Best jobs for saving the world

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16. Personal Trainer

best jobs, jobs helping others, personal trainer
Median pay: $52,600
Top pay: $136,000
10-year job growth: 29%
Total jobs: 30,000
The job: Trainers don't just help people get chiseled bodies -- they inspire them to live healthier lifestyles. You lead by example, showing clients the benefits of better eating and exercise habits. If you want to help people achieve their personal best, this in-demand job is for you. Big companies are investing in fitness programs to keep their employees healthy, while aging baby boomers are looking for ways to stay in shape.

How to switch: You don't need six-pack abs, but you should live a healthy and active lifestyle. A background in physical education, health or nutrition can be beneficial. Various organizations, including the American Council on Exercise and National Academy of Sports Medicine, offer certification. Get more info at acefitness.org and nasm.org.

Quality of life ratings:
Personal satisfaction Benefit to society Low stress Flexibility
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Do Personal Trainers 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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