10. Sales Director

The 10 Best Jobs in America

Sector: Sales and Marketing

Job Growth (10-Year Forecast): 10%

Why It's Great: Top sales directors are highly sought after, and directors often move into high-level management.

Drawbacks: Commission-based pay can drastically fluctuate, and sales directors spend a lot of time on the road.

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10. Sales Direct... Sector: Sales and Marketing

Job Growth (10-Year Forecast): 10%

Why It's Great: Top sales directors are highly sought after, and directors often move into high-level management.

Drawbacks: Commission-based pay can drastically fluctuate, and sales directors spend a lot of time on the road.
9. Intelligence ... Sector: Government

Job Growth (10-Year Forecast): 15%

Why It's Great: The job involves a sense of adventure; analysts collect data from sources like satellite images, wiretaps, and spy reports.

Drawbacks: The job is stressful and you can't talk about it outside of work.
8. Computer Netw... Sector: Information Technology

Job Growth (10-Year Forecast): 27%

Why It's Great: As new technology and creative hijackers evolve, the field remains challenging. Consultants can often work from home, and top pros can earn big paychecks.

Drawbacks: If a system is cracked into by a virus or hacker, the consultant's career could be over.
7. Physical Ther... Sector: Healthcare

Job Growth (10-Year Forecast): 27%

Why It's Great: An aging population means more chronic conditions that need physical therapy treatment. There's also no overnight or shift work.

Drawbacks: The job can be physically demanding.
6. Accountant Sector: Financial

Job Growth (10-Year Forecast): 18%

Why It's Great: Businesses started to hire more CPA's after hefty accounting scandals earlier in the decade.

Drawbacks: Deadlines aren't negotiable and tax preparation time can consume your personal life.
5. Information T... Sector: Information Technology

Job Growth (10-Year Forecast): 16%

Why It's Great: Many companies are constantly searching for great, tech-savvy managers. Managers can rise within a company, where salaries can reach $300,000.

Drawbacks: The job requires hours and hours of meetings and fierce project deadlines.
4. Nurse Practit... Sector: Healthcare

Job Growth (10-Year Forecast): 23%

Why It's Great: Job opportunities are plentiful anywhere from hospitals and urgent care centers to private practices.

Drawbacks: Education requirements are insistent, and many insurance headaches accompany the job.
3. College Profe... Sector: Education

Job Growth (10-Year Forecast): 23%

Why It's Great: Professors have major scheduling freedom; they can basically decide how and when they'll get their work done. Their family members are also eligible for reduced or free tuition.

Drawbacks: College professors have a low starting pay, and there's a big salary gap between community colleges and universities.
2. Physician Ass... Sector: Healthcare

Job Growth (10-Year Forecast): 27%

Why It's Great: A PA doesn't have to take on the time and expense of medical school. Plus, the field is virtually recession-proof due to an ongoing shortage of primary-care physicians.

Drawbacks: The number of yearly job openings is small as the job is a fairly new profession.
1. Systems Engin... Sector: Information Technology

Job Growth (10-Year Forecast): 45%

Why It's Great: Demand is high for systems engineers, and pay can easily reach six figures for top performers.

Drawbacks: Long hours are common and project deadlines are extremely demanding.