With a new year comes new career goals, and for many people that includes a new job.
But an ever-changing job market and predictions of job-stealing robots make it hard to predict what positions will still be in demand in the future.
Using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. News & World Report built this list of 2018's Best Jobs to help job seekers narrow their search. To rank the positions, seven components were measured, including 10-year growth volume, 10-year growth percentage, median salary, employment rate, future job prospects, stress level and work-life balance.
The technology and healthcare industries having the jobs with the strongest combinations of these factors, with software developer and dentist taking the top two spots, respectively. Obstetrician and gynecologist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon and physician rounded out the top 10 list with a tie.
To see the top 10 jobs that offer not only a high salary, but also potential for growth in the future, take a look at the list below.
1. Software Developer
Unemployment rate: 1.6 percent
Median salary: $100,080
10-year growth volume: 253,400 jobs
2. Dentist
Unemployment rate: 0.4 percent
Median salary: $153,900
10-year growth volume: 23,200 jobs
3. Physician Assistant
Unemployment rate: 0.7 percent
Median salary: $101,480
10-year growth volume: 39,700 jobs
4. Nurse Practitioner
Unemployment rate: 0.7 percent
Median salary: $100,910
10-year growth volume: 56,000 jobs
5. Orthodontist
Unemployment rate: 0.4 percent
Median salary: $208,000
10-year growth volume: 1,100 jobs
6. Statistician
Unemployment rate: 1.4 percent
Median salary: $80,500
10-year growth volume: 12,400 jobs
7. Pediatrician
Unemployment rate: 0.5 percent
Median salary: $80,500
10-year growth volume: 5,300 jobs
8. (tie) Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Unemployment rate: 0.5 percent
Median salary: $208,000
10-year growth volume: 3,900 jobs
8. (tie) Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Unemployment rate: 0.5 percent
Median Salary: $208,000
10-year growth volume: 1,200 jobs
8. (tie) Physician
Unemployment rate: 0.5 percent
Median salary: $196,380
10-year growth volume: 8,400
"Technology is the backbone of many of our jobs across the board this year," said Kim Castro, executive editor of U.S. News.
"Nearly every type of company is looking for people who can analyze and interpret data to solve problems. This technological boom is creating new opportunities for statisticians, engineers and software developers – these workers are developing the algorithms that are rapidly changing the global job market."
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