Top 5 Jobs in Thriving Industries

You want a career that will not only survive tough economic times, but also thrive, during and after the recession. Knowing which industries are booming and which careers have the best future outlook can help you make informed decisions about your career future, especially if you fear you may be in a floundering industry.

The good news is, there are plenty of promising careers in top industries today that are predicted to perform as well or better in coming years. The jobs listed here all ranked high on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) list of fast-growing careers. The best of the best are profiled below, chosen by job outlook, length of job training needed, and average annual salary.

Hot Health Care Careers
"Rapid growth in demand for health services" is expected throughout 2016, according to the BLS. An aging baby boomer population, coupled with potential changes via health care reform, could mean that the demand for health care workers will likely increase even more in coming years.



Registered Nurse
There are currently 2.5 million registered nurses in the U.S, making it the largest health care occupation. However, this is not nearly enough--the BLS predicts that 587,000 new nurses will be needed by 2016. This could make opportunities for registered nurses excellent, and a top choice for caring individuals looking for a hands-on health care career.

Career Training: A certificate, associate degree in nursing (ADN), or bachelor's degree in nursing (BDN) are the three traditional routes to becoming a nurse.
Average Annual Salary: $65,130.

Pharmacy Technician
Yes, nurses are in high demand, but so are the medical technicians who assist them. Pharmacy technicians, for example, are expected to see an impressive 32 percent job growth over the coming years.

Career Training: Some formal training, such as a certificate as a pharmacy technician, may appeal to potential employers. Pharmacy technicians are sometimes trained on the job, and others may stay competitive with relevant work experience.
Average Annual Salary: $28,500.

Information Technology on the Rise
Techies will continue to find job opportunities in an economy that relies more and more on the Internet and computer technology of all kinds. Businesses rely on computers to stay connected and share information, and skilled individuals will be consistently in demand to keep up with rapidly developing technology.

Network Systems and Data Communications Analyst
This career tops the BLS's list of fastest-growing jobs in the U.S. Job outlook for the computer science and database administration field is very high, with 37 percent growth expected by 2016. As computer networking becomes more vital, trained professionals will be in high demand, making this a potentially promising career for computer-oriented job seekers.

Career Training: A bachelor's degree in computer science, management information systems (MIS), or information science is the best way to prepare for a career in computer science.
Average Annual Salary: $73,830.

Computer Software Engineer (Applications)
Another career expected to see increases in employment over the coming years, computer software engineers design, develop, and test the software that makes our computers run. That makes these professionals invaluable in today's economy, and their numbers are expected to rise by 30 percent, or about 324,000 new jobs, by 2016.

Career Training: Job prospects will be best for those with a bachelor's degree in an area like computer science or software engineering. Hands-on knowledge doesn't hurt either; most employers will be impressed by relevant work experience in the field.
Average Annual Salary: $87,900.

Sound Financial Advice
Jobs in finance and insurance are predicted to see rapid growth over the coming years. As baby boomers enter their peak years for saving and investing, trustworthy financial advisors, accountants, and planners will likely be of high value. Overall, finance and insurance industries are expected to add over 800,000 jobs by the year 2016, marking a 13.2 percent jump in employment.

Personal Financial Advisor
Recent headline-making financial scandals have made most investors wary, meaning that credible, honest financial advisors are likely to be in high demand. Proving your worth to investors may mean building a reputation over time, but the rewards can be plentiful for established financial advisors.

Career Training: Personal financial advisors generally should have a bachelor's degree, and a master's degree in business or finance can be a great idea for getting ahead in the field.
Average Annual Salary: $92,970.

It's the nature of our economy that career trends shift. However, staying ahead of the curve can serve you well in a tumultuous economy. Plan ahead for a career path that will thrive in future years, and ride out the economic waves with confidence.

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