Web Developer

Web Developer

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The ease with which we navigate information on the Web—a site’s appearance and functionality—is often due to the craftiness of a Web developer. A nearly 22 percent employment swell is anticipated for our No. 9 occupation, with positions available for full-time workers, part-time employees, and those looking to contract their skills.
Median Salary: $77,990
Unemployment Rate: 4.7%

Physical Therapist

Physical Therapist

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As a physical therapist, it’s your job to test, measure, and build the coordination, muscle strength, range of motion, and motor function of your patients. Opportunities—about 77,400 new jobs total this decade—are particularly ripe for those interested in working with older patients.
Median Salary: $78,270
Unemployment Rate: 1.8%

Software Developer

Software Developer

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Of course, writing code is our No. 7 job’s most identifiable trait, but software developers also test and debug software, and help to maintain it in application. Between 2010 and 2020, there should be 143,800 new positions in this field.
Median Salary: $89,280
Unemployment Rate: 4.0%

Database Administrator

Database Administrator

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The more digitized our society becomes, the more important the role of the database administrator becomes. By 2020, we’ll need approximately 33,900 new DBAs to store, organize, manage, and troubleshoot all of the information we store electronically.
Median Salary: $75,190
Unemployment Rate: 1.3%

Physician

Physician

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These Grand Poobahs of medical healthcare should see a 24 percent employment spike to compensate for the number of baby boomers seeking more medical attention, not to mention all generations’ increased focus on preventative medicine.
Median Salary: $183,170
Unemployment Rate: 0.6%

Computer Systems Analyst

Computer Systems Analyst

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These IT project managers must have a firm grasp on how the components within a computer system—hardware, software, and networks—work together. The BLS projects this field will grow 22.1 percent as businesses and organizations rely more on information technology.
Median Salary: $78,770
Unemployment Rate: 2.5%

Pharmacist

Pharmacist

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Even in a tough job market, the unique mix of medical knowledge and people skills required to run a pharmacy counter remains in demand. The BLS projects 25.3 percent employment growth for this field by 2020.
Median Salary: $113,390
Unemployment Rate: 3.1%

Registered Nurse

Registered Nurse

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Study nursing and you could go into care ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics—and it’s this occupation’s expanse that fuels its growth. The BLS predicts 711,900 new nursing jobs before the decade’s close.
Median Salary: $65,690
Unemployment Rate: 2.0%

Dentist

#1 Dentist

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It was Dr. Seuss who wisely opined that “Teeth are always in style.” Dentists certainly believe as much to be true. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects this profession to grow by approximately 21 percent before 2020.
Median Salary: $142,740
Unemployment Rate: 0.7%

The best of the bunch

The best of the bunch

Of course some jobs are simply better than others. Our 100 Best Jobs are the cream of the employment crop for this year and beyond because they blend job opportunity, cushy pay, manageable work-life balance, and security. Check out the 25 that top the list for 2013, and then get cracking on your resume.