Fastest-growing Illinois careers listed

[January 03, 2011]  Getting ready to begin a career? Maybe you have been contemplating a change in jobs and not sure where the best opportunities currently are. The Illinois Department of Employment Security might help. They have listed on their website the 25 fastest-growing occupations in Illinois for the decade of 2008 to 2018.

Percent growth in employment (and total number of new jobs) by 2018:

1. Biomedical engineers: (395) 58%

2. Home health aides: (12,939) 49%

3. Network systems/data analysts: (3,777) up 46%

4. Preschool teachers: (5,546) up 38%

5. Occupational therapist aides: (200) up 36%

6. Personal/home care aides: (8,753) up 34%

7. Physical assistants: (672) up 32%

8. Skin care specialists: (692) up 32%

9. Medical scientists: (638) up 31%

10. Fitness trainers/instructors: (4,140) up 30%

11. Dental hygienists: (2,182) up 30%

12. Veterinarians: (595) up 30%

13. Self-enrichment teachers: (1,868) up 29%

14. Personal financial advisers: (1,661) up 29%

15. Physical therapists: (2,166) up 29%

16. Physical therapist assistants: (825) up 29%

17. Dental assistants: (3,615) up 29%

18. Veterinary technologists/technicians: (565) up 29%

19. Survey researchers: (217) up 29%

20. Occupational therapists: (1,250) up 28%

21. Physical therapist aides: (575) up 28%

22. Employment/recruitment specialists: (2,774) up 28%

23. Medical assistants: (4,506) up 28%

24. Computer software engineers: (4,858) up 27%

25. Social/human service assistants: (3,460) up 27%

[Illinois Department of Employment Security and LDN]