Best Jobs in America 2013

Best Jobs in America

CNNMoney/PayScale's top 100 careers with big growth, great pay and satisfying work.

Rank
Job title
Median pay
10-year
job growth

1 Biomedical Engineer $87,000 61.7%
2 Clinical Nurse Specialist $86,500 26%
3 Software Architect $121,000 27.6%
4 General Surgeon $288,000 24.4%
5 Management Consultant $110,000 21.9%
6 Petroleum Geologist $183,000 21.2%
7 Software Developer $88,700 27.6%
8 IT Configuration Manager $95,800 28.5%
9 Clinical Research Associate $95,100 36.4%
10 Reservoir Engineer $179,000 17%
11 Research Analyst $68,300 41.2%
12 User Interface Engineer $92,100 27.6%
13 Hand Therapist $83,700 39%
14 Database Administrator $88,800 30.6%
15 Video Game Designer $72,000 27.6%
16 Telecommunications Network Engineer $85,900 28.5%
17 Information Assurance Analyst $95,700 22.1%
18 Bank Examiner $103,000 27%
19 Portfolio Manager $121,000 32.1%
20 Compliance Manager $87,200 27%
21 Physician Assistant $96,200 29.5%
22 Applications Engineer $87,000 27.6%
23 Tax Accounting Manager $96,500 14.3%
24 Forensic Accountant $103,000 15.7%
25 Petroleum Engineer $163,000 17%
26 Marketing Consultant $86,600 41.2%
27 Optometrist $108,000 33.1%
28 Business Development Associate $66,900 41.2%
29 Customer Support Manager $85,700 14.3%
30 ERP Consultant $103,000 21.9%
31 Consulting Software Engineer $122,000 27.6%
32 IT Data Scientist $124,000 18.7%
33 Nurse Educator $72,600 17.4%
34 Occupational Therapist $78,100 33.5%
35 Certified Financial Planner $92,800 32.1%
36 Forensic Computer Analyst $103,000 18.6%
37 Pricing Analyst $62,500 41.2%
38 Computer Security Specialist $90,900 22.1%
39 Pediatrician $152,000 24.4%
40 Clinical Applications Specialist $77,800 22.1%
41 Family Physician $172,000 24.4%
42 IT Business Analyst $80,400 22.1%
43 Cost Accounting Manager $85,800 15.7%
44 Physical Therapist $79,400 39%
45 Community Relations Manager $57,200 26.7%
46 Network Manager $87,900 27.8%
47 Informatics Nurse $67,000 22.1%
48 Web Analyst $67,200 22.1%
49 Patent Attorney $175,000 10.1%
50 Investment Manager $118,000 7.9%
51 Corporate Counsel $144,000 10.1%
52 Clinical Documentation Specialist $65,900 16.6%
53 Computer Systems Integrator $84,000 27.8%
54 Actuary $126,000 26.7%
55 Geophysicist $132,000 17.8%
56 Epidemiologist $73,200 23.6%
57 Network Security Analyst $75,000 22.1%
58 Data Management Analyst $69,000 22.1%
59 Major Gifts Officer $74,400 16.4%
60 Software Development Manager $123,000 18.1%
61 Event Coordinator $42,000 43.7%
62 Tax Analyst $65,900 15.7%
63 Certified Public Accountant $75,900 15.7%
64 Bereavement Coordinator $47,800 26.7%
65 IT Training Specialist $66,200 28.3%
66 Curator $50,700 24.8%
67 Biochemist $70,700 30.8%
68 Employee Trainer $71,300 28.3%
69 Database Manager $62,300 30.6%
70 Construction Estimator $65,700 36.4%
71 Compliance Analyst $62,800 27%
72 Auditor $66,500 15.7%
73 Technical Support Engineer $74,800 18.1%
74 Commercial Loan Officer $92,300 14.2%
75 Transportation Engineer $78,200 19.4%
76 Instructional Designer $70,300 19.5%
77 Business Intelligence Manager $108,000 7.9%
78 Software Quality Assurance Manager $105,000 18.1%
79 Grant Coordinator $47,000 26.7%
80 Employment Recruiter $60,600 20.5%
81 Regulatory Affairs Manager $97,000 7.9%
82 Civil Engineer $75,700 19.4%
83 Environmental Health Scientist $66,400 18.7%
84 Geotechnical Engineer $74,600 19.4%
85 Geographic Information Systems Specialist $53,400 22.1%
86 Technical Writer $66,800 17.2%
87 Healthcare Product Manager $109,000 7.9%
88 Community Health Specialist $50,200 36.5%
89 Government Program Manager $94,800 7.9%
90 Community Outreach Coordinator $42,300 26.7%
91 Public Health Educator $46,900 36.5%
92 Environmental Engineer $82,100 21.9%
93 Education Program Manager $55,500 14.9%
94 Career Development Specialist $45,400 20.5%
95 Banking Relationship Manager $91,900 15.2%
96 Licensing Manager $82,500 7.9%
97 Supply Chain Manager $99,200 7.9%
98 Business Development Executive $101,000 16.4%
99 Underwriting Manager $98,800 8.8%
100 Energy Analyst $69,500 18.8%

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Sources: PayScale.com, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and CNNMoney research

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How we picked the best jobs

It's still a tough job market, so when CNNMoney, in partnership with data from PayScale.com, set out to find America's Best Jobs this year, first and foremost we looked for professions that offer great growth opportunities.

Other big factors: pay (how strong it is now, and how fast it's growing), overall job satisfaction, and how many jobs are in the field overall.
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