The 100 Best Jobs
All jobs aren't created equal. In fact, some are simply better than the rest. U.S. News 100 Best Jobs of 2013 are the occupations that offer a mosaic of employment opportunity, good salary, manageable work-life balance, and job security. Some careers offer just the right mix of these components—for instance, our top tier is filled with tech and healthcare jobs—but the list also includes strong showings from occupations in the social services and business sectors. Even construction jobs enter the fray this year. Read more on how we rank the best jobs, and check out our full list.
From the smocked attendants who bag your groceries to the convenience-store clerks who scan your favorite magazines, cashiers are all around us. Quick on their feet, they often combine basic mathematical skills with a friendly disposition to keep lines moving and shopping aisles clear.
People who don’t mind a little hard work and heavy lifting will always be needed for janitorial jobs, and this is particularly true within healthcare facilities. So submit your application fast—the Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts nearly 250,000 new janitor positions by 2020.
As legend teaches us, Benjamin Franklin became our first electrician when he flew his 18th-century kite in a lightning storm. Today’s professionals take a much safer approach to installing and maintaining electrical and lighting systems. The Labor Department predicts more than 130,000 new electricians will join the construction industry by 2020.
Driving a delivery truck is a little like being Santa Claus all year. And these workers have become more important as we continue to buy more goods on the Internet that need to be transported directly from the warehouse to our front door. Expect more than 125,000 new jobs for drivers in the coming years.
In this economy, you have a greater chance of finding employment as a maid if you’ve already got some housekeeping work beneath your apron. The Labor Department reports that companies that contract cleaning services to offices and other facilities will need to fill more positions this decade.
Carpentry is one of the most versatile occupations in construction, since workers must master a variety of skills. Carpenters are trained to handle both small tasks, like constructing kitchen cabinets, and large jobs, like repairing bridges. The Labor Department reports that by the year 2020, there should be 196,000 new workers in residential, commercial, and industrial carpentry.
Security guards prevent fire hazards, larceny, and vandalism. They assist during emergency procedures and safeguard against possibly dangerous situations. Intrigued? You’ll be pleased to know that they report high job satisfaction, and the profession is expected to grow by 18.8 percent in the next few years.
Variety is one of the pluses of working as a general construction worker. These laborers could help with digging tunnels underground, repairing highways on the ground, and constructing skyscrapers up above. By 2020, there will be an astronomical 212,400 new positions in this occupation.
Constructing commercial aircraft, household appliances, automobiles, and toys is a team sport, and the players are called fabricators. Consider this occupation if you’ve always been curious about how products are put together. Just keep in mind that some areas of this field will see greater hiring opportunity than others. Structural metal fabricators will experience 16 percent job growth from now to 2020.
Before you protest too much or screen your calls, hear us out: Telemarketing can make an excellent moonlighting gig for someone who needs extra funds but has limited time. They make a median salary of $22,520 and many only work part-time.
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- Best Jobs Rankings
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Best Jobs of 2013 — See our full list of industries and their jobs.
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Best Business Jobs — Expect nearly 4 million openings in this industry this decade.
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Best Creative Jobs — Three hot jobs where right-brain thinking truly pays off.
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Best Healthcare Jobs — The medical field is classified by good salaries and great job security.
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Best Social Services Jobs — These 30 jobs are more than a choice, they’re a calling.
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Best Construction Jobs — Ten great jobs that prove this field is coming back strong.
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Best Technology Jobs — Nine of the fastest-growing and top-paying jobs available now.
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