The 10 Fastest-Growing Jobs in the U.S. - MainStreet

Many Americans rejoiced at the news that the economy added nearly 250,000 jobs in January, but that's only the tip of the iceberg. The economy is expected to add more than 20 million jobs by 2020, a 14.3% increase from 2010 in the number of people employed, according to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many of these jobs will be focused in a few key industries, such as health care, social assistance, construction and retail industries.

MainStreet listed the 10 professions expected to expand at the fastest pace as follows (note that all require some postsecondary education and training):

Personal Care Aides
Median wage for personal care aides was $19,640 in 2010
Employment in 2010: 861,000 workers
Projected Employment in 2020: 1,468,000 workers
Increase: 69.4%
More details of how to enter the personal care aides field

Home Health Aides
Median wage for home health aides was $20,560 in 2010
Employment in 2010: 1,017,700 workers
Projected Employment in 2020: 1,723,900 workers
Increase: 69.4%
More details of how to enter the home health aides field

Biomedical Engineers
Median salary in 2010 was also more than $80,000
Employment in 2010: 15,700 workers
Projected Employment in 2020: 25,400 workers
Increase: 61.7%
More details of how to enter the biomedical field

Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, Tile & Marble Setters
Median wage in 2010 was $27,780
Employment in 2010: 29,400 workers
Projected Employment in 2020: 47,000 workers
Increase: 60.1%
More details of how to enter the masonry field

Carpenters
Median wage in 2010 was $25,760.
Employment in 2010: 46,500 workers
Projected Employment in 2020: 72,400 workers
Increase: 60.1%
More details of how to enter carpentry

Veterinary Technologists & Technicians
Median salary of $30,000 in 2010
Employment in 2010: 80,200 workers
Projected Employment in 2020: 121,900 workers
Increase: 52%
More details of how to enter the veterinary field

Reinforcing Iron & Rebar Workers
Median salary in 2010 was $38,430
Employment in 2010: 19,100 workers
Projected Employment in 2020: 28,400 workers
Increase: 48.6%
More details of how to enter the iron workers field

Physical Therapist Assistants
Median salary $50,000
Employment in 2010: 67,400 workers
Projected Employment in 2020: 98,200 workers
Increase: 45.7%
More details of how to enter the physical therapy field ...

Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters
Median salary of $26,740 in 2010
Employment in 2010: 57,900 workers
Projected Employment in 2020: 84,200 workers
Increase: 45.4%
More details of how to enter this field

Meeting, Convention & Event Planners
Median salary of $45,260 in 2010.
Employment in 2010: 71,600 workers
Projected Employment in 2020: 102,900 workers
Increase: 43.7%
More details of how to enter the event management field