Here are the fastest growing jobs that require a master's degree or a doctorate degree. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts these jobs will grow faster than all other occupations through 2014. For more Information:
1. Physical Therapist
Physical therapists (PTs) provide services that restore patients' functions, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities. Employment of physical therapists is expected grow by 37% through 2014. Median annual earnings were $61,600 in 2004. Median hourly earnings were $29.60. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much physical therapists currently earn in your city. Physical therapists have either a master's or a doctoral degree.
2. Medical Scientist (Except Epidemiologist)
Medical scientists (except epidemiologists) generally have master's degrees. They conduct research about human diseases, but do not practice medicine. Employment of medical scientists (except epidemiologists) is expected to grow by 34% between 2004 and 2014. The median annual salary in this field was $60,200 in 2004. The median hourly salary in that year was just over $21. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much medical scientists currently earn in your city. Medical scientists (except epidemiologists) must have Ph.Ds.
3. Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists (OTs) help people who have disabling conditions improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments. There is expected to be a 34% growth in employment of occupational therapists between 2004 and 2014. Occupational therapists earned a median annual salary of $55,600 in 2004 and a median hourly wage of $26.75. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much occupational therapists currently earn in your city. Beginning in 2007, new occupational therapists must have at least a master’s degree.
4. Postsecondary Teacher
Postsecondary teachers instruct students above the high school level. They work in colleges, universities, and career, trade and technical schools. Included are faculty members and graduate assistants. Employment of postsecondary teachers is expected to see a 32% increase through 2014. Median yearly earnings in this field are $51,800 and vary by rank, field of study, type of institution, and geographic area. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much postsecondary teachers currently earn in your city. A doctoral degree is required to have this job.
5. Hydrologist
"Hydrologists study the quantity, distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters," according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Employment in this field is expected to grow by 32% through 2014. Median annual earnings of hydrologists were $60,900 in 2004. Median hourly earnings were $29.27. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much hydrologists currently earn in your city. Those working in this job have master's degrees.
6. Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors help those who have problems with drug, alcohol and gambling addictions and with eating disorders. There is expected to be a 29% increase in employment in this field through 2014. Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors earned a median annual salary of $32,600 or a median hourly wage of $15.69 in 2004. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors currently earn in your city. To work in this job you must have a master's degree.
7. Instructional Coordinator
An instructional coordinator's job is to improve the quality of education in the classroom. Instructional coordinators also are called curriculum specialists, staff development specialists, or directors of instructional material. Employment in this field is expected to increase by 28% through 2014. Median annual earnings were $50,100 in 2004. Median hourly wages were just over $24. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much instructional coordinators currently earn in your city. To work in this job you must have a master's degree.
8. Mental Health Counselor
Mental health counselors address and treat mental and emotional disorders and promote optimum mental health. Employment of mental health counselors is expected to grow by 27% through 2014. The median annual salary was $33,400 in 2004 and the median hourly wage was just over $16. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much mental health counselors currently earn in your city. To work in this occupation you must have a master's degree.
9. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker
Mental health and substance abuse social workers provide individual and group therapy, outreach, crisis intervention, social rehabilitation, and training in skills of everyday living to those with substance abuse issues. We can expect to see a 27% growth in employment through 2014. The median annual salary was $34,300 in 2004 and median hourly wages were $16.50. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much mental health and substance abuse social workers currently earn in your city. A master's degree is required for this job.
10. Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, "investigate and describe the determinants of disease, disability, and other health outcomes and develops the means for prevention and control." There is expected to be a 26% increase in employment of epidemiologists. Median annual earnings were $52,500 in 2004. Median hourly wages were $25.25. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much epidemiologists currently earn in your city. A master's degree is required to have this job.
