Best Jobs for Any Education Level

Laura Morsch,
CareerBuilder.com

Thinking about going back to school and getting a degree to land your dream job? While more education can make you more marketable, it doesn't guarantee job security. Before you register for classes, it's smart to make sure your job will still be in demand upon graduation.

The fastest-growing jobs in the United States span across all education levels, from short-term on-the-job training to more than eight years of post-high school class work. Here are the three fastest-growing jobs by education level – and what they pay – from the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data:

First professional degree
First professional degrees are required to practice in certain professions, and usually require a total of at least six years of academic work, including the bachelor's degree.

# Pharmacists – Median annual pay $84,900

# Veterinarians – $66,590

# Chiropractors – $69,910


Doctoral degree
Doctoral degrees are the highest degree of graduate study and usually require at least three to five years of academic work beyond the master's degree.

# Postsecondary teachers – Pay varies by subject taught.

# Computer and information scientists, research – $85,190

# Medical scientists, except epidemiologists – $61,320


Master's degree
Master's degrees usually require at least one but no more than two years of full-time academic work beyond the bachelor's degree.

# Physical therapists – $60,180

# Mental health and substance abuse social workers – $33,920

# Rehabilitation counselors – $27,870


Bachelor's or higher degree, plus work experience

# Computer and information systems managers – $92,570

# Education administrators, elementary and secondary – $92,570

# Sales managers – $84,220


Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degrees usually require four years of full-time academic work beyond high school.
# Network systems and data communication analysts – $60,600

# Physician assistants – $69,410

# Computer software engineers, applications – $74,980

Associate degree
Associate degrees usually require two years of full-time academic work beyond high school.

# Medical records and health information technicians – $25,590

# Physical therapist assistants – $37,890

# Veterinary technologists and technicians – $18,660

Postsecondary vocational award
Programs to earn these training awards last from a few weeks to more than a year, and are offered at vocational or technical schools.

# Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors – $25,470

# Preschool teachers, except special education – $20,980

# Respiratory therapy technicians – $36,740


Work experience in a related occupation
# Self-enrichment education teachers – $30,880

# Emergency management specialists – $45,390

# Private detectives and investigators – $32,110


Long-term on-the-job training
Training for these jobs usually occurs on-the-job and lasts more than 12 months or combines work experience with formal classroom instruction.

# Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers – $36,260

# Audio and video equipment technicians – $32,570

# Tile and marble setters – $35,410


Moderate-term on-the-job training
Training for these jobs usually occurs in the workplace and lasts one to 12 months.

# Medical assistants – $24,610

# Social and human service assistants – $24,270

# Hazardous materials removal workers – $33,320


Short-term on-the-job training
Training for these jobs usually occurs at the workplace and lasts no more than one month.

# Home health aides – $18,330

# Physical therapist aides – $21,380

# Occupational therapist aides – $23,150

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