The Most Wanted Jobs in America

Whether you are a high school student thinking about what you want to do with your life, a college graduate just entering the job market, or an adult looking into switching careers - it is important to know what jobs are in demand.

While the news media focuses on jobs that are being outsourced or becoming obsolete, there are other sectors where jobs are being created every day! Some of the fastest growing fields are concentrated in the service sector - areas in business, healthcare, and social services.

Keep reading for five of the most in-demand jobs in America!

Accountants work to ensure that businesses run efficiently, public records are kept accurately, and that taxes are paid correctly and on time. Accountants are also responsible for analyzing financial information for companies, clients, the government, and consumers.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment of accountants to grow by 22 percent - an increase of over 200,000 jobs - between 2008 and 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

A bachelor's degree is required to become an accountant, but in order to increase marketability, it is recommended that prospective accountants obtain a master's degree and receive certification as a certified public accountant (CPA.)

The median annual wage of an accountant in 2008 was $59,430.

Special education teachers are educators that work specifically with children and youth with disabilities, modifying the general education curriculum to meet individual needs of the students.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 17% increase in jobs for teachers in the special education field, due to a high turnover and a difficulty in finding qualified candidates for the job.

People looking into entering this field will most likely require a bachelor's degree - most states require it. However; to stand out even more, a master's degree is recommended.

Salary for someone entering this position is usually on or slightly above the same pay scale as that of a general education teacher, due to the specialized care these teachers are required to provide, as well as the demand for qualified individuals to fill these jobs. The median salary of a special education teacher in 2008 was $50,020.

Pharmacists are responsible for distributing prescription drugs to individuals and advising patients and physicians on dosage and side effects of medication. They can be hired by the government, health care facilities, or private corporations.

The increase of technology and improvements in the field of medicine have allowed for treatments for diseases that were once considered incurable or untreatable. It has allowed the population to live longer, and along with the increase of aging Baby Boomers, Pharmacy has become one of the fastest-growing fields. It is expected to increase by 17% over the coming years.

In order to become a pharmacist, one must obtain a Pharm.D degree and licensing, and most students complete a two-year fellowship program before entering the workforce.

The earning potential for someone interested in this field is quite impressive. The median annual salary in 2008 was $106,410. Earnings for pharmacists working for private companies tend to be significantly higher than that of pharmacists employed by the government.

For many of the same reasons that pharmacists are experiencing a surge in job openings, nursing is another career in high-demand. An aging population and increase in medical discovery has caused the field of nursing to experience fantastic growth.

RN's are responsible for treating patients, educating patients about medical conditions, and providing advice and emotional support to patient's families. They must record medical histories, interpret symptoms, help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, operate medical machinery, and administer treatment and medication.

Becoming an RN requires an associate's or bachelor's degree - although many RN's who earn an associate's degree tend to return to school later to earn their bachelor's, as it provides many more opportunities. Licensing is also required to practice.

Registered Nurses make up the greatest percentage of jobs in the healthcare field - holding over 2.6 million jobs. The field is expected to increase by 22%, with the highest demand in physician's offices and hospice health care.

As offices grow significantly more reliant on technology, the role of office workers has undergone an incredible evolution. Today's administrative assistants are now responsible for many tasks that were once reserved only for managerial and professional staff. The main responsibilities of administrative assistants include performing and coordinating an office's administrative activities and storing, retrieving, and integrating information for dissemination to staff and clients.

It is recommended that candidates for administrative assistant jobs obtain an associate's or bachelor's degree; however, it is possible to enter this field with just a high school diploma. It is also recommended that people interested in this field obtain certification and licensing.

Administrative assistants hold over 4.3 millions jobs - one of the largest occupations in the United States. These jobs are expected to increase by 11%, at about the national average of growth, but it remains at the top of the list for new job opportunities.

Other fields that are on the rise include management, human resources, engineering, computer science, physical therapy, and information technology.

A rewarding career is just around the corner!