satisfaction Benefit to society Low stress Flexibility
B C C B


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Do Systems Administrators have great jobs, or what?
From the November 2011 issue
Notes: All pay data from PayScale.com. Median pay is for an experienced worker (at least two to seven years in the field). Top pay represents the 90th percentile. Job growth is estimated for 2008-18. Total current employment level is estimated number of people working in each specific job.

Sources: PayScale.com, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and MONEY research
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Using Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts for 7,000 titles, MONEY and compensation experts PayScale.com identified jobs requiring a bachelor's degree that have strong growth prospects, and eliminated any with fewer than 10,000 positions nationwide, plus those requiring advanced degrees that take more than three years. More

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