About Careers and Salaries
Learn About Careers and Salaries - Advances in technology, changes in consumer habits, an aging population, and the increase in offshore jobs, among other factors, result in a dynamic job market. Employment trends are constantly evolving, and jobs that are popular one day can quickly become obsolete as these changes occur. Based on expected growth and the number of anticipated job openings from the U.S. Department of Labor, here are 12 hot careers and how much they pay on average.

$67,430 - Accountants and auditors examine, analyze, interpret, and prepare accounting records and can work in a variety of settings. The anticipated employment growth indicates that each year 49,750 jobs will be available, with a 30 percent increase in total positions.

$70,930 - Financial examiners ensure and enforce compliance with laws and regulations pertaining to financial, securities, and real estate transactions. With increased awareness of fraud and the need for regulatory compliance, financial examiners are set for an estimated 41 percent increase in total employment, with over 38,000 positions by 2018.

$68,200 - Personal financial advisors assist clients by determining and preparing to meet each client's financial goals, including investment strategies and retirement planning. This field can expect to see a 30 percent increase in employment, with over 60,000 positions being created in the next eight years.

$91,570 - General and operations managers are responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating the operations of public and private companies. While the employment growth is expected to be low, the yearly outlook is good, providing 50,220 job openings.

$84,650 - Management analysts study, evaluate, and implement procedures and policies to help management perform efficiently and effectively. Because management analysts can help companies operate more efficiently (and therefore become more cost effective), this position is in demand and should see a 24 percent increase in employment, with 30,650 job openings.

$32,453 - $49,919 - Qualified elementary school teachers are in demand for both public and private school settings. Initiatives in certain geographical locations have actually produced a temporary surplus of teachers; however, the overall employment trends for elementary school teachers will increase 16 percent, with an expected 59,650 job openings.

$53,150 - Post-secondary teachers work in educational institutions such as vocational schools, academies, community colleges, and universities, and often perform a combination of both teaching and research. Job growth is expected to increase by 15 percent, with 55,290 jobs being available.

$66,530 - Registered nurses are vital to the success of the health care system and often provide the most direct patient care. Due to health care worker shortages, registered nurses are, and should continue to be, in high demand, with an estimated 103,900 job openings in the next eight years.

$84.830 - Physician's assistants provide health care services similar to those provided by physicians, while under a physician's supervision. The demand for physician's assistants has increased with an attempt to provide timelier, cost-effective patient care. The projected job growth indicates a 39 percent increase in positions, with estimated openings in the 104,000 range by 2018.

$84,760 - Medical scientists work in a variety of settings, applying engineering, biology, and biomechanical principles towards the research and development of health systems and products. Medical scientists can expect to see a 40 percent increase in employment, with 40,000 additional job openings on the way.

Network Systems and Data Communications Specialists: $76,560
While many technology positions have been moved offshore, there should still be a demand for network systems and data communications specialists. These workers, who analyze, design, test, and evaluate network systems, can expect a 53 percent increase in job numbers, with close to 450,000 openings by 2018.

$39,260 - Truck drivers transport and deliver goods while driving a tractor-trailer or other truck with a gross vehicle weight of at least 26,000 pounds. This field already employs approximately 1.8 million people, and job growth is expected to reach 13 percent, with 55,460 jobs available each year.