Median pay: $52,100
Top pay: $71,400
10-year job growth: 13%
Total jobs: 10,000
The job:
There are roughly 250 million websites on the Internet and the most popular way to find them: Google. Competition for the number one spot in Google’s search results is fierce, and a search engine optimization, or SEO, specialist knows how to hone a website’s pages so they will land near the top. Increasingly, organizations are realizing the importance of SEO, making it one of tech's fastest-growing fields. Since the job is largely online-based, you can work from anywhere and create flexible hours.
How to switch:
Search for "SEO training" on Google, and you'll find millions of offers from "certified" experts. A more credible route is to look for classes at your local community college to boost your knowledge and resume. Most importantly, read all you can about this constantly evolving profession on online forums such as forums.seochat.com.
Quality of life ratings:
| Personal satisfaction |
Benefit to society |
Low stress |
Flexibility |
| B |
C |
C |
A |
By Donna Rosato and Tom Ziegler
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