The Journal analyzed employment projection data released by the U.S. Labor Department. It gathered data on median wages and projected annual openings, averaging the two metrics to determine a career’s ranking.
Here are the 20 most promising careers in the coming decade:
1. General and operations managers
• 2018 median salary: $100,930
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 230,000
2. Financial managers
• 2018 median salary: $127,990
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 64,900
3. Managers, all other
• 2018 median salary: $107,480
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 91,300
4. Software developers, applications
• 2018 median salary: $103,620
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 99,200
5. Lawyers
• 2018 median salary: $120,910
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 45,700
6. Computer and information systems managers
• 2018 median salary: $142,530
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 38,800
7. Sales managers
• 2018 median salary: $124,220
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 39,000
8. Management analysts
• 2018 median salary: $83,610
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 99,900
9. Software developers
• 2018 median salary: $110,000
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 35,400
10. Medical and health services managers
• 2018 median salary: $99,730
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 42,200
11. Marketing managers
• 2018 median salary: $134,290
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 26,000
12. Computer systems analyst
• 2018 median salary: $88,740
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 53,400
13. Registered nurses
• 2018 median salary: $71,730
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 210,400
14. Construction managers
• 2018 median salary: $93,370
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 40,200
15. Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
• 2018 median salary: $97,370
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 29,400
16. Computer occupations, all other
• 2018 median salary: $90,270
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 35,700
17. Chief executives
• 2018 median salary: $189,600
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 16,800
18. Physicians and surgeons, all other
• 2018 median salary: $200,890
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 16,500
19. Accountants and auditors
• 2018 median salary: $70,500
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 146,000
20. Administrative services managers
• 2018 median salary: $96,180
• Projected annual openings until 2028: 28,100
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Medical group CEO salaries grew nearly 14% in four years
